For the Louisiana Pick 4 game, a 'Straight' play offers a winning of $5,000, while a '4-Way Box' play can win $1,200 for a $1.00 wager. A 'Straight Box' wager combines these play types, meaning your winnings depend on whether your selected numbers match the winning draw in exact order or in any order.
Understanding Louisiana Pick 4 Winnings
The Louisiana Pick 4 game provides various ways to play and win, with payouts directly tied to the play type and the accuracy of your number match. The standard wager for these play types is $1.00.
Play Types and Payouts
| Play Type | Description | Payout (for $1.00 play) |
|---|---|---|
| Straight (Exact Order) | Your 4 chosen digits must match the winning numbers in the exact order. | $5,000 |
| Box (Any Order) | Your 4 chosen digits must match the winning numbers in any order. The payout varies based on the number of unique digits in your chosen number. | (See specific box types below) |
| 4-Way Box | Applicable when your 4 chosen digits consist of three unique numbers (e.g., 1123, 1223, 1233). | $1,200 |
A Straight play requires all four digits to be in the precise sequence drawn. For instance, if you play 1234 Straight, you only win if the winning numbers are exactly 1234. The odds of winning a Straight play are 1 in 10,000.
Box plays, on the other hand, allow your numbers to match in any sequence. The payout for a Box play depends on the specific combination of digits you choose, which determines the "way" of the box. For example, a "4-Way Box" applies to numbers with one pair of identical digits (e.g., 1123, 1223, or 1233), meaning there are four possible combinations for those digits to be drawn. Other Box types (like 6-Way, 12-Way, or 24-Way) exist for different number combinations, but their specific payouts are not detailed for a $1.00 play in this context.
What is a "Straight Box" Wager?
A "Straight Box" wager is a combined play where you are effectively placing both a Straight bet and a Box bet on the same set of four numbers. This type of wager increases your chances of winning, as you can win if the numbers match exactly (Straight) or in any order (Box). The cost of a Straight Box wager is typically higher than a single Straight or Box play, as it covers both possibilities.
When you play a Straight Box combination:
- If your numbers match the winning numbers in exact order: You win the payout for both the Straight play and the corresponding Box play. For a 4-Way Box scenario, this would mean winning the $5,000 Straight prize PLUS the $1,200 4-Way Box prize, totaling $6,200.
- If your numbers match the winning numbers in any order (but not exact order): You win only the payout for the Box play. For a 4-Way Box, this would be $1,200.
For example, if you play "1123 Straight Box" and the winning number is 1123, you win both the Straight and the 4-Way Box prize. If the winning number is 1132 (any order match), you win only the 4-Way Box prize.
It is important to note that the specific payout for the Box portion of a "Straight Box" wager depends on the unique digits in your chosen number. The Louisiana Lottery specifies the payout for a "4-Way Box" at $1,200. Other Box types, which depend on whether your numbers have two pairs, three identical digits, or four unique digits, would have different Box payouts.
