Lotto Hot Picks!

» The UK National Lottery Hot Picks Game

The UK National Lottery Hot Picks game is what is known as an add on game but it can also be played as a standalone. It offers prizes for matching fewer numbers than with the main lottery draw (even if you only match one number!) but the jackpot is smaller. You use the main draw numbers to play so you can play this adjacent to or independent of the main draw.

Here is more about this unusual game.

» How to play

Hot Picks is played using the six numbers from the main lottery draw. These numbers are drawn on a Wednesday and Saturday in the UK in the evening and results can be checked via numerous internet sites, on the television in the UK, on Teletext in the UK and also via the newspapers. You can also watch the results via internet TV if you live in another country.

Hot Picks can be played online but also with a play slip (different from the main lottery slip). The player can choose whether to play on a Saturday or a Wednesday and you can buy in advance for up to 8 weeks.

You choose from numbers 1-49 but don’t forget with Hot Picks, you must remember to choose the NUMBER of balls you are matching too. Online and on the ticket, this is known as ‘Pick 1, Pick 2, Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5’.

The player has to match anything from 1 to 5 numbers but they can also choose the amount of numbers they want to match. Therefore, you could choose to match only one number from the 6 that are drawn and if your number is there you win a prize. Or you could choose to match four numbers only, but you then need to match all four to win, you cannot just match say, three if you have chosen to play with four numbers. Remember that the fewer the numbers you pick the smaller the prize but the greater the likelihood you will win a prize.

This game is great if you have one lucky number or if you have noticed a pattern with single numbers that always seem to get picked. The chances of matching one number are 1:9 which are pretty good odds!

» Prizes

If you pick and match one number you will win £5. If you pick and match 2 numbers the prize is £40. If you pick and match three, the prize is £450 and for four numbers £7,000, and for five is £130,000. You cannot match six numbers in this game, the maximum is five numbers.

Like with the main lottery draw, the jackpot can vary depending on the amount of winners.

If you are playing the lottery, why not give hot picks a try too? It adds a fun alternative to just playing the main draw, and also a greater chance of winning a small prize.