Lotto Texas drawings are held twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10:12 p.m. CT. Tickets can be purchased until 10:02 p.m. CT on draw days. Winning numbers are announced shortly after each drawing. Players can watch the drawings on television stations across Texas or check the Texas Lottery website or app to view the winning numbers.
Lotto Texas is one of the most popular lottery games run by the Texas Lottery Commission. With twice-weekly drawings every Wednesday and Saturday night, Lotto Texas gives players two chances each week to win big jackpot prizes that routinely climb into the multimillion dollar range. The game launched in 1992 and has awarded over $6 billion in prizes to lucky winners over the past three decades.
Lotto Texas jackpots start at $5 million and roll over each drawing until there is a winner. Jackpots can grow quite large as the top prize rolls over week after week without a winner. The current Lotto Texas record is a whopping $145 million jackpot won on June 19, 2004.
In addition to the jackpot, there are eight other prize tiers in Lotto Texas offering payouts ranging from $2 all the way up to $1 million. Players can win by matching 2, 3, 4 or 5 of the six main numbers drawn, or by matching those numbers plus the Bonus Ball for even larger prizes. The overall odds of winning any Lotto Texas prize are 1 in 32.
How to Play Lotto Texas
Playing Lotto Texas requires selecting six numbers from a field of 54, or players can opt for “Quick Pick” and have the terminal randomly select numbers for them. Each play costs $1 per drawing. For an additional $1 per play, the Extra! add-on feature can be selected which gives players a chance to win up to $10,000 more on non-jackpot prizes.
Here are the steps to play Lotto Texas:
- Select six numbers from 1 to 54 or ask for Quick Pick.
- Add Extra! for $1 more per play to increase non-jackpot prizes.
- Choose the number of consecutive draws to play (up to 10).
- Pay $1 per play per drawing.
- Check draw results to see if you have winning numbers.
Tickets can be purchased at Texas Lottery retailers throughout the state. Many locations have self-service lottery terminals where players can insert money and make their number selections. Tickets can also be bought online via the Texas Lottery website or mobile app. Online ticket purchases can be made up to 10 draws (two weeks) in advance.
Lotto Texas Drawings
Lotto Texas drawings are held every Wednesday and Saturday night at 10:12 p.m. CT. Players have until 10:02 p.m. CT on the night of the drawing to buy tickets for that drawing. Tickets cannot be sold after the 10:02 p.m. cutoff.
The drawings take place at the Texas Lottery Commission studios in Austin and are supervised by lottery security and an independent accounting firm. Winning numbers are selected using four drawing machines, two for the main numbers and two for the Bonus Ball. The machines contain numbered balls which are mixed and then selected randomly one at a time during the drawing.
The six main winning numbers are drawn first, followed by the Bonus Ball number.Players can watch Lotto Texas drawings on television stations across the state. The drawings are also live-streamed on the Lottery website and YouTube channel. Draw results are posted shortly after the drawing takes place.
Lotto Texas Drawing Schedule
| Draw Date | Day of Week |
|---|---|
| October 18, 2023 | Wednesday |
| October 21, 2023 | Saturday |
| October 25, 2023 | Wednesday |
| October 28, 2023 | Saturday |
As shown in the table above, Lotto Texas drawings follow a regular Wednesday and Saturday schedule each week. Tickets must be purchased by 10:02 p.m. CT on draw nights in order to participate.
How to Win Lotto Texas Prizes
There are nine different ways to win prizes in Lotto Texas. Players can win by matching 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 of the main numbers drawn, or by matching 2, 3, 4 or 5 main numbers plus the Bonus Ball number. The Texas Lottery has established the following prize payout structures for each of the nine Lotto Texas prize tiers:
Lotto Texas Prize Chart
| Prize Level | Match This Combination | Odds of Winning | Prize Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackpot | All 6 main numbers | 1 in 25,827,165 | Starting jackpot of $5 million |
| 2nd Tier | 5 main numbers + Bonus Ball | 1 in 1,832,702 | $1 million |
| 3rd Tier | 5 main numbers | 1 in 55,492 | $1,000 |
| 4th Tier | 4 main numbers + Bonus Ball | 1 in 10,004 | $200 |
| 5th Tier | 4 main numbers | 1 in 801 | $100 |
| 6th Tier | 3 main numbers + Bonus Ball | 1 in 333 | $10 |
| 7th Tier | 3 main numbers | 1 in 57 | $3 |
| 8th Tier | 2 main numbers + Bonus Ball | 1 in 24 | $2 |
| 9th Tier | 2 main numbers | 1 in 8 | Free ticket for next drawing |
As shown in the prize chart, matching all six main numbers wins the Lotto Texas jackpot starting at $5 million, while matching fewer numbers wins smaller fixed prizes according to the payout structure. The Bonus Ball number comes into play on four prize levels, allowing players to win bigger prizes by matching it along with 2, 3, 4 or 5 main numbers.
Claiming Lotto Texas Prizes
For prizes under $600, winning Lotto Texas tickets can be redeemed at any Texas Lottery retailer. Retailers can pay prizes up to $599. Prizes of $600 or more must be claimed at one of the Texas Lottery claim centers around the state.
The Lottery recommends signing the back of the winning ticket immediately and storing it in a safe place until ready to claim. Tickets should always be signed by a single person whose name will go on the claim. Winners have 180 days from the draw date to claim their Lotto Texas prizes.
Jackpot and second tier prizes ($1 million or more) must be claimed in person at Texas Lottery headquarters in Austin. For a jackpot win, winners can choose to receive the full amount in annual payments over 30 years or take a reduced lump sum cash payment. All other prizes can be claimed at any Texas Lottery claim center.
Proper identification is required when claiming any lottery prize. Winners are responsible for all taxes associated with prize winnings. Certain winnings may also be subject to federal withholding if over $5,000.
Odds of Winning Lotto Texas
The overall odds of winning any Lotto Texas prize are 1 in 32. The game offers nine prize tiers ranging from matching just 2 main numbers all the way up to matching all six numbers for the jackpot. The specific odds of winning each prize tier based on the combinations needed to win are:
- Jackpot (6 of 6): 1 in 25,827,165
- 2nd Prize (5 of 6 + Bonus Ball): 1 in 1,832,702
- 3rd Prize (5 of 6): 1 in 55,492
- 4th Prize (4 of 6 + Bonus Ball): 1 in 10,004
- 5th Prize (4 of 6): 1 in 801
- 6th Prize (3 of 6 + Bonus Ball): 1 in 333
- 7th Prize (3 of 6): 1 in 57
- 8th Prize (2 of 6 + Bonus Ball): 1 in 24
- 9th Prize (2 of 6): 1 in 8
As the number matched increases, the odds get longer. It is most difficult to win the jackpot by matching all six numbers. But the Lotto Texas prize structure gives players the chance to win smaller prizes by matching just 2, 3 or 4 numbers. The Bonus Ball feature improves the odds on certain non-jackpot prize levels.
Strategies for Winning Lotto Texas
Lotto Texas is strictly a game of chance, and there is no guaranteed strategy for winning. All number combinations have an equal chance of being drawn. However, some people use certain approaches when selecting numbers hoping to improve their odds.
Common Lotto Texas Number Selection Strategies
- Birthdates – Using your own or loved ones’ birthdates
- Anniversaries – Choosing wedding or other special anniversaries
- Lucky Numbers – Selecting digits you consider lucky for you
- Number Patterns – Choosing numbers that form a shape pattern on a play slip
- Quick Pick – Letting the computer randomly pick your numbers
While these approaches do not actually change the mathematical odds, they can help make the number selection process more meaningful for individual players.
Tips to Improve Lotto Texas Odds
Some tips that may potentially improve a player’s win probability include:
- Avoid choosing all consecutive numbers (i.e. 5,6,7,8,9,10) since they rarely come up in draws.
- Don’t pick a set of numbers all from the same number group (i.e. all teens or all 20s).
- Mix high and low numbers in your selection.
- Balance odd and even numbers.
- Buy multiple tickets to increase number coverage.
While still random, these tips may help avoid choosing number groupings that tend not to be drawn as frequently.
Where Lotto Texas Proceeds Go
The Texas Lottery has contributed over $28 billion to public education and veterans’ services in the state since it began in 1992. Lotto Texas has been an important part of that, generating significant funds for key state programs.
By law, a minimum of 63% of Lotto Texas revenue goes to the Foundation School Fund which supports public education across the state. Additionally, a portion of proceeds is transferred to the Fund for Veterans’ Assistance to support Texas veterans and their families.
Some specific beneficiaries of Lotto Texas funding include:
- K-12 public school teacher salaries
- Technology improvements for public schools
- Construction of new school facilities
- Financial aid and scholarships for Texas college students
- Job placement and employment services for veterans
- Medical treatments and rehabilitative care for disabled veterans
So while playing may seem like just fun and games, Lotto Texas proceeds go to meaningful causes that benefit communities statewide.
Conclusion
Lotto Texas provides residents of the Lone Star State two exciting chances every week to become an instant multimillionaire and take home jackpot prizes starting at $5 million. Twice-weekly drawings take place every Wednesday and Saturday night, giving players 104 opportunities per year to win big.
With nine prize levels, players can win prizes for matching as few as 2 main numbers all the way up to hitting the jackpot for matching all six. Strategies like choosing significant numbers or balancing number types may increase enjoyment of the game. While winning ultimately comes down to chance, Lotto Texas consistently produces new millionaires overnight.
In addition to creating lucky winners, Lotto Texas generates important funding for education and veterans assistance programs across the state. So both players and the general public benefit from the game.
Lotto Texas has awarded over $6 billion to lucky winners since starting in 1992. The next multimillionaire could be produced at any upcoming drawing. All it takes is a $1 ticket with the right number combination to win a life-changing jackpot prize, so be sure to get your tickets in time for the next Lotto Texas drawings on Wednesday and Saturday nights!
