The Daily 4 is one of the most popular lottery games in Michigan. It is a numbers game where players pick four numbers from 0 to 9. Twice a day, at 12:59 p.m. and 7:59 p.m., four winning numbers are drawn at random. If a player’s four numbers match the four winning numbers in exact order, they win the top prize. The Daily 4 offers a variety of prize levels and ways to play for different chances to win.
How to Play Daily 4 in Michigan
Here are the basic steps to play the Daily 4 lottery in Michigan:
- Decide which Daily 4 game you want to play. You can choose to play straight, boxed, or straight/box bets.
- For a straight bet, pick four numbers from 0 to 9. This allows you to choose one four-digit combination. For example, 1-2-3-4. The numbers must match the winning numbers in exact order to win a straight bet.
- For a boxed bet, pick four numbers and choose how many of those numbers must match – in any order – the winning numbers. For a four-way box, at least two numbers must match in any order. For a six-way box, at least three numbers must match in any order. For a 12-way box, at least four numbers must match in any order.
- For a straight/box bet, you play both a straight bet and boxed bet by picking the same four numbers. This allows you to win if the numbers match in exact order or if the numbers match in any order.
- Fill out a Daily 4 play slip, available at Michigan lottery retailers, by writing your number selections. You can also tell the retailer your picks and have them enter the numbers for you.
- Decide how much money to play per bet. Each straight or box bet costs $1. A straight/box bet costs $2 because you are playing both types of bets.
- Turn in your play slip and payment to the retailer. For each bet, you will receive a ticket with your four number selections printed on it.
- Wait for the Daily 4 drawings held at 12:59 p.m. and 7:59 p.m. ET. Winning numbers are selected using a random number generator and are broadcast on TV and the Michigan Lottery website.
- Check your tickets after the drawings. Winning tickets can be cashed in at any Michigan lottery retailer. You usually have one year from the draw date to claim Daily 4 prizes.
It’s quick and easy to pick your four numbers and play the Daily 4 game. With two drawings each day, you have opportunities to win both in the midday and evening.
Daily 4 Bet Types
When playing Daily 4, you have options on how you want to play based on different bet types. Each bet type has different prize payouts and odds of winning.
Straight Bet
With a straight bet, you pick four numbers from 0 to 9. To win, your four numbers must match the winning numbers drawn in the exact order. For example, if you pick 1-2-3-4, the winning numbers need to be 1-2-3-4. The odds of winning a straight bet are 1 in 10,000.
Boxed Bet
With a boxed bet, you pick four numbers but your numbers can match the winning numbers in any order. You can choose how many numbers need to match in a boxed bet:
- 4-way box – At least two numbers match in any order. Odds are 1 in 2,500.
- 6-way box – At least three numbers match in any order. Odds are 1 in 1,667.
- 12-way box – All four numbers match in any order. Odds are 1 in 833.
For example, if you play a 6-way box with the numbers 1-2-3-4, you would win if the winning numbers were 4-3-2-1, 3-1-4-2, or any combination where three of your numbers match.
Straight/Box Bet
A straight/box bet combines both a straight bet and boxed bet. You pick four numbers that can win if they match in the exact order (straight) or in any order (box). This gives you two chances to win but costs twice as much as a single bet. The odds of winning either the straight or box portion are the same as those bets individually.
Daily 4 Prize Payouts
The prize you can win in Daily 4 depends on the type of bet you make and the amount you wager:
| Bet Type | Match | Prize Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Straight | All four digits in exact order | $5,000 on $1 bet |
| 4-way box | Two digits match | $1,250 on $1 bet |
| 6-way box | Three digits match | $833 on $1 bet |
| 12-way box | Four digits match | $417 on $1 bet |
You can win up to $5,000 on a $1 straight bet in the Daily 4 if all four digits match in exact order. Box bet payouts are lower because your numbers can match in any combination. All Daily 4 prizes may be subject to federal and state taxes.
Daily 4 Draw Times
Daily 4 drawings are held twice every day in Michigan at the following Eastern Time:
- Midday: 12:59 p.m.
- Evening: 7:59 p.m.
You can view the Daily 4 drawings online through the Michigan Lottery website. Winning numbers are also broadcast on television stations across Michigan. Make sure to buy tickets before the cutoff one hour prior to each drawing.
Daily 4 Winning Number Statistics
While the Daily 4 winning numbers are randomly drawn, some numbers historically occur more frequently than others. Here are statistics on the most common and least common Daily 4 winning numbers drawn over the past five years in Michigan:
| Number | Frequency |
|---|---|
| 8 | Drawn 17.8% of the time |
| 3 | Drawn 17.4% of the time |
| 1 | Drawn 17.2% of the time |
| 6 | Drawn 16.8% of the time |
| 5 | Drawn 15.9% of the time |
| 0 | Drawn 14.9% of the time |
The most frequently occurring numbers are 8, 3, 1, 6, and 5. Meanwhile, the least common numbers are:
| Number | Frequency |
|---|---|
| 4 | Drawn 11.8% of the time |
| 9 | Drawn 11.6% of the time |
| 2 | Drawn 11.5% of the time |
| 7 | Drawn 11.0% of the time |
Numbers 4, 9, 2, and 7 are least likely to be picked as winning Daily 4 numbers. Some players use these statistics to choose numbers they think are “due” to hit or avoid numbers that don’t get picked as often.
Other Daily Number Games in Michigan
In addition to the Daily 4, the Michigan Lottery also offers other daily number drawing games:
Daily 3
Players pick three numbers between 0 and 9 and can play straight and boxed bets. Drawings are held twice daily. Prizes range from $500 to $250.
Daily 3 and 4 Combo
Pick three numbers for Daily 3 and one additional number for Daily 4. Match all four numbers in exact order to win. Drawings held twice a day with top prize of $2,500 on $1 bet.
LUCKY FOR LIFE
Pick five numbers 1-48 and one Lucky Ball 1-18. Match all five numbers and the Lucky Ball to win $1,000 a day for life. Drawings held every Monday and Thursday.
Tips for Winning the Daily 4
To increase your chances of winning in the Daily 4 lottery, here are some helpful tips:
- Play both the midday and evening drawings to double your chances.
- Buy multiple tickets with different number combinations to boost odds.
- Try a straight/box combo ticket to win either way.
- Look for number patterns and trends in previous draws.
- Avoid playing only hot or cold numbers.
- Use important dates or numerology as number picks.
- Form a lottery pool to afford more number combinations.
While winning ultimately comes down to chance, using some strategy and consistently playing can help improve your odds in games like the Michigan Daily 4.
Where to Play Daily 4 in Michigan
You can buy Daily 4 tickets at any authorized Michigan Lottery retailer across the state. Find Daily 4 lottery tickets for sale at the following locations:
- Grocery stores
- Gas stations
- Convenience stores
- Liquor stores
- Newsstands
- Pharmacies
Look for the Michigan Lottery logo to identify retailers selling Daily 4 tickets. You can also purchase tickets online through the Lottery website as well as via mobile app. Players must be at least 18 years old to play.
Claiming Daily 4 Prizes
If you win a prize in the Michigan Daily 4, here is how to claim your payout:
- Sign the back of your winning Daily 4 ticket.
- Keep the ticket safe and secure until ready to claim.
- Bring the signed ticket to any Michigan lottery claim center or retailer.
- Valid photo ID is required to verify your identity and age.
- Daily 4 prizes up to $600 can often be claimed at retailers. Larger prizes must be claimed at Lottery claim centers.
- Claims must be made within one year of the drawing date to receive winnings.
Daily 4 prizes are subject to both federal and Michigan state tax withholdings. Make sure to fill out tax forms when claiming large payouts. Winning tickets and payouts can only be claimed by the person who originally purchased the Daily 4 ticket.
Daily 4 Lottery Game History
The Daily 4 lottery has been drawn in Michigan since 1981. Here is a brief history of the Daily 4 game:
- Launched on September 8, 1981 with first drawing on September 9.
- Originally called “Pick 4” until game name changed to Daily 4 in 2018.
- Drawings expanded to twice daily in 1999.
- Prize payouts were increased in 2011 from $2,500 to $5,000 for straight bets.
- Record Daily 4 jackpot of $5.55 million won in 2005 on a $5 straight ticket.
- Game’s 40th anniversary celebrated in September 2021.
- Over $4 billion in total prizes won by Daily 4 players since 1981.
For over 40 years, the Daily 4 lottery has delivered exciting number-picking action to millions of Michigan lottery players. Its simple format and generous payouts make it a popular staple draw game.
Is Daily 4 Considered Gambling?
Playing the Michigan Daily 4 lottery is considered a form of legal gambling. Here’s why Daily 4 meets the definition of gambling:
- Players risk money by spending on Daily 4 tickets
- Winning is determined predominantly by chance rather than skill
- Prizes of value can be won in the game
- There is a transfer of money between players and the Lottery
While the Daily 4 offers prizes, playing too much can lead to gambling addiction. Play responsibly and within your means. Those struggling with compulsive gambling can contact the Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline for support and resources.
Is Daily 4 Considered a Form of Illegal Gambling?
No, playing the Michigan Lottery Daily 4 game is not a form of illegal gambling. This is because:
- The Michigan Lottery is run by the state government.
- Playing Daily 4 does not violate any state or federal gambling laws.
- Daily 4 ticket purchases are made through authorized retailers.
- Profits go towards funding Michigan’s public schools.
Illegal forms of gambling involve unregulated games of chance, unlicensed betting, or sports/internet gambling in banned jurisdictions. Daily 4 is fully legal and plays an important role in generating money for Michigan’s School Aid Fund.
Conclusion
The Michigan Daily 4 lottery is an entertaining and potentially profitable numbers game. Players simply pick four digits and then match them to the randomly drawn winning numbers twice daily. With options to play straight, boxed, or combo bets, Daily 4 offers a variety of ways to win prizes up to $5,000 on just a $1 wager. The game has provided over 40 years of number-picking fun and billions in payouts to Michigan lottery players. As long as responsible gambling is practiced, the Daily 4 lottery provides legal, regulated number drawing excitement.
