How to Play Rhode Island The Numbers
50¢–$5 a play · Every day · 1:30 PM and 7:29 PM ET
- 1Pick 4 digits from 0 to 9, or 3 or 2 for a shorter play, or ask for a Quick Pick.
- 2Choose 4 Digit, 3 Digit, Back 3 or 2 Digit, then Straight, Box or Combo.
- 3Choose 50¢, $1, $2 or $5 a play. A Combo costs twice that.
- 4Add Instant Match in stores for $1 more a play if you like.
- 5Choose Midday, Evening or both, for 1 day, 7 days or 30 days in a row.
Ways to play
- 4 Digit StraightMatch all 4 digits in the exact order drawn.
- 4 Digit BoxMatch all 4 digits in any order.
- 4 Digit ComboA Straight and a Box on one 4-digit number, at 2x the bet.
- 3 Digit StraightMatch the first 3 digits drawn, in exact order.
- Back 3 StraightMatch the last 3 digits drawn, in exact order.
- 3 Digit BoxMatch the first 3 digits drawn, in any order.
- Back 3 BoxMatch the last 3 digits drawn, in any order.
- 3 Digit ComboA Straight and a Box on the first 3 digits, at 2x the bet.
- Back 3 ComboA Straight and a Box on the last 3 digits, at 2x the bet.
- 2 Digit StraightMatch the first 2 digits drawn, in exact order.
Add-ons
- Instant Match$1 moreExtra numbers printed on your ticket: if one matches any of your digits, you win its prize on the spot.
You must be 18 or older to buy a ticket or claim a prize. Sales stop 10 minutes before the Midday drawing and 39 before the Evening. See every prize
More The Numbers rules4 Digit Straight · 4 Digit Box · 4 Digit Combo · 3 Digit Straight · Back 3 Straight · 3 Digit Box · Back 3 Box · 3 Digit Combo · Back 3 Combo · 2 Digit Straight · Prizes · Liability limit · Instant Match · Advance Play
- 4 Digit Straight
- Pick 4 digits. Win if they match the 4 digits drawn, in exact order.
- 4 Digit Box
- Match the 4 digits drawn in any order. How many orders your number has sets the prize: three of one digit, like 1222, wins on 4 orders, two pairs like 1212 on 6, a pair like 1223 on 12, and four different digits like 1234 on 24. The fewer orders, the bigger the prize.
- 4 Digit Combo
- Rhode Island calls this a Combo: a 4 Digit Straight and a 4 Digit Box on the same number, each at the amount you choose, so a $1 Combo costs $2. The exact order wins both prizes, and any other order wins the Box prize.
- 3 Digit Straight
- Pick 3 digits. Win if they match the first 3 of the 4 digits drawn, in exact order. The last digit doesn't count.
- Back 3 Straight
- Pick 3 digits. Win if they match the last 3 of the 4 digits drawn, in exact order. The first digit doesn't count.
- 3 Digit Box
- Win if your 3 digits match the first 3 drawn, in any order. Three different digits, like 123, win on 6 orders: $42 on 50¢, $84 on $1, $168 on $2 or $420 on $5, at odds of 1 in 167. A pair, like 122, wins on 3 orders: $83, $166, $332 or $830, at 1 in 333.
- Back 3 Box
- Win if your 3 digits match the last 3 drawn, in any order. Three different digits, like 123, win on 6 orders: $42 on 50¢, $84 on $1, $168 on $2 or $420 on $5, at odds of 1 in 167. A pair, like 122, wins on 3 orders: $83, $166, $332 or $830, at 1 in 333.
- 3 Digit Combo
- A 3 Digit Straight and a 3 Digit Box on the same number, each at the amount you choose, so a $1 Combo costs $2. The first 3 digits drawn in exact order win both prizes, and in any other order the Box prize. On a pair, like 122, the exact order wins $333 on 50¢, $666 on $1, $1,332 on $2 or $3,330 on $5, and another order $83, $166, $332 or $830.
- Back 3 Combo
- A Back 3 Straight and a Back 3 Box on the same number, each at the amount you choose, so a $1 Combo costs $2. The last 3 digits drawn in exact order win both prizes, and in any other order the Box prize. On a pair, like 122, the exact order wins $333 on 50¢, $666 on $1, $1,332 on $2 or $3,330 on $5, and another order $83, $166, $332 or $830.
- 2 Digit Straight
- Pick 2 digits. Win if they match the first 2 of the 4 digits drawn, in exact order. 2 Digit can only be played Straight.
- Prizes
- Every prize is a set amount. A $1 play pays twice the 50¢ prize, a $2 play four times and a $5 play ten times, from $25 for a 50¢ 2 Digit Straight up to $25,000 for a $5 4 Digit Straight. 4 Digit plays all four digits drawn, 3 Digit the first three, Back 3 the last three and 2 Digit the first two.
- Liability limit
- The Numbers pays set prizes, so the Rhode Island Lottery can limit how much is bet on any series of numbers on any day.
- Instant Match
- Instant Match is sold in stores only, not with a Quick Pick, for $1 more a play for Midday or Evening, or $2 for both. The terminal prints a set of numbers below yours, each with a prize. If any of them matches one of your digits, in any order, or a Bonus "$" sign appears, you win the prize beside it, up to $500, and can cash it right away for an exchange ticket for the drawing. The odds change as tickets are sold, and a ticket with Instant Match can't be canceled.
- Advance Play
- Play the same numbers for 7 or 30 days in a row, starting the day you buy, for Midday, Evening or both: up to 60 drawings. Online, you can also play 2 to 6 days.
Reviewed by Bishop Woosley, former Director of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery and NASPL President.
You can't change The Numbers' odds.
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More for The Numbers Players
When it’s drawn, where to cash a win, and how other games are played.
Good to know
- Before You PlayRhode Island Lottery Draw Times Midday 1:30 PM, Evening 7:29 PM ET, every day. Sales stop 10 minutes before the Midday drawing and 39 before the Evening.
- After You WinHow to Claim a Rhode Island Lottery Prize Up to $599 at any lottery retailer. You have one year to claim.
- Keep MoreRhode Island Lottery Tax Calculator Rhode Island taxes winnings at up to 5.99%. 24% federal and 5.99% state tax are withheld from prizes over $5,000.
How other Rhode Island games are played
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers about Rhode Island The Numbers rules
How do you play Rhode Island The Numbers?
Pick 4 digits from 0 to 9, or 3 or 2 for a shorter play, or ask for a Quick Pick. Choose 4 Digit, 3 Digit, Back 3 or 2 Digit, then Straight, Box or Combo. Choose 50¢, $1, $2 or $5 a play. A Combo costs twice that. Add Instant Match in stores for $1 more a play if you like. Choose Midday, Evening or both, for 1 day, 7 days or 30 days in a row.
What are the ways to play The Numbers?
4 Digit Straight: Match all 4 digits in the exact order drawn. 4 Digit Box: Match all 4 digits in any order. 4 Digit Combo: A Straight and a Box on one 4-digit number, at 2x the bet. 3 Digit Straight: Match the first 3 digits drawn, in exact order. Back 3 Straight: Match the last 3 digits drawn, in exact order. 3 Digit Box: Match the first 3 digits drawn, in any order. Back 3 Box: Match the last 3 digits drawn, in any order. 3 Digit Combo: A Straight and a Box on the first 3 digits, at 2x the bet. Back 3 Combo: A Straight and a Box on the last 3 digits, at 2x the bet. 2 Digit Straight: Match the first 2 digits drawn, in exact order.
What is Instant Match in Rhode Island The Numbers?
Extra numbers printed on your ticket: if one matches any of your digits, you win its prize on the spot.
How much is a ticket for The Numbers in Rhode Island?
50¢–$5 a play. Add-ons: Instant Match ($1 more).
How late can you buy Rhode Island The Numbers tickets?
The Rhode Island The Numbers cutoff time is 10 minutes before the Midday drawing and 39 before the Evening: 1:20 PM ET for the 1:30 PM Midday drawing and 6:50 PM ET for the 7:29 PM Evening drawing.
Still have questions? Email our support team
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