You’re standing at a gas station in Albuquerque or maybe a little shop in Las Cruces. You see those colorful play slips. Most people grab a Powerball ticket because the jackpot is massive, but honestly, the odds of winning that are basically zero. That is why New Mexico Pick 4—now officially called Pick 4 Plus—is kind of a cult favorite. It’s a daily game. You don't have to wait months for a drawing, and you aren't competing with 300 million people across the country. It is just you against ten thousand possible combinations.
The game changed a bit back in 2021. If you haven't played in a while, you might notice the "Plus" part. Basically, the New Mexico Lottery added more ways to win, but they also shifted some things around, like how the pair bets work.
How New Mexico Pick 4 Actually Works
It’s pretty straightforward. You pick four numbers. Each number is between 0 and 9. You can pick the same number more than once if you want, like 1-1-2-2.
There are two drawings every single day. One happens at 1:00 PM (the Day drawing) and the other at 9:30 PM (the Evening drawing). You’ve gotta get your tickets by 1:00 PM for the first one and 9:30 PM for the second, or you’re stuck waiting for the next round.
Tickets are usually just $1.
The Play Types (And Why They Matter)
This is where most people get confused. You don't just "play." You have to choose how you want to win.
- Straight: This is the big one. You have to match the numbers in the exact order they are drawn. If you pick 1-2-3-4 and the balls come out 4-3-2-1, you get nothing. But if you hit it? You’re looking at a $5,000 top prize.
- Box: This is for people who want a better chance. You win if your numbers show up in any order. Of course, the payout is lower because it’s easier to hit.
- Straight/Box: Kinda the middle ground. Half your buck goes to a Straight bet and half goes to a Box.
- Combo: This basically covers every possible Straight combination of your four numbers. It costs more—anywhere from $4 to $24—but if your numbers come up at all, you win that $5,000 Straight prize.
The "Plus" Features: Front, Middle, and Back Pairs
New Mexico added something unique called Middle Pair. Most states just do Front and Back. In New Mexico Pick 4, you can bet $1 just to match the first two, the middle two, or the last two numbers.
If you play a Front Pair of 1-2 and the drawing starts with 1-2-X-X, you win $50. It’s a nice little "snack" prize. What's weird is that if you buy just a pair, your ticket will literally have asterisks on it, like 1-2--. It looks like a printing error, but it’s totally normal. It just means those other two numbers don't matter for your specific bet.
Understanding the Payouts and Odds
I should probably mention that these prizes aren't always set in stone. New Mexico uses something called "pari-mutuel" payouts.
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Basically, the lottery has a "cap" on how much they’ll pay out for a single drawing. For the Straight prize, that cap is usually around $125,000. If 25 people all win the $5,000 Straight prize, everything is fine. But if 100 people all play the same number (like 1-1-1-1) and it actually hits, the lottery isn't going to pay out $500,000. They’ll split that $125,000 pool between all the winners.
It doesn't happen often, but it’s something to keep in mind if you like playing "popular" numbers.
A Quick Breakdown of What You Can Win
- Straight ($1 play): $5,000 prize. Odds are 1 in 10,000.
- 24-Way Box: You pick four different numbers (1-2-3-4). Prize is $200. Odds are 1 in 417.
- 12-Way Box: Two numbers are the same (1-1-2-3). Prize is $400. Odds are 1 in 833.
- 6-Way Box: Two pairs (1-1-2-2). Prize is $800. Odds are 1 in 1,667.
- 4-Way Box: Three numbers are the same (1-1-1-2). Prize is $1,200. Odds are 1 in 2,500.
[Image showing the probability of different Pick 4 number combinations]
Common Misconceptions About New Mexico Pick 4
A lot of folks think that "Quick Picks" are luckier than picking your own numbers. Honestly? It makes zero difference to the machine. The balls don't know if a computer chose your numbers or if you used your grandma’s birthday.
Another big mistake is thinking that if a number hasn't been drawn in a while, it's "due." This is called the Gambler's Fallacy. Every single drawing is a fresh start. The odds of 0-0-0-0 being drawn are exactly the same as 1-2-3-4, even if 0-0-0-0 was drawn yesterday.
How to Claim Your Winnings
If you actually win, don't sit on the ticket. You only have 90 days from the drawing date to claim your prize in New Mexico.
If you won under $600, you can usually just go back to any lottery retailer (the gas station or grocery store) and they’ll pay you out in cash right there. If you hit the $5,000 Straight prize, you’re going to have to mail it in or head to the lottery headquarters in Albuquerque.
One thing people forget: you have to sign the back of your ticket immediately. In the eyes of the law, a lottery ticket is a "bearer instrument." That means whoever holds the ticket owns the prize. If you drop a winning ticket and you didn't sign it, whoever finds it can claim your money. Don't be that person.
Strategy and Practical Steps
Look, there is no "secret system" to beat the lottery. If there was, I’d be writing this from a yacht. But you can play smarter.
- Check the "Pari-mutuel" Thresholds: If you’re going to play a very common number like 1-2-3-4 or 7-7-7-7, just know your prize might be diluted if a lot of other people have the same idea.
- Use the Multi-Draw Feature: If you have "your" numbers, you can play them for up to 14 consecutive drawings. It saves you from having to run to the store every day.
- Keep Your Receipts: Seriously. Check your numbers against the official New Mexico Lottery website. Sometimes retailers make mistakes, or you might misread a 6 as a 0.
- Set a Budget: It’s a $1 game, but those dollars add up fast. Decide how much you’re willing to spend a week and stick to it.
New Mexico Pick 4 is a game of chance, but it's also a bit of local flavor. Whether you're playing the Day draw or the Evening draw, the most important thing is to sign that ticket and check the numbers yourself.
To get started, visit a local New Mexico Lottery retailer and ask for a Pick 4 Plus play slip. Make sure to choose your play type clearly—Straight, Box, or one of the Pair options—and double-check your printed ticket for accuracy before leaving the counter. If you've won, claim prizes under $600 at any authorized retailer, or contact the New Mexico Lottery headquarters for larger amounts.