New Jersey Pick 4 FAQs

NJ’s Pick 4 lottery looks pretty simple, but there’s a lot of depth thanks to all the different play types and optional extras. Whether you’re looking for a guide to the Fireball, claiming prizes, or just want to know when the draws are – check down below.

Question: When are the Pick 4 drawings?

Answer: New Jersey holds two Pick 4 drawings every day. The Midday drawing is at 12:59 PM and the Evening drawing is at 10:57 PM.

Question: What time do Pick 4 ticket sales close?

Answer: If you want to enter the next upcoming draw, get your tickets before 12:53 PM for the Midday draw, or 10:53 PM for the Evening draw. Tickets purchased after the cutoff will be for the draw on the following day.

Question: How do you play NJ Pick 4?

Answer: Head to a NJ Lottery retailer and get a playslip. Select four numbers from 0 to 9 (you can pick the same number more than once!), select a play type, and choose how much you want to wager on your ticket. Finally, decide whether to use the optional Fireball or Instant Match add-ons for more chances to win. For a full guide, head to our main NJ Pick 4 page.

Question: What are all the different Play Types for NJ Pick 4?

Answer: In New Jersey Pick 4, players can choose from Straight, Box, Straight/Box, Wheel, and Pair plays. How exactly each of these works is covered in detail on our main NJ Pick 4 page.

Question: What is the Fireball add-on?

Answer: The Fireball is an optional add-on that doubles the cost of your play, but significantly increases your odds of winning a prize. You can read all about the Fireball in our guide on the main NJ Pick 4 page.

Question: What are the different “Ways to play”?

Answer: For the Box, Straight/Box, and Wheel play types, using the same digit more than once in your play actually affects the odds, prizes, and ticket costs! You can check the full details in the guide on our main NJ Pick 4 page.

Question: How much do Pick 4 tickets cost?

Answer: Pick 4 plays cost as little as $0.50 for Straight, Box, or Pair plays. On the other hand, if you want to play a 24-Way Wheel, bet the maximum wager amount ($5), and use the Fireball and Instant Match add-ons, your ticket will cost you $241, which is silly, but technically possible (24 x $5 x 2 + $1).

Question: How much can I win playing Pick 4?

Answer: The top prize for a $1 Straight play is $5,000, which you can win by matching all four numbers in the order they’re drawn. If you were to wager the maximum of $5, you could win up to $25,000!

Question: Can I play Pick 4 in advance?

Answer: Yes, using your playslip, you can enter your numbers into the next 7 consecutive drawings.

Question: What are the odds of winning Pick 4?

Answer: Your chances of winning a Straight play for the top prize in Pick 4 are 1 in 10,000. If you opt for a pair play, your odds are a much friendlier 1 in 25. Adding the Fireball to your play will boost your prize odds too, although if you require the Fireball number to make your winning combination, the prize will be slightly lower. You can check the full odds & prizes table on our NJ Pick 4 Prizes page.

Question: Does Pick 4 have an age limit?

Answer: Yes, you must be at least 18 to play NJ Pick 4.

Question: I won! How can I claim my prize?

Answer: Prizes under $600 can be redeemed at any NJ Lottery retailer. If you’re out of state and can’t go to a NJ store, you can mail your winning ticket along with a completed NJ Lottery claims form to the following address:
New Jersey Lottery
Attn: Validations
P.O. Box 041
Trenton, NJ 08625-0041

Question: What is the cut-off time for claiming a prize?

Answer: NJ Lottery tickets (including Pick 4) will expire exactly 1 year from the date of the winning draw, so be sure to cash in any prizes before then!