Lottery Systems in Australia
While most are familiar with the standard tickets of Lottery and Powerball, there are other options available, each with different price tags and odds of winning. In Australia, it boils down to 2 main categories: Pick entries and System entries. The Powerball also has PowerHit entries.
This article will cover the rules, the odds, the prices and other good stuff.
- What is a Pick entry?
- What is a System entry?
- What is a PowerHit entry?
- Odds of winning with a Pick entry or System entry
- Are Pick entries, System entries and PowerHit entries cost-efficient?
What is a Pick entry?
To put it simply, Pick entries guarantee one or two winning numbers.
- Saturday, Monday & Wednesday Lotto draw 6 main numbers, so Pick 5 (1 guaranteed number) and Pick 4 (2 guaranteed numbers) entries are available.
- Oz Lotto and Powerball draw 7 main numbers, so Pick 6 (1 guaranteed number) and Pick 5 (2 guaranteed numbers) entries are available.
Since we are guaranteed 1 or 2 numbers, it also means that we get to pick less numbers, hence the Pick N name.
As an example, here is what it means in simple terms: When playing Saturday Lotto and buying a pick 4 ticket, we need to correctly guess 4 numbers instead of 6, thereby increasing our chances (it's much easier to be correct 4 times than 6 times!).
Despite the better odds, pick entries offer no advantage over regular entries as far as cost is concerned, as they have been priced accordingly.
What is a System entry?
A System entry is a fancy term that simply means that you get to pick more numbers. If a standard entry would allow you to pick 6 numbers, a System 7 entry allows you to pick 7 numbers, thus increasing your odds of winning. System entries typically go all the way to system 20, but they get exponentially more expensive.
Here is a quick analogy to explain why system entries increase your chances of winning: Imagine you are playing basketball and are tasked to score 5 free throws. If you have only 5 shots at your disposal, it is a very hard task, as you must score every single shot. If you are however given 10 shots to score the 5 free throws, your odds are looking a lot better. You effectively have room for error, as missing a single shot doesn't automatically mean that you lost the bet.
In practice, System entries are mathematically even better than the analogy above, as once a losing number is picked, it can't be picked again, while with free throws you can miss in the same way any number of times. This is the reason why pick entries get exponetially more expensive.
What is a PowerHit entry?
PowerHit entries are exclusive to the Powerball and guarantee the winning Powerball. They can be combined with Pick entries and System entries as well. PowerHit system entries are capped at PowerHit System 15 as the price and odds of winning are growing exponentially. A PowerHit System 15 entry is the most expensive entry available, costing $156,151.70 with a 1 in 1,045 chance of winning the division 1 price.
Odds of winning with a Pick entry or System entry
We have established that System and Pick entries increase your odds as they are equivalent to more games. The tables below show the odds of each entry type against each division.
For Saturday, Monday and Wednesday Lotto, the odds of hitting 6 numbers with a Standard entry is 1 in 8,145,060, and 1 in 210 with a System 20 entry. The lower the number, the better the odds. As we reach the really low numbers such as 1 and 0 (it's rounded) the chances of winning that division is very likely. One interesting thing is that hitting 6 numbers with a System 10 entry is still less likely than hitting just 5 numbers with a standard entry.
| System | 6 Numbers | 5 Numbers + 1 Supp | 5 Numbers | 4 Numbers | 3 Numbers + 1 Supp | 1 Number + 2 Supps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 8,145,060 | 678,755 | 36,689 | 733 | 297 | 144 |
| Pick 4 | 9,933 | 828 | 45 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Pick 5 | 203,627 | 16,969 | 917 | 18 | 7 | 4 |
| System 7 | 1,163,580 | 96,965 | 5,241 | 105 | 42 | 21 |
| System 8 | 290,895 | 24,241 | 1,310 | 26 | 11 | 5 |
| System 9 | 96,965 | 8,080 | 437 | 9 | 4 | 2 |
| System 10 | 38,786 | 3,232 | 175 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| System 11 | 17,630 | 1,469 | 79 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| System 12 | 8,815 | 735 | 40 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| System 13 | 4,747 | 396 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| System 14 | 2,712 | 226 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| System 15 | 1,627 | 136 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| System 16 | 1,017 | 85 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| System 17 | 658 | 55 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| System 18 | 439 | 37 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| System 19 | 300 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| System 20 | 210 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
For Oz Lotto, the odds of hitting 7 numbers with a Standard entry is 1 in 45,379,620, and 1 in 1,171 with a System 20 entry. The lower the number, the better the odds. As we reach the really low numbers such as 1 and 0 (it's rounded) the chances of winning that division is very likely. One interesting thing is that hitting 7 numbers with a System 10 entry is still about twice less likely then hitting just 6 numbers with a standard entry.
| System | 7 Numbers | 6 Numbers + 1 Supp | 6 Numbers | 5 Numbers + 1 Supp | 5 Numbers | 4 Numbers | 3 Numbers + 1 Supp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 45,379,620 | 3,241,401 | 180,078 | 29,602 | 3,430 | 154 | 87 |
| Pick 5 | 58,179 | 4,156 | 231 | 38 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Pick 6 | 1,163,580 | 83,113 | 4,617 | 759 | 88 | 4 | 2 |
| System 8 | 5,672,453 | 405,175 | 22,510 | 3,700 | 429 | 19 | 11 |
| System 9 | 1,260,545 | 90,039 | 5,002 | 822 | 95 | 4 | 2 |
| System 10 | 378,164 | 27,012 | 1,501 | 247 | 29 | 1 | 1 |
| System 11 | 137,514 | 9,822 | 546 | 90 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| System 12 | 57,298 | 4,093 | 227 | 37 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| System 13 | 26,445 | 1,889 | 105 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| System 14 | 13,223 | 944 | 52 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| System 15 | 7,052 | 504 | 28 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| System 16 | 3,967 | 283 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| System 17 | 2,333 | 167 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| System 18 | 1,426 | 102 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| System 19 | 901 | 64 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| System 20 | 585 | 42 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The Powerball is interesting as the basics themselves are fundamentally different. While there are no supplementary numbers, there is of course the all important Powerball number. Note that the Powerball number is drawn from a seperate barrel, unlike the supplementary numbers. For this reason, it offers even more entry types, called PowerHit entries. These entries guarantee the winning Powerball, greatly increasing your chances.
The odds of hitting the Jackpot with a standard entry is 1 in 134,490,400, 1 in 1,735 with a System 20 entry and 1 in 1,045 with a PowerHit 15 entry (most expesive entry, costing $156,151.70!).
| System | 7 Numbers + Powerball | 7 Numbers | 6 Numbers + Powerball | 6 Numbers | 5 Numbers + Powerball | 5 Numbers | 4 Numbers + Powerball | 3 Numbers + Powerball | 2 Numbers + Powerball |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 134,490,400 | 7,078,443 | 686,176 | 36,115 | 16,943 | 1,173 | 892 | 188 | 66 |
| Pick 5 | 309,173 | 16,272 | 1,577 | 83 | 39 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Pick 6 | 4,637,600 | 244,084 | 23,661 | 1,245 | 584 | 40 | 31 | 6 | 2 |
| System 8 | 16,811,300 | 884,805 | 85,772 | 4,514 | 2,118 | 147 | 112 | 24 | 8 |
| System 9 | 3,735,844 | 196,623 | 19,060 | 1,003 | 471 | 33 | 25 | 5 | 2 |
| System 10 | 1,120,753 | 58,987 | 5,718 | 301 | 141 | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 |
| System 11 | 407,547 | 21,450 | 2,079 | 109 | 51 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| System 12 | 169,811 | 8,937 | 866 | 46 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| System 13 | 78,374 | 4,125 | 400 | 21 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| System 14 | 39,187 | 2,062 | 200 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| System 15 | 20,900 | 1,100 | 107 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| System 16 | 11,756 | 619 | 60 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| System 17 | 6,915 | 364 | 35 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| System 18 | 4,226 | 222 | 22 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| System 19 | 2,669 | 140 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| System 20 | 1,735 | 91 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| PowerHit | 6,724,520 | 353,922 | 34,309 | 1,806 | 847 | 59 | 45 | 9 | 3 |
| PowerHit Pick 5 | 15,459 | 814 | 79 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| PowerHit Pick 6 | 231,880 | 12,204 | 1,183 | 62 | 29 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| PowerHit System 8 | 840,565 | 44,240 | 4,289 | 226 | 106 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| PowerHit System 9 | 186,792 | 9,831 | 953 | 50 | 24 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| PowerHit System 10 | 56,038 | 2,949 | 286 | 15 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| PowerHit System 11 | 20,377 | 1,072 | 104 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| PowerHit System 12 | 8,491 | 447 | 43 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| PowerHit System 13 | 3,919 | 206 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| PowerHit System 14 | 1,959 | 103 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| PowerHit System 15 | 1,045 | 55 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Are Pick entries, System entries and PowerHit entries cost-efficient?
This is a fairly common question. We all have this one friend or uncle that swears that System 10 or Pick 5 is the way to go because the price to odds ratio is amazing. Since we know the amount of equivalent games each option provides and the price for each entry, it's really just a simple division.
Spoiler: Pick entries, System entries and PowerHit entries are not more or less cost-effective. When tallied up, they cost the exact same as standard entries.
| System | Entry Price | Equivalent Games | Cost per Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $0.72 | 1 | $0.72 |
| Pick 4 | $587.90 | 820 | $0.72 |
| Pick 5 | $28.70 | 40 | $0.72 |
| System 7 | $5 | 7 | $0.71 |
| System 8 | $20.10 | 28 | $0.72 |
| System 9 | $60.20 | 84 | $0.72 |
| System 10 | $150.55 | 210 | $0.72 |
| System 11 | $331.25 | 462 | $0.72 |
| System 12 | $662.45 | 924 | $0.72 |
| System 13 | $1,230.30 | 1716 | $0.72 |
| System 14 | $2,153 | 3003 | $0.72 |
| System 15 | $3,588.35 | 5005 | $0.72 |
| System 16 | $5,741.35 | 8008 | $0.72 |
| System 17 | $8,872.95 | 12376 | $0.72 |
| System 18 | $13,309.45 | 18564 | $0.72 |
| System 19 | $19,452.30 | 27132 | $0.72 |
| System 20 | $27,789 | 38760 | $0.72 |
| System | Entry Price | Equivalent Games | Cost per Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $0.72 | 1 | $0.72 |
| Pick 4 | $587.90 | 820 | $0.72 |
| Pick 5 | $28.70 | 40 | $0.72 |
| System 7 | $5 | 7 | $0.71 |
| System 8 | $20.10 | 28 | $0.72 |
| System 9 | $60.20 | 84 | $0.72 |
| System 10 | $150.55 | 210 | $0.72 |
| System 11 | $331.25 | 462 | $0.72 |
| System 12 | $662.45 | 924 | $0.72 |
| System 13 | $1,230.30 | 1716 | $0.72 |
| System 14 | $2,153 | 3003 | $0.72 |
| System 15 | $3,588.35 | 5005 | $0.72 |
| System 16 | $5,741.35 | 8008 | $0.72 |
| System 17 | $8,872.95 | 12376 | $0.72 |
| System 18 | $13,309.45 | 18564 | $0.72 |
| System 19 | $19,452.30 | 27132 | $0.72 |
| System 20 | $27,789 | 38760 | $0.72 |
| System | Entry Price | Equivalent Games | Cost per Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $1.32 | 1 | $1.32 |
| Pick 5 | $1,032.40 | 780 | $1.32 |
| Pick 6 | $51.60 | 39 | $1.32 |
| System 8 | $10.60 | 8 | $1.33 |
| System 9 | $47.60 | 36 | $1.32 |
| System 10 | $158.85 | 120 | $1.32 |
| System 11 | $436.80 | 330 | $1.32 |
| System 12 | $1,048.30 | 792 | $1.32 |
| System 13 | $2,271.30 | 1716 | $1.32 |
| System 14 | $4,542.60 | 3432 | $1.32 |
| System 15 | $8,517.35 | 6435 | $1.32 |
| System 16 | $15,142 | 11440 | $1.32 |
| System 17 | $25,741.35 | 19448 | $1.32 |
| System 18 | $42,122.25 | 31824 | $1.32 |
| System 19 | $66,693.55 | 50388 | $1.32 |
| System 20 | $102,605.45 | 77520 | $1.32 |
| System | Entry Price | Equivalent Games | Cost per Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $1.21 | 1 | $1.21 |
| Pick 5 | $527.80 | 435 | $1.21 |
| Pick 6 | $35.20 | 29 | $1.21 |
| System 8 | $9.70 | 8 | $1.21 |
| System 9 | $43.70 | 36 | $1.21 |
| System 10 | $145.60 | 120 | $1.21 |
| System 11 | $400.40 | 330 | $1.21 |
| System 12 | $960.95 | 792 | $1.21 |
| System 13 | $2,082 | 1716 | $1.21 |
| System 14 | $4,164.05 | 3432 | $1.21 |
| System 15 | $7,807.60 | 6435 | $1.21 |
| System 16 | $13,880.15 | 11440 | $1.21 |
| System 17 | $23,596.25 | 19448 | $1.21 |
| System 18 | $38,612.05 | 31824 | $1.21 |
| System 19 | $61,135.75 | 50388 | $1.21 |
| System 20 | $94,055 | 77520 | $1.21 |
| PowerHit | $24.30 | 20 | $1.22 |
| PowerHit Pick 5 | $10,555.70 | 8700 | $1.21 |
| PowerHit Pick 6 | $703.70 | 580 | $1.21 |
| PowerHit System 8 | $194.15 | 160 | $1.21 |
| PowerHit System 9 | $873.60 | 720 | $1.21 |
| PowerHit System 10 | $2,911.90 | 2400 | $1.21 |
| PowerHit System 11 | $8,007.80 | 6600 | $1.21 |
| PowerHit System 12 | $19,218.65 | 15840 | $1.21 |
| PowerHit System 13 | $41,640.45 | 34320 | $1.21 |
| PowerHit System 14 | $83,280.90 | 68640 | $1.21 |
| PowerHit System 15 | $156,151.70 | 128700 | $1.21 |
Simulate playing Australian lotteries for free!
We have created simulations for the major Australian lotteries which you can play for free.
They feature all the options that are available in the real lotteries such as system entries, pick entries and PowerHit entries.
Australia Powerball
| Jackpot odds | 1 in 134,490,400 |
|---|---|
| Largest Jackpot | A$150M |
| Current Jackpot | A$1M |
Oz Lotto
| Jackpot odds | 1 in 45,379,620 |
|---|---|
| Largest Jackpot | A$112M |
| Current Jackpot | A$0M |
Australia Saturday Lotto
| Jackpot odds | 1 in 8,145,060 |
|---|---|
| Largest Jackpot | A$20M |
| Current Jackpot | A$0M |
Australia Monday & Wednesday Lotto
| Jackpot odds | 1 in 8,145,060 |
|---|---|
| Largest Jackpot | A$5M |
| Current Jackpot | A$0M |