Oz Lotto is one of Australia’s most popular lottery games, offering large jackpot prizes that can change lives. Players choose 7 numbers from 1-45, and to win the jackpot you need to match all 7 winning numbers drawn. With odds of 1 in over 45 million, matching all 7 is incredibly difficult. This leads many players to wonder if matching fewer numbers, like 3, could still win you something.
How Oz Lotto Works
Oz Lotto draws take place every Tuesday night at 8:30pm AEST. To play, you’ll need to pick 7 numbers from a possible 45. Each game costs $2, and you can play up to 10 consecutive weeks in advance if you want. At each draw, 7 winning numbers and 2 supplementary numbers are randomly selected.
To win the division 1 jackpot, you’ll need to match all 7 winning numbers. The minimum guaranteed amount is $2 million, but it often climbs much higher before a winner is found. Lower prizes are also available:
| Prize Division | Matches | Odds (1 in) | Average Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| Division 1 | 7 winning numbers | 45,379,620 | $3 – $80 million |
| Division 2 | 6 winning numbers + 1 or 2 supplementary numbers | 773,675 | $2,000 – $120,000 |
| Division 3 | 6 winning numbers | 36,689 | $500 – $5,000 |
| Division 4 | 5 winning numbers | 814 | $100 – $500 |
| Division 5 | 4 winning numbers | 57 | $20 – $150 |
| Division 6 | 3 winning numbers + 1 or 2 supplementary numbers | 18 | $12 |
| Division 7 | 1 or 2 winning numbers + 2 supplementary numbers | 8 | $9 |
As you can see, only matching 3 main numbers does not qualify you for any prize divisions in Oz Lotto. This is because the game requires you to match at least 4 main numbers to win Division 5.
Why You Need At Least 4 Numbers
Oz Lotto requires players to match a minimum of 4 numbers to win anything for two key reasons:
1. Maintain large jackpot prizes
By limiting minor prizes, more of the prize pool can be directed to the Division 1 jackpot. This enables Oz Lotto to offer life-changing multi-million dollar prizes that lure in more players chasing that elusive dream. If small prizes were paid out too freely, the jackpot would grow slower, dragging down overall interest.
2. Reasonable odds of winning
If prizes started from just 3 numbers, the odds would be far too achievable. With Division 5 odds already at 1 in 814, paying out for 3 numbers (1 in 120) would see almost every second ticket win something. This would make the game unsustainable due to massive payouts each week – ticket prices would likely have to double to compensate.
By only paying from 4 numbers, Oz Lotto keeps prizes affordable while still giving players a reasonable shot at claiming something back.
Your Chances of Winning with 3 Numbers
Given the game’s rules, what are your actual odds of winning a prize if you match 3 numbers? Sadly, there is simply no chance.
The odds of matching 3 of the 7 main numbers are calculated by:
45C3 x 38C4
This means 3 numbers chosen from 45 possibilities, then 4 numbers chosen from the remaining 38, giving odds of 1 in 20,155.
As this doesn’t qualify you for any prize division, 3 numbers are technically worth nothing in Oz Lotto. Your chance of winning anything is 0%.
You can compare this to the odds for other prize divisions:
| Prize Division | Number of Matches | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Division 1 | 7 winning numbers | 1 in 45,379,620 |
| Division 2 | 6 + 1-2 supp | 1 in 773,675 |
| Division 3 | 6 winning numbers | 1 in 36,689 |
| Division 4 | 5 winning numbers | 1 in 814 |
| Division 5 | 4 winning numbers | 1 in 57 |
| Division 6 | 3 + 1-2 supp | 1 in 18 |
| Division 7 | 1-2 + 2 supp | 1 in 8 |
As you can see, Division 5 with 4 numbers is the minimum prize tier, with odds of 1 in 57. Matching 3 gives you no chance at all.
Can You Ever Win With Just 3 Numbers?
The simple answer is no – the Oz Lotto format makes it impossible to win anything with only 3 matched numbers. The game’s structure simply does not allow for it.
Some lottery games in other countries do pay out prizes for matching just 3 numbers. For example, Powerball in the USA offers a $7 prize for getting 3 numbers right.
But Oz Lotto does not have any spot on the prize table for matching 3 alone. The lowest prize tier is for 4 numbers, so 3 is worthless.
The only way your 3 numbers could win is if the supplementary numbers turned your selection into Division 6 or 7:
- Division 6 – Match 3 main numbers and 1 or 2 supplementaries
- Division 7 – Match 1 or 2 main numbers and both supplementaries
As supplementaries are random, you cannot rely on them to make 3 numbers worthwhile. Your base selection still needs to include at least 4 winning numbers.
Strategies for Making 3 Numbers Count
Given 3 numbers alone won’t win you anything, what strategies could you use to leverage 3 correct numbers to your advantage? Here are some approaches:
1. Use them as the base for a System or Pick Entry
With a System or Pick entry, you play more than one game across the same draw. If your 3 numbers were part of a System with a range of number combinations, any matching 4+ numbers across those games could see you win a prize.
2. Include them in a Syndicate
Enter your 3 numbers into a syndicate, where they are combined with other players’ selections in a range of entries. A match with other numbers chosen by syndicate members could be enough for a share of a prize.
3. Try them again next week
Use those 3 numbers as a base and choose 4 different numbers to make up the 7. If your original 3 numbers are drawn again, you only need 1 more match to win Division 5.
4. Register them for multiple weeks
Enter the same numbers across a 10 week register period. If they are drawn within those 10 weeks, you’ll have a chance at a prize as long as you match 4+ that week.
Should You Ever Enter Just 3 Numbers?
There is no point ever submitting only 3 numbers into Oz Lotto. As we’ve seen, this gives you zero chance of winning anything at all. It would simply be a waste of money.
To have any shot at a prize, your entry needs to include a minimum of 4 numbers. Never enter just 3 numbers on their own:
- Single game entry – Make sure you fill all 7 number selections.
- System or Pick entry – Have combinations covering at least 4 spots.
- Syndicate – Try to get 4-7 numbers included across members.
Entering anything less than 4 numbers with no supplementaries covered essentially throws your ticket in the trash. Make sure you are giving yourself a reasonable chance at winning.
Can Unregistered Numbers Still Win?
All winning Oz Lotto numbers are drawn randomly, whether a player has registered those numbers or not. So it is technically possible for an unregistered selection of 3 numbers to be drawn.
However, with no ticket containing those 3 numbers purchased, there is no way for anyone to actually claim a prize. The 3 numbers remain worthless unless a matching ticket is bought.
For example, if numbers 7, 18 and 22 were drawn with no corresponding ticket, no prize could be awarded. Those numbers are of no value to anyone.
So while unregistered number combinations can be drawn, they cannot create a prize without a matching ticket. Don’t rely on random luck alone – make sure you purchase a ticket with the required minimum 4 matching numbers.
Should You Ever Play 3 Consecutive Numbers?
While consecutive numbers like 7, 8 and 9 or 31, 32 and 33 are technically as likely as any other trio, it’s generally not a good idea to play sequences in lotteries.
Some key reasons to avoid consecutive numbers:
- Many players avoid them based on superstition, so if they are drawn you’re more likely to have to share a prize.
- If they appear in a Syndicate, you’re sharing the prize with more people.
- Having no other separating numbers means you need more matches within your other 4 selections to win anything.
In Oz Lotto, consecutive numbers should always be avoided as part of your main 7 selections. The focus should be spreading out your numbers across the whole 1-45 range where possible.
However, if you did match 3 consecutive numbers, they could be useful as supplementaries in Divisions 6 and 7. Though even then, having 1-2 other separating numbers is likely to narrow the sharing of any prize.
Key Takeaways
The main points to remember about playing only 3 numbers in Oz Lotto are:
- You need a minimum of 4 main numbers to qualify for any prize.
- Matching just 3 numbers gives you a 0% chance of winning anything.
- Leverage 3 numbers by combining them with more in Multis, Systems and Syndicates to improve your odds.
- Never enter just 3 numbers on their own, play properly with 7 to have a reasonable shot.
- Unregistered 3 numbers alone cannot create a prize unless someone matches them on a ticket.
- Avoid consecutive number sequences where possible for best results.
Ultimately, while Oz Lotto gives you great freedom to choose your own numbers, the game’s structure means 3 alone are never worth anything. Play smart, not minimal.
Conclusion
Oz Lotto offers amazing jackpot prizes but requires players to match a minimum of 4 numbers to win any payout. Matching just 3 of the 7 main numbers gives you no chance at a prize.
To leverage 3 correct numbers, include them as part of a larger System or Syndicate entry across more games. That way, your 3 can combine with other numbers for a shot at Divisions 4-7. But never enter just 3 numbers on a single game – you’ll simply be throwing your money away.
Aim for spreading your numbers widely across the whole range. And remember – more is more when playing Oz Lotto. Backing your 3 numbers up with 4 or more across multiple entries will maximize your odds of success.
