Many players wonder what matching two Lucky Stars really means in EuroMillions and what sort of prize it might bring. With several tiers and moving prize amounts, it can be hard to know where a ticket stands.
This guide explains how two Lucky Stars fit into the prize table, how payouts are worked out, and the odds involved. It also covers checking a ticket, syndicate shares, and what UK winners should know about payouts and tax.
EuroMillions outcomes are random, and there is no way to predict results. If you choose to play, keep it affordable and within your own limits.
What Counts As Two Lucky Stars In EuroMillions?
A EuroMillions line contains five main numbers and two Lucky Stars, chosen from separate pools. Matching two Lucky Stars means your ticket has both of the Lucky Star numbers drawn in the official results.
On its own, two Lucky Stars is not a winning combination. To qualify for a prize that involves two Lucky Stars, at least one main number must also match. For example, matching one main number plus two Lucky Stars sits in a lower prize tier and usually pays a small amount.
The exact tier depends on the overall combination of main numbers and stars you match. Two Lucky Stars are part of several mid-to-lower tiers and can boost a prize when combined with more main numbers.
Wondering how those tiers stack up across the game? The next section puts your ticket into the wider prize table.
How Prize Tiers Work In EuroMillions
EuroMillions prizes are divided into tiers that reflect how many main numbers and Lucky Stars are matched. The jackpot sits at the top for five main numbers and both Lucky Stars. Below that are tiers such as five main numbers and one Lucky Star, and five main numbers only.
As the number of matches drops, the prize generally decreases. At the lower end, there is a prize for matching two main numbers, while combinations that include two Lucky Stars tend to sit in the middle-to-lower range depending on how many main numbers are also matched.
Amounts vary from draw to draw. They are influenced by ticket sales, how many winners fall into each tier, and any adjustments made to the prize structure. UK-only raffles, such as the Millionaire Maker, are separate and do not affect the value of the EuroMillions prize tiers.
So what does this mean when your ticket shows both Lucky Stars? Let’s look at typical outcomes.
How Much Do You Win For Matching 2 Lucky Stars?
Matching only the two Lucky Stars does not produce a prize. A payout that involves the stars requires at least one matching main number.
When a ticket matches one main number and both stars, the payout is usually a modest amount. Add more main numbers, and the prize tier rises. For instance, three main numbers plus two Lucky Stars places the ticket noticeably higher up the table than one main number plus two stars.
These amounts are not fixed. They change with the size of the prize fund and the number of winners sharing that tier in a given draw.
What Affects The Payout For 2 Lucky Stars?
Payouts for combinations that include two Lucky Stars are influenced by several factors and can shift from draw to draw.
The total number of tickets sold helps determine the overall prize pool. Higher sales can lift the amount available across tiers. The number of winners in the same tier also matters, because the tier’s prize fund is split equally among them.
Exchange rates and occasional changes to the prize structure can also have an effect. Organisers may adjust how funds are distributed between tiers, which can change typical amounts for combinations that include two Lucky Stars.
Of course, knowing how prize funds move is only part of the picture. What are the chances of seeing both stars on your line?
What Are The Odds Of Matching 2 Lucky Stars?
There are 12 Lucky Star numbers, and two are drawn each time. The probability of a line matching both Lucky Stars, regardless of the main numbers, is 1 in 66.
This does not guarantee a prize on its own, because two Lucky Stars alone is not a winning tier. The overall chance of a payout depends on the full combination of main numbers and stars you match in a particular draw. As with all lotteries, results are random and cannot be predicted.
How Prize Shares Are Calculated In Syndicates
A syndicate is a group of people who buy entries together and agree to share any prizes. Playing as a group increases the number of lines covered, but any winnings are divided among members.
Shares are usually split according to the agreement in place. If a group of ten buys equal shares and the syndicate wins £100, each member would receive £10. Some groups vary contributions and split winnings in proportion to what each person paid. Whatever the approach, it helps to put the details in writing so everyone is clear.
How To Check A Ticket For 2 Lucky Stars
After each draw, the official results show the five main numbers and the two Lucky Stars. To see where your ticket stands, compare your line to those results. If both Lucky Stars match, check how many main numbers you have as well, because at least one main number is needed for a prize that involves two stars.
Results are available on the official website, in retail outlets, and through mobile apps. Prizes must be claimed within the published deadline, so it is worth checking your ticket promptly.
Example Calculations For Typical 2 Lucky Stars Payouts
Because EuroMillions prizes are shared and depend on the draw’s prize fund, amounts for two Lucky Stars combinations can vary. As a guide, a line with one main number and both Lucky Stars tends to pay a small, fixed-looking sum compared with higher tiers. Add another main number, and the prize usually increases, with three main numbers plus two Lucky Stars moving you into a more valuable tier again.
These figures are set after the draw based on sales and the number of winners, so the same combination can pay slightly differently from one draw to the next.
If you do land a prize with two Lucky Stars in the mix, what happens next in the UK?
Tax And Payout Rules For UK Winners
In the UK, EuroMillions prizes are paid as lump sums and are not subject to UK income tax. The amount shown for your tier is the amount you receive.
While the prize itself is not taxed as income, any interest earned after the money is deposited can be taxable. Larger gifts or transfers into trusts may also have future tax implications, so independent financial advice can be useful for significant wins.
Prizes are claimed either with the original ticket if bought in a shop or through an online account for digital entries. Claim deadlines are clearly set out by the National Lottery, and winners should check the official site for the details that apply to their ticket.
Common Misconceptions About 2 Lucky Stars Prizes
A frequent misconception is that two Lucky Stars always mean a prize. Under the current rules, at least one main number must also match to qualify for any payout.
Another myth is that the prize for two Lucky Stars is fixed. It is not. Amounts vary with the prize fund and the number of winners sharing the tier in that draw. It is also easy to overestimate the size of these prizes. Combinations that include two Lucky Stars generally sit in the lower or middle tiers unless accompanied by several main numbers.
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That is the key detail on two Lucky Stars: what counts, how the tiers work, how payouts are set, and what UK winners can expect.
**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.