You’re standing at a gas station in Greenville or maybe a corner store in Charleston. You see the neon lottery signs. Most people are staring at the massive Powerball jackpots, dreaming of private islands. But there is a group of regulars who ignore the big signs. They’re looking for the Cash 4 South Carolina (officially known as Pick 4) slips.
Why? Because $5,000 today is often better than a billion-to-one shot at a jackpot you'll likely never see.
Honestly, the "Cash 4" name is how most locals refer to it, even though the South Carolina Education Lottery (SCEL) technically brands it as Pick 4. It’s a game of precision. It’s a game of "what if." And for many South Carolinians, it’s a daily ritual as common as sweet tea.
How the Game Actually Works
Basically, you pick four numbers from 0 to 9. You can choose anything from 0000 to 9999. Then you decide how much you want to bet—usually 50 cents or a dollar. It sounds simple, but the "Play Type" is where people get tripped up.
If you play Straight, you have to get the numbers in the exact order. If the balls drop 1-2-3-4 and you have 4-3-2-1, you get nothing. Zero. But if you hit it? A $1 bet pays out $5,000.
Then there's the Box play. This is for people who don't want to be stressed about the order. As long as your four numbers show up in any combination, you win. The payout is lower, obviously, but your odds of walking away with something are way better.
The Math of the Box
Not all Boxes are created equal. It depends on the numbers you choose:
- 24-Way Box: You pick four different numbers (like 1-2-3-4). There are 24 ways those can be arranged.
- 12-Way Box: You have two identical numbers (like 1-1-2-3).
- 6-Way Box: You have two pairs (like 1-1-2-2).
- 4-Way Box: You have three of a kind (like 1-1-1-2).
The 4-Way Box pays more because it’s harder to hit. A 24-Way Box is the "safest" bet in this category, but the prize is the smallest.
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The Fireball Factor
In recent years, the SC Lottery added something called FIREBALL. It basically doubles the cost of your ticket. If you spent $1, now you're spending $2.
After the regular four numbers are drawn, they draw one extra "Fireball" number from 0 to 9. You can use that Fireball number to replace any of the drawn numbers to create a winning combination.
Let's say the winning numbers are 1-2-3-4 and the Fireball is 9. If you had 9-2-3-4 on your ticket, you just won. It significantly increases your chances of winning, though the prize amounts for Fireball wins are slightly different from the base game. It's kinda like a safety net for when you're "just one off."
When to Watch the Drawings
South Carolina doesn't sleep on this game. They do drawings twice a day, every single day, except for Christmas Day and Sunday middays.
Midday Draw: 12:59 p.m. (Monday through Saturday)
Evening Draw: 6:59 p.m. (Daily)
If you miss the live broadcast on local stations like WIS in Columbia or WYFF in Greenville, you can just check the website. Most people just scan their tickets at the terminal the next time they're buying milk.
What Most People Get Wrong About "Hot" Numbers
You'll see people at the counter with notebooks. They’re tracking "hot" and "cold" numbers. They think because "7" hasn't been drawn in three weeks, it’s "due."
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Here is the cold, hard truth: the balls don't have a memory.
Each drawing is a completely independent event. The physics of the plastic balls bouncing in the machine doesn't care that 1-1-1-1 was drawn last month or hasn't been drawn in ten years. The odds for a straight win are always 1 in 10,000. Every single time.
That said, some people enjoy the "1-Off" play type. This is a specific option where you win if your numbers are just one digit higher or lower than the numbers drawn. It’s perfect for the person who always says, "I was so close!"
Claiming the Loot
If you actually win, don't lose the ticket. Seriously. Sign the back of it immediately. If you lose an unsigned ticket and someone else finds it, it's theirs.
For prizes up to $500, you can just go to any authorized lottery retailer. They’ll usually pay you out in cash or a store check right there.
If you hit the $5,000 top prize, you're going to have to do a bit more work. You can claim it by mail or head to the Columbia Claims Center. If you're heading to Columbia, make sure you bring a photo ID and your Social Security card. They're open 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but they usually want you there by 4:00 p.m. to finish the paperwork.
Realities of the Payout
Keep in mind that the government wants their cut. For any prize over $500, the lottery is required to report it. If you win over $5,000, they are going to withhold state and federal taxes before you even see the check.
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In South Carolina, the state tax is roughly 7%. Add the federal withholding (usually 24% for citizens), and your $5,000 win starts looking more like $3,450. It’s still a great day, but it’s not exactly "quit your job" money.
Strategies for Regular Players
While you can't beat the math, you can play smarter.
Many veteran players prefer the Combo play. This is basically buying every possible "Straight" combination of your four numbers. If you pick 1-2-3-4 and play a 24-Way Combo, you are essentially buying 24 different tickets. It’s expensive—a $1 play would cost you $24—but if any combination of those numbers hits, you get the full $5,000.
It’s a high-roller version of the Box play. Instead of winning a smaller "Box" prize, you win the big "Straight" prize.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Play
If you're going to play Cash 4 South Carolina, do it with a plan:
- Set a strict budget. This is entertainment, not an investment strategy. If you have $5 for the week, stick to it.
- Understand your "Way." If you're playing a Box, know if you have a 4-way, 6-way, 12-way, or 24-way number. It changes your payout expectations.
- Check for "Advance Play." If you have a "lucky" number you play every day, use the Advance Play option on the slip. You can buy up to 14 draws in advance so you don't have to run to the store every morning.
- Use the SC Lottery App. It has a ticket checker that uses your phone's camera. It’s way more reliable than squinting at a newspaper or a grainy screen.
- Sign your ticket. Do it the moment the clerk hands it to you.
The most important thing to remember is that this game supports the Education Lottery Account. Since 2002, this money has funded scholarships and grants for South Carolina students. So, even if your numbers don't come up, the money is technically going toward textbooks and tuition for someone in the Palmetto State.
Stick to the odds, enjoy the excitement of the 6:59 p.m. draw, and always play within your means.