How to Play DC 4
50¢ or $1 a play · Every day · 1:50 PM, 7:50 PM and 11:30 PM ET
- 1Pick 4 digits from 0 to 9, or ask for a Quick Pick.
- 2Choose Straight, Box, Front Three or Back Three.
- 3Choose 50¢ or $1 a play.
- 4Choose the Day, Evening or Night drawing, or all three.
- 5Play the same numbers for up to 7 drawings in a row if you like.
Ways to play
- StraightMatch all 4 digits in the exact order drawn.
- BoxMatch all 4 digits in any order.
- Front ThreeMatch the first 3 digits drawn, in exact order.
- Back ThreeMatch the last 3 digits drawn, in exact order.
You must be 18 or older to buy a ticket or claim a prize. Sales stop 1 minute before each drawing. See every prize
More DC 4 rulesStraight · Box · Front Three · Back Three · Prizes · Advance Play
- Straight
- Match all 4 digits in the exact order drawn.
- Box
- Match all 4 digits in any order. How many orders your number has sets the prize: three of one digit, like 1112, is 4-way; two pairs, like 4455, 6-way; one pair and two different digits, like 1123, 12-way; and four different digits, like 1234, 24-way.
- Front Three
- Pick 3 digits. Win if they match the first 3 of the 4 digits drawn, in exact order.
- Back Three
- Pick 3 digits. Win if they match the last 3 of the 4 digits drawn, in exact order.
- Prizes
- Every DC 4 prize is a set amount, paid in one payment, and a $1 play wins twice what a 50¢ play does. Front Three and Back Three plays pick 3 digits and win on the first or last 3 of the 4 drawn.
- Advance Play
- Besides playing up to 7 drawings in a row, you can buy any one drawing up to 7 days ahead by choosing its day and draw time. To play more than one, tell the retailer your start and end dates.
Reviewed by Bishop Woosley, former Director of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery and NASPL President.

You can't change DC 4's odds.
You can pick better scratch-offs.
The best Washington DC scratch-offs right now have up to x454 better big prize odds for $100 to $10K+ prizes.
Every Washington DC scratch-off ranked by today's odds
The best tickets for your budget and the prize you want
A free app, built on official DC Lottery data

More for DC 4 Players
When it’s drawn, where to cash a win, and how other games are played.
Good to know
- Before You PlayDC Lottery Draw Times Day 1:50 PM, Evening 7:50 PM, Night 11:30 PM ET, every day. Sales stop 1 minute before each drawing.
- After You WinHow to Claim a DC Lottery Prize Up to $600 at any lottery retailer. You have 180 days to claim.
- Keep MoreDC Lottery Tax Calculator DC 4’s $5,000 top prize: nothing withheld. Tax is withheld from prizes over $5,000.
How other Washington DC games are played
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers about DC 4 rules
How do you play DC 4?
Pick 4 digits from 0 to 9, or ask for a Quick Pick. Choose Straight, Box, Front Three or Back Three. Choose 50¢ or $1 a play. Choose the Day, Evening or Night drawing, or all three. Play the same numbers for up to 7 drawings in a row if you like.
What are the ways to play DC 4?
Straight: Match all 4 digits in the exact order drawn. Box: Match all 4 digits in any order. Front Three: Match the first 3 digits drawn, in exact order. Back Three: Match the last 3 digits drawn, in exact order.
How much is a DC 4 ticket in Washington DC?
50¢ or $1 a play.
How late can you buy DC 4 tickets?
The DC 4 cutoff time is 1 minute before each drawing: 1:49 PM ET for the 1:50 PM Day drawing, 7:49 PM ET for the 7:50 PM Evening drawing and 11:29 PM ET for the 11:30 PM Night drawing.
Still have questions? Email our support team


Download Free
Ready to Play Smarter?
Join 50,000+ players who've stopped guessing and started winning more. Download free—no credit card, no commitment. Your state's best games are waiting.
Free forever - No card requiredFree forever - No credit card required
Real-time odds from 41+ statesReal-time odds - Updated daily from 41+ states
Optimized for your budget & goalSmart recommendations - Optimized for your budget and goal
Find best game in 30 secondsSimple & fast - Find the best game within 30 seconds
Scan to Download
iOS & Android

100% Legal & Free Forever100% Legal & Transparent•Free forever plan available

