Many players buy a Lotto ticket, check the draw, and then wonder what their mix of main numbers and the bonus ball actually means. It is not always obvious which combinations qualify for a prize and which do not.
This guide explains how Lotto prize tiers work, where the bonus ball fits in, and whether one main number plus the bonus ball pays out. It also looks at EuroMillions and Thunderball, clarifies the odds that are officially published, and clears up a few common misunderstandings so you can read results with confidence.
Read on to learn more.
How Are Prize Tiers Defined In The UK Lotto?
In the UK Lotto, prizes are grouped into tiers based on how many main numbers are matched. The more main numbers, the higher the tier. The current structure includes set amounts for most tiers and a shared jackpot at the top.
Matching all six main numbers wins the jackpot. Matching five main numbers and the bonus ball pays £1,000,000, while five main numbers without the bonus ball pays £1,750. Four main numbers pays £140, three main numbers pays £30, and matching two main numbers gives a free Lucky Dip for a future Lotto draw.
Prize amounts can change for special events or promotional draws, so it is sensible to confirm the latest breakdown on the official site before claiming. The key idea is that each tier has a clear requirement, and only those combinations pay.
So, where does one main number plus the bonus ball fit into that picture?
Does 1 Number And The Bonus Ball Win Anything In The National Lottery?
In Lotto, the bonus ball only matters when a ticket already has five main numbers. Its job is to separate “five” from “five plus bonus” and create an extra prize tier between five matches and the jackpot.
A ticket that matches one main number and the bonus ball does not qualify for a prize in Lotto. Prize tiers begin at two main numbers, which return a free Lucky Dip, with higher tiers requiring more main numbers matched.
If in doubt, check the official prize table for the draw you entered. It sets out exactly which combinations are eligible and removes any guesswork.
Do EuroMillions And Thunderball Count The Extra Number The Same Way?
Not quite. Each game uses its extra numbers differently.
In EuroMillions, players choose five main numbers plus two Lucky Stars. The Lucky Stars are part of the combinations that make up the prize tiers. Payouts depend on the mix of main numbers and Lucky Stars together. Matching only a Lucky Star without enough main numbers is not a paying result, and the lowest prize tiers typically start with at least two matched numbers in total.
Thunderball works differently again. Players pick five main numbers and one Thunderball, and the Thunderball forms part of several prize tiers. In fact, matching only the Thunderball can return a small fixed prize, and combining it with main numbers leads to higher tiers. This is a separate game with its own table and fixed prize amounts, so expectations should be set by Thunderball’s specific rules.
With those differences in mind, you might be wondering how odds are presented for results that do not pay out.
What Are The Odds Of Matching One Main Number And The Bonus Ball?
There are no official odds listed for one main number plus the bonus ball in Lotto, because that combination is not a prize tier. Official odds are published only for combinations that do pay.
For context, the published odds for paying tiers include figures such as approximately 1 in 10 for matching two main numbers, 1 in 97 for three main numbers, and progressively longer odds for four or more matches. The jackpot sits at long odds, while the five plus bonus tier is less rare than the jackpot but still very unlikely.
So, although it is possible to work out the mathematics behind a non-paying result, it is not part of the official odds because it never triggers a payout.
How Do I Check If I Matched The Bonus Ball?
Start with the official results for that draw, which list six main numbers followed by a separate bonus ball. The bonus ball is drawn from the remaining pool after the main numbers, and it is not a number printed separately on your ticket. If the bonus ball happens to be one of the numbers you chose, then you have matched it.
From there, look at how many main numbers you matched. The bonus ball only affects a result when there are already five main numbers on the ticket. If there are fewer than five, the bonus ball does not change the prize tier. For peace of mind, compare your ticket against the official prize table for that draw so you can see exactly where it sits.
You can check numbers on the National Lottery website, via their app, or at an authorised retailer. Keep your ticket safe until you are certain of the outcome. If you prefer, use our results page to cross-check the draw in one place.
These checks also help clear up a few myths that often cause confusion.
Common Misconceptions About Matching The Bonus Ball
A frequent misunderstanding is that any appearance of the bonus ball on a ticket should return a prize. In Lotto, it does not work that way. The bonus ball only has value alongside five main numbers, creating the specific “five plus bonus” tier. Matching it with fewer than five main numbers does not pay.
Another misconception is that the bonus ball behaves like the extra numbers in every other draw. It does not. EuroMillions uses Lucky Stars as part of its combinations, and Thunderball includes prizes for matching only the Thunderball. Each game has its own rules and payout table, so the role of the extra number is not interchangeable.
If you choose to take part, set a clear budget and stick to it, and seek support if play ever stops feeling manageable. Organisations such as GamCare and GambleAware provide free, confidential help.
With the rules in mind, the answer is straightforward: in Lotto, one main number plus the bonus ball does not win a prize, and understanding the prize table is the surest way to read your ticket correctly.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.