Ever found yourself scratching your head over the EuroMillions Lucky Stars? You’re not alone. These two extra numbers play a clear technical role in the game and understanding them makes the draw easier to follow.
If you want to know how they change the odds, how they are drawn, and which prize tiers they influence, this guide walks through each point in plain language so you can follow every part of the draw with confidence.
Curious about how they work in practice and what that means for winnings? Read on for a detailed, straightforward explanation.
What Are EuroMillions Lucky Stars?
Lucky Stars are the two additional numbers drawn alongside the five main numbers in every EuroMillions game. Players choose five main numbers from 1 to 50, and two Lucky Stars from a separate pool, currently 1 to 12. Together these selections determine the various prize tiers.
Their purpose is structural: by adding a separate mini-pool, the game creates more possible combinations and a wider range of prize categories. To win the jackpot, a ticket must match all five main numbers plus both Lucky Stars. Smaller prizes are awarded for other combinations that include one or both Lucky Stars alongside varying counts of main numbers.
Tickets are available only to adults aged 18 or over. Now that you know what Lucky Stars are, the next section explains how they differ from the main numbers and why that matters for prizes.
How Do Lucky Stars Differ From Main Numbers?
The key difference is that main numbers come from a pool of 1 to 50 while Lucky Stars come from a separate pool, presently 1 to 12. Only two Lucky Stars are drawn each game, and because they are selected from a smaller set they influence some prize tiers differently from the main numbers.
Main numbers form the backbone of the draw and determine most winning combinations. Lucky Stars are paired with those main numbers to define higher-value tiers such as the jackpot and second prize. The separate pools and the smaller Lucky Star range make certain combinations rarer, which in turn shapes the distribution of prizes across the tiers.
With that distinction clear, the next section looks at how including Lucky Stars affects the overall chances of winning.
How Do Lucky Stars Affect Your Chances of Winning?
Including two Lucky Stars increases the total number of possible outcomes, which alters the odds for the highest prizes. The jackpot requires matching five main numbers plus both Lucky Stars; this combination produces the long odds for the top prize, currently 1 in 139,838,160.
Other prize tiers require fewer matches and may include one or two Lucky Stars. For example, matching five main numbers and one Lucky Star places a ticket in the second prize tier, while combinations such as three main numbers plus two Lucky Stars sit lower down the scale. Every ticket has the same statistical chance of matching any given combination on a draw, regardless of the numbers chosen.
Remember to play within your budget and treat participation as a form of entertainment rather than a plan for income. Having covered how odds change, the following section describes the actual draw process for Lucky Stars.
How Are Lucky Stars Drawn?
Lucky Stars are drawn during the official twice-weekly EuroMillions draws using separate mechanical machines and a distinct set of balls numbered to match the Lucky Star pool. Two balls are selected from this Lucky Star set independently of the main-number draw.
Independent adjudicators oversee each draw to ensure procedures are followed and outcomes are verified. Equipment is tested regularly and results are published after the draw, providing transparency about the process and confirming that numbers are selected at random.
Understanding the drawing process helps explain why some prize tiers require Lucky Stars; the next section outlines exactly which prizes depend on them.
Which Prizes Depend on Lucky Stars?
Several prize tiers involve matching Lucky Stars together with main numbers. The jackpot requires two Lucky Stars plus all five main numbers. Secondary tiers, such as five main numbers plus one Lucky Star or four main numbers plus both Lucky Stars, also depend directly on the Lucky Star results.
Even combinations lower down the structure, such as two main numbers with both Lucky Stars, can qualify for a payout. By contrast, matching only the Lucky Stars without a qualifying number of main numbers does not win a prize.
Prize amounts and the precise structure can be updated by the game operators, so checking the official prize breakdown after a draw will show how different matches translated into prizes on that occasion. With prize connections established, the next section addresses common misunderstandings about Lucky Stars.
Common Misconceptions About Lucky Stars
A frequent misunderstanding is that past draws influence future outcomes. Each draw is independent, so appearances in previous draws do not change the probability of a number being selected next time. Similarly, there is no reliable method to predict which Lucky Stars will appear in a future draw.
Another misconception is that matching only the Lucky Stars is sufficient for a prize; as noted earlier, prizes require specific combinations that include main numbers. Claims of patterns such as “hot” or “cold” Lucky Stars should be treated sceptically because they are not supported by the mechanics of independent draws.
These clarifications should make the system clearer. Next, the guide explains whether the Lucky Star pool itself ever changes.
Do Lucky Stars Change?
The size of the Lucky Star pool has been adjusted in the past as part of formal changes to the game format. Such changes are made by the operators to rebalance prize structures or alter odds and are announced in advance with an effective date.
There is no regular schedule for these adjustments; they occur only when a formal decision is taken. When changes do happen, they are communicated through official channels so players know the new format and can understand how prize tiers and odds are affected.
Knowing the pool can change from time to time helps set expectations for how the game may evolve. The next section considers whether the same Lucky Star numbers can appear in multiple draws.
Are Lucky Star Numbers Ever Repeated?
Yes. Because each draw is independent, the same Lucky Star numbers can appear in consecutive draws or multiple times over a period. Repetition is a normal outcome of a random selection process and does not indicate any pattern or predictability.
This independence is part of what keeps the draw fair, so every ticket has the same chance on each occasion. With all major points covered, this brings the explanation of Lucky Stars to a close and should leave you able to follow how they fit into EuroMillions draws.
**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.