You’re standing at a convenience store counter on Dorchester Ave, staring at that little slip of paper. Maybe it’s raining outside. Most people think the boston lottery pick 3 pick 4 is just about guessing some digits and hoping for the best. It isn’t. Well, technically, in Massachusetts, we don't even call them "Pick 3" or "Pick 4" anymore. That’s the first thing everyone misses.
Since 1976, the Bay State has run "The Numbers Game." It’s a staple.
If you ask a clerk for a "Pick 4," they’ll know what you mean. But on the official slip? It’s all one game. You choose how many digits to play. You can play one, two, three, or four. Most locals just focus on the "trips" or the "quads." It’s simpler that way.
The Numbers Game: How It Actually Works
Here’s the deal. You pick four numbers from 0 to 9. Simple? Not really. The Massachusetts State Lottery draws these numbers twice a day. There is a Midday drawing at 2:00 p.m. and an Evening drawing at 9:00 p.m. You can play for as little as $0.25.
Wait.
A quarter? Yeah. That’s a rarity. Most states force you into a $1 minimum. In Boston, you can stretch your luck with loose change. But keep in mind, the payout is pari-mutuel. This is the part that trips people up.
Unlike a lot of states where a Pick 3 "Exact Order" win pays a flat $500, Massachusetts splits the pot. If a lot of people play the same "lucky" number—like 0717 on the anniversary of the moon landing—and it hits? Your payout is going to be tiny. The prize pool is basically 63% of the total sales for that specific drawing. If you're the only winner, you're golden. If half of Southie played your birthday, you're getting lunch money.
Betting Styles You Need to Know
Most people stick to "Exact Order." You want 1-2-3-4? It has to come out 1-2-3-4.
But there’s also "Any Order."
If you play 1-2-3-4 "Any Order," you win if those numbers show up in any combination.
1-4-3-2.
4-3-2-1.
Doesn't matter.
The odds change depending on if your numbers are unique or if you have doubles.
Playing 1-1-2-2 is a different beast than 1-2-3-4.
The lottery calls these "4-way," "6-way," "12-way," or "24-way" boxes.
Basically, it’s just math showing how many ways those numbers can be rearranged.
Honestly, the "Any Order" bet is the safety net. You win less, but you win more often.
Why Boston Lottery Pick 3 Pick 4 Strategy is Mostly Myth
I’ve seen guys at the Pru with notebooks full of "hot" and "cold" numbers. They swear by it. They think because 5 hasn't shown up in three days, it’s "due."
The balls don't have memories.
Every single drawing is a fresh start. The probability of 1-1-1-1 appearing today is the exact same as it was yesterday, even if it actually hit yesterday.
The real "strategy"—if you can call it that—is avoiding "public" numbers.
Avoid sequences like 1-2-3-4.
Avoid 1-9-7-5 or 2-0-2-4.
Avoid 7-7-7.
Because of that pari-mutuel system I mentioned, these popular numbers have a lower "Expected Value." You're essentially betting against other people’s lack of creativity. When you win with a common number, you share the prize. When you win with 8-3-1-0, you’re more likely to keep a bigger slice of that 63% pool.
The Taxes Nobody Likes
If you hit big on the boston lottery pick 3 pick 4, the taxman is waiting.
In Massachusetts, anything over $600 gets reported.
The state takes 5% right off the top.
The IRS? They want their 24% if you're north of $5,000.
If you win $5,100, you aren't actually seeing $5,100. You're walking away with a lot less after the Commonwealth and the Feds take their cut.
You can claim smaller prizes at any local lottery agent. If you’re at a packie in Eastie and you win $100, they’ll usually pay you out in cash right there. But if you hit the "Quads" for a few grand? You're heading to the Lottery headquarters in Dorchester or a regional office like Woburn or New Bedford.
Realities of the 2:00 PM vs. 9:00 PM Draws
Midday draws are weird. Usually, fewer people play.
This can be a double-edged sword.
Lower sales mean a smaller prize pool.
But it also means fewer people to split the winnings with.
Evening draws are the heavy hitters. That’s when the volume comes in. If you're looking for that "lightning in a bottle" moment where you hit an obscure number and the pool is massive, the evening draw is your best bet.
One thing people often forget is the "Multi-Draw" option.
You’ve got a set of lucky numbers?
You can play them for up to 20 consecutive drawings.
It saves you the trip to the store, but it also locks you in.
Practical Next Steps for Players
If you're actually going to play the boston lottery pick 3 pick 4 (The Numbers Game), stop doing what the "system" guys do.
First, check the official Massachusetts State Lottery website or their app. Don't trust third-party "prediction" sites. They’re usually just trying to sell you a PDF of "secrets" that don't exist.
Second, download the "MA Lottery" app. You can scan your tickets with your phone. It’s way better than squinting at a monitor or trying to read the tiny print in the Herald.
Third, if you win more than $600, don't just rush to Dorchester. Make sure you have your ID and your Social Security card ready. They won't pay you without them.
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Finally, keep it fun. This is a game of pure chance. The house always has the edge, and in Massachusetts, that edge goes back into local aid for cities and towns. So, even if you lose, you’re technically helping fix a pothole somewhere. Sorta.
Check the "Past Winning Numbers" on the official site to see the recent payouts. It’ll give you a real sense of what those pari-mutuel prizes actually look like in practice. You'll quickly see why hitting "trips" (three of a kind) isn't always the jackpot people think it is.
Go check your old tickets. You might have a "Front Pair" or "Back Pair" win you didn't even realize you had. Most people don't even know you can win just by matching the first two or last two digits. Take a look at your last slip and see if those first two numbers match the midday draw. You might be owed a few bucks.