If you’ve ever watched a UK Lotto draw or checked your ticket after a game, you might have spotted the Bonus Ball and wondered why it’s there, or what it actually does. Despite seeing it appear alongside the rest of the numbers, the Bonus Ball often leaves many people scratching their heads.
You might be asking yourself whether you need to pick the Bonus Ball, how it’s drawn, or even which prizes it affects. The rules about how it’s used can feel a bit confusing, especially if you’re new to Lotto.
Understanding the Bonus Ball can help you feel more in the know next time you play or check your numbers. Whether you’re someone who plays every now and again or you’re just curious, keep reading to discover exactly how the Bonus Ball fits into the Lotto and what its purpose is.
What Is The Bonus Ball In UK Lotto?
In the UK Lotto, the Bonus Ball is an extra number that is drawn after the six main numbers. The draw starts by selecting six numbers from 1 to 59. Once those are out, one more ball is drawn from the remaining pool. That final pick is the Bonus Ball.
You don’t choose a separate Bonus Ball when filling in your ticket. You only select six numbers, and the Bonus Ball can only match if it happens to be one of those six.
The Bonus Ball only matters for certain prize tiers. It does not affect the jackpot, but it can boost a prize when you have already matched several main numbers. In short, it adds an extra outcome for lines that are close to matching all six numbers.
How Is The Bonus Ball Drawn?
The Bonus Ball is drawn straight after the six main numbers have been selected. The machine uses the same set of balls, now minus the ones already drawn, and randomly picks one more. Because it is taken from what remains in the drum, the Bonus Ball is always different to every main number drawn.
This process is independently checked to keep it fair and consistent. You never need to pick an extra number on your ticket, and the draw format makes it clear how the Bonus Ball is chosen.
With the draw steps set, the natural question is where the Bonus Ball actually makes a difference.
Does The Bonus Ball Count Toward The Jackpot?
No. The Bonus Ball is not used to win the Lotto jackpot. To take the top prize, a line must match all six main numbers and nothing else is considered.
If a line matches five main numbers and the Bonus Ball, it qualifies for a large secondary prize rather than the jackpot. That puts it just below the top tier in value.
So, while the Bonus Ball never helps with the jackpot, it does matter when you are one number short of all six. That is where it starts to shape the prize tiers.
How The Bonus Ball Changes Prize Tiers
Most Lotto prizes are decided purely by how many main numbers you match. For example, matching three, four or five main numbers gives fixed payouts that do not involve the Bonus Ball.
The exception is when a line matches five of the main numbers. If the sixth number on that line also matches the Bonus Ball, the prize moves up to the higher five-plus-Bonus tier. If the Bonus Ball does not match, the prize stays at the standard five-number level.
Think of it as a single step built into the prize table for tickets that are close to a full house. Everything else, from three numbers up to the jackpot, is based only on the main numbers drawn.
Curious how often that five-plus-Bonus result comes up? The odds help put it in context.
What Are The Odds Of Matching The Bonus Ball?
To match the Bonus Ball in UK Lotto, a line must first include five of the six main numbers. The remaining number on that line then also has to be the Bonus Ball.
The chance of doing this on a single line is 1 in 7,509,579. This is the official probability based on a 59-ball draw.
You cannot win a prize by matching only the Bonus Ball. It only matters in combination with five main numbers, which is why this outcome is rare. It is still more common than matching all six numbers for the jackpot, but far less frequent than the lower fixed prizes.
Which Prize Do You Win If You Match Five Plus The Bonus Ball?
Matching five main numbers and the Bonus Ball wins what is officially called the second-tier prize. It sits one level below the jackpot.
Under the standard prize structure, this second-tier prize is a fixed £1 million for a winning line. In special circumstances, such as certain promotional or Must Be Won draws, prize amounts can be adjusted or shared. The rules published by the National Lottery set out how this works.
You cannot claim this prize with the Bonus Ball on its own. It must be paired with exactly five main numbers. If your ticket shows that combination, keep it safe, sign the back if it is a paper ticket, and follow the National Lottery guidance for major wins.
How To Claim a Prize Won With the Bonus Ball
If your ticket has five main numbers plus the Bonus Ball, the claim process follows standard National Lottery rules.
Start by checking your numbers against the official results. For paper tickets, signing the back helps confirm ownership. Keep the ticket in good condition and store it somewhere safe until your claim is complete.
Smaller prizes are usually paid by retailers, typically up to around £500, depending on the shop’s cash on hand. For wins from £500 up to £50,000, most Post Offices can process payment once you present the ticket, complete a claim form and provide identification.
For prizes above £50,000, or if you played online, contact the National Lottery directly. They will explain what documents are needed and, for larger amounts, arrange an appointment to verify your details and issue payment.
There is a 180-day deadline from the date of the draw to claim any Lotto prize, including those involving the Bonus Ball, so it is sensible to check tickets soon after each draw.
If you would like support or advice about safer gambling, help is available at BeGambleAware.org and via the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, which is open 24 hours a day.
The Bonus Ball is simply a single extra draw that can lift a near-miss line into the second-tier prize. Once you know where it fits, checking your ticket becomes much clearer.
**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.