If you have ever watched a EuroMillions draw, you will have seen there is more to it than the five main numbers. Those extra digits, called Lucky Stars, often get mentioned when people talk about the biggest prizes.
So what are they, how do they sit alongside your main numbers, and why do they matter for different prize levels? It can look a bit technical at first, but once you see how the pieces fit together, it feels much simpler.
Whether you are new to EuroMillions or just want to double-check how your ticket works, this guide breaks down Lucky Stars clearly so you can read your slip with confidence and understand what each combination means.
What Are Lucky Stars In EuroMillions?
In EuroMillions, Lucky Stars are a separate set of numbers that sit alongside your five main numbers. You choose two Lucky Stars from a pool of 1 to 12, while your main numbers come from 1 to 50.
They are drawn after the main balls and form part of the seven-number combination on each line of your ticket. Matching them matters because they help determine which prize tier you fall into.
Because the Lucky Star pool is separate, none of your Lucky Stars can be the same as your main numbers. On a single line, you always end up with seven choices in total: five main numbers and two Lucky Stars.
How Many Lucky Stars Are There In The Draw?
There are 12 possible Lucky Star numbers in every draw. Two are selected from that pool, and they apply to all tickets for that draw.
When you fill in your entry, you choose two from 1 to 12. The smaller pool compared with the main numbers makes Lucky Stars a distinct feature of the EuroMillions format, shaping how the prize table is structured.
Now that the set-up is clear, it helps to know how those two numbers are actually chosen on the night.
How Are Lucky Stars Drawn?
Lucky Stars are drawn using a separate machine from the one used for the main numbers. Both draws take place during the same event, but the machines and number sets are independent.
All 12 Lucky Star balls are loaded, mixed and two are selected at random from that pool. The entire process is overseen, recorded and carried out under strict lottery rules to ensure fairness and transparency.
With the basics of how they are picked covered, the next thing most players want to understand is how those two numbers influence outcomes.
How Do Lucky Stars Affect Your Odds Of Winning?
Lucky Stars are central to how EuroMillions prizes are awarded. Several prize tiers require one or both Lucky Stars, while others rely only on main numbers. This structure creates more distinct combinations, which in turn shapes the probabilities of landing in each tier.
To win the jackpot, a ticket must match all five main numbers plus both Lucky Stars. That full seven-number match is rare, which is why the top prize can be so high.
Even without both Lucky Stars, many combinations still qualify for prizes. For example, two main numbers with one Lucky Star puts a ticket into a lower tier, while four main numbers with both Lucky Stars ranks higher than four mains without any Stars. In short, Lucky Stars act as important markers between prize levels.
Prize Tiers Involving Lucky Stars
EuroMillions has 13 prize tiers, and several of them involve Lucky Stars. The top prize requires five main numbers and both Stars. If a ticket has five main numbers and one Star, it falls into the second tier. Missing both Stars while matching five mains still leads to a significant prize, but it sits below the tier that includes one Star.
At mid levels, combinations such as four main numbers and both Stars sit above four mains with one or no Stars. At the lower end, two main numbers with one Star can yield a small payout, whereas matching only Lucky Stars without any main numbers does not qualify for a prize.
Because each tier is defined by a specific mix of main numbers and Lucky Stars, small differences between combinations can shift a ticket up or down the table.
How Winnings Are Calculated When You Match Lucky Stars
Example Calculations For Common Prize Tiers
EuroMillions prizes are funded by a portion of ticket sales and are then shared between all winners in each tier. The amount a player receives depends on the tier they are in and how many other tickets achieved the same combination in that draw.
Matching five main numbers with no Lucky Stars places a ticket in a high tier, but below the very top categories. Adding one Lucky Star to those five mains moves it up a tier, which typically results in a significantly larger payout than the five-mains-without-Stars outcome.
Lower combinations pay less. For instance, two main numbers with one Lucky Star usually returns a small amount, often in single figures, though the exact sum varies by draw because prizes are not fixed.
At the top, five main numbers plus both Lucky Stars is the winning jackpot combination. If multiple players achieve the same tier in any draw, the prize fund for that tier is split equally among them.
Understanding how tiers are calculated makes it easier to read your ticket, which brings us to where to find those Stars on your slip.
How To Read Your Ticket For Lucky Stars
On your EuroMillions ticket, the main numbers appear together as a group of five. Your two Lucky Stars are shown separately, often highlighted or placed in a distinct box so they are clear at a glance.
Layouts vary slightly between paper tickets, online entries and app confirmations, but the principle is the same: five main numbers first, followed by two Lucky Stars. Sometimes a small star symbol sits next to them to make them stand out.
When results are published, compare your two Lucky Stars with the two drawn for that game, along with your five main numbers. Other codes printed on the ticket are unrelated to the main draw and do not affect prize outcomes.
How Winners With Lucky Stars Claim Their Prizes
Claiming a prize that includes Lucky Stars follows the same process as any EuroMillions win in the UK. The route depends on how the ticket was bought and how much has been won.
For online entries or tickets bought in the National Lottery app, prizes up to £500 are usually paid directly into the player’s online account. For amounts between £501 and £30,000, the operator gets in touch to confirm details before transferring the funds. Larger wins, including those that involve Lucky Stars, require a direct claim arranged with the National Lottery team, who guide players through verification and payment.
For paper tickets bought in shops, smaller prizes can typically be paid by the retailer, subject to availability. Higher amounts may need to be collected at a designated outlet or claimed by post using a prize claim form.
Whatever the amount or channel, it is important to sign the back of a paper ticket and keep it safe, as that helps establish ownership. With a clear view of how Lucky Stars work, how they influence prize tiers and how to check and claim, you are well set to follow each draw with confidence.
**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.