New Mexico Pick 4 FAQs
Pick 4 is a lottery with two draws a day and some unfamiliar terms, so you may have a few questions about how it works. But it’s a very simple game once you know the basics, so take a look through the FAQs below and you’ll soon understand the difference between Straights, Boxes and Combos!
What is Pick 4?
Pick 4 is a lottery where just four numbers are drawn between 0 and 9. Many states have their own version of the game, and New Mexico’s is actually now known as Pick 4 Plus because there are now more ways to play and win than when it launched in February 2019.
When do drawings take place?
Pick 4 Plus drawings take place twice a day, seven days a week. Ticket sales stop for the Day draw at 1:00 PM MT, and for the Evening draw at 9:30 PM MT. The numbers are drawn immediately afterwards.
How do I play?
Choose four numbers between 0 and 9, decide on your wager type, and which draw(s) you want to enter. Go to the
How To Play page for a complete step-by-step guide
What play types are available?
You can play a Straight, Box, Straight/Box or Combo. A Straight is a wager on your numbers being drawn in exact order, whereas a Box is a wager on your numbers appearing in any order. A Straight/Box combines both play types. For a Combo, every combination of your numbers is played as a separate Straight.
How much does it cost to play?
Unlike some other versions of Pick 4, there is a fixed cost in New Mexico of $1 per play. For a Combo, the cost is therefore $4, $6, $12 or $24, depending on how many ways you play.
What’s the difference between 4-Way, 6-Way, 12-Way and 24-Way?
The difference is how many of each number you play. A 4-Way, for example, is where three of your four digits are the same, such as 1117, as it can only be arranged four ways (1117, 1171, 1711 and 7111). A 24-Way has four different numbers. See the
Ways To Play page for more details and examples.
How much can I win?
The top prize in NM Pick 4 Plus is $5,000, if you play a Straight and match the numbers exactly. All the other play types have their own prize amounts. Go to the
Odds and Prizes page.
What are the odds of winning?
The odds of matching four numbers in exact order are 1 in 10,000. Your chances of winning for the other wager types depend on how many ways you play.
Can I play multiple draws in advance?
Yes, you can play your numbers for up to 14 consecutive days (28 successive draws if you play both Day and Evening). You can also enter a future draw within the next week by indicating another day on your playslip. If you don’t choose a day, you will just be entered into the next available draw.
Does Pick 4 have an age limit?
The minimum age to play Pick 4 in New Mexico is 18.
Will my prize be taxed?
If you win more than $5,000, the New Mexico Lottery will withhold 6 percent in state taxes and 24 percent in federal taxes.
How can I claim a prize if I win?
For prizes up to $600, visit any NM Lottery retailer or send in your winning ticket by mail. For larger amounts, you’ll need to either mail in your ticket (with a completed claim form) or go to the lottery headquarters in Albuquerque.
How long do I have to claim prizes?
You have 90 days from the draw date to claim any Pick 4 prizes you win.
What happens if my ticket is lost or damaged?
You should contact the New Mexico Lottery if you have a winning ticket that has been damaged and cannot be processed. A ticket is your only proof that you are entitled to a prize, so you need to keep it safe and you won’t be able to claim anything if it gets lost. Make sure to sign the back of your tickets.
