How to Play DC 5
50¢ or $1 a play · Every day · 1:50 PM and 7:50 PM ET
- 1Pick 5 digits from 0 to 9, or ask for a Quick Pick.
- 2Choose Straight, Box, Front 4, Back 4, Front 3, Back 3, Front Pair or Back Pair.
- 3Choose 50¢ or $1 a play.
- 4Choose the Day or Evening drawing, or both.
- 5Play the same numbers for up to 7 drawings in a row if you like.
Ways to play
- StraightMatch all 5 digits in the exact order drawn.
- BoxMatch all 5 digits in any order.
- Front 4Match the first 4 digits drawn, in exact order.
- Back 4Match the last 4 digits drawn, in exact order.
- Front 3Match the first 3 digits drawn, in exact order.
- Back 3Match the last 3 digits drawn, in exact order.
- Front PairMatch the first 2 digits drawn, in exact order.
- Back PairMatch the last 2 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 5 rulesStraight · Box · Front 4 · Back 4 · Front 3 · Back 3 · Front Pair · Back Pair · Prizes · Advance Play
- Straight
- Match all 5 digits in the exact order drawn.
- Box
- Match all 5 digits in any order. How many orders your number has sets the prize: 11112 is 5-way, 11122 is 10-way, 11123 is 20-way, 11223 is 30-way, 11234 is 60-way and 12345 is 120-way.
- Front 4
- Pick 4 digits. Win if they match the first 4 of the 5 digits drawn, in exact order.
- Back 4
- Pick 4 digits. Win if they match the last 4 of the 5 digits drawn, in exact order.
- Front 3
- Pick 3 digits. Win if they match the first 3 of the 5 digits drawn, in exact order.
- Back 3
- Pick 3 digits. Win if they match the last 3 of the 5 digits drawn, in exact order.
- Front Pair
- Pick 2 digits. Win if they match the first 2 digits drawn, in exact order.
- Back Pair
- Pick 2 digits. Win if they match the last 2 digits drawn, in exact order.
- Prizes
- Every DC 5 prize is a set amount, and a $1 play wins twice what a 50¢ play does. Each play wins only its highest prize. Front and Back plays pick 4, 3 or 2 digits and win on the first or last digits 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.
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Good to know
- Before You PlayDC Lottery Draw Times Day 1:50 PM, Evening 7:50 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 Washington DC taxes winnings at up to 10.75%. 24% federal and 10.75% state tax are withheld from prizes over $5,000.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Answers about DC 5 rules
How do you play DC 5?
Pick 5 digits from 0 to 9, or ask for a Quick Pick. Choose Straight, Box, Front 4, Back 4, Front 3, Back 3, Front Pair or Back Pair. Choose 50¢ or $1 a play. Choose the Day or Evening drawing, or both. Play the same numbers for up to 7 drawings in a row if you like.
What are the ways to play DC 5?
Straight: Match all 5 digits in the exact order drawn. Box: Match all 5 digits in any order. Front 4: Match the first 4 digits drawn, in exact order. Back 4: Match the last 4 digits drawn, in exact order. Front 3: Match the first 3 digits drawn, in exact order. Back 3: Match the last 3 digits drawn, in exact order. Front Pair: Match the first 2 digits drawn, in exact order. Back Pair: Match the last 2 digits drawn, in exact order.
How much is a DC 5 ticket in Washington DC?
50¢ or $1 a play.
How late can you buy DC 5 tickets?
The DC 5 cutoff time is 1 minute before each drawing: 1:49 PM ET for the 1:50 PM Day drawing and 7:49 PM ET for the 7:50 PM Evening drawing.
Still have questions? Email our support team
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