Ever wondered what those Lucky Stars on your EuroMillions ticket are for? If you’re aiming for a big prize, knowing how they fit into the draw is important.
They are more than a cosmetic extra: Lucky Stars change the prize structure and create additional ways to win. This guide explains what they are, how they are drawn, how they affect the odds and what to expect if you match them — all in clear, practical terms.
Read on to see how Lucky Stars influence both the prize tiers and the way you complete a ticket, and what that means for any entry you play.
Understanding Lucky Stars in EuroMillions
Lucky Stars are a pair of numbers drawn alongside the five main numbers in every EuroMillions draw. When you play, you select five main numbers from 1 to 50 and two Lucky Stars from a separate pool of 1 to 12. The two sets are entirely separate, and the Lucky Stars are drawn independently of the main numbers.
Their presence creates extra prize tiers: some prizes require one or both Lucky Stars in addition to a subset of the main numbers. For the jackpot you must match all five main numbers plus both Lucky Stars. Because the game has these additional combinations, there are more ways for a ticket to win something, though the top prizes remain difficult to obtain.
The addition of Lucky Stars alters the mathematical structure of the game by increasing the number of possible combinations across the tiers. That changes the odds for each level and explains why prize categories differ from other lotteries that use only a single number pool. Understanding this helps set realistic expectations about how different matches translate into prizes. If you want to see how the drawing itself works and how those two pools are kept separate, the next section explains the draw process in plain terms.
Do Lucky Stars Affect Your EuroMillions Odds?
Yes — requiring two Lucky Stars alongside five main numbers affects the odds for every prize tier. The jackpot requires five main numbers plus both Lucky Stars, which produces very long odds for the top prize: about 1 in 139 million. That figure reflects the combined difficulty of getting both sets of numbers correct.
Each prize tier has its own requirements that mix main numbers and Lucky Stars. For example, smaller prizes can be won by matching two or three main numbers together with one or two Lucky Stars, or by matching just the two Lucky Stars. Because these combinations vary, the odds change from one tier to the next. Generally, the more numbers required, the lower the chance of winning that tier.
This structure creates a broader spread of prize possibilities compared with a single-pool draw. It’s useful to think of Lucky Stars as a second layer of requirements that raise the threshold for the highest prizes while introducing more intermediate prize levels. With that in mind, the next section looks at the physical process used to draw the Lucky Stars so you can see how those numbers are selected on draw night.
Discover The Best Online Casinos
Browse our list of top-recommended casino sites, read reviews from real players & be the first to get access to the latest casino bonuses
How Are Lucky Stars Drawn?
Lucky Stars are drawn using a dedicated mechanical machine with balls numbered 1 to 12. This draw is separate from the machine that selects the five main numbers, so the two sets of balls never mix. Each ball is designed to be uniform in size and weight to avoid any mechanical bias.
The procedure is governed by strict controls and overseen by independent officials. Machines and balls are tested and inspected before and after draws, results are verified and recorded, and the whole process follows a documented protocol to ensure transparency. Draw footage and official results are made available so outcomes can be audited.
These safeguards mean the Lucky Star selection is performed to a consistent standard every time. With a clear idea of how the numbers are chosen, the next part explains how you indicate your Lucky Stars when completing a ticket.
How to Fill Out Lucky Stars on a EuroMillions Ticket
Filling out the Lucky Stars section of a EuroMillions ticket is straightforward. After selecting five main numbers from 1 to 50, you choose two Lucky Stars from 1 to 12 in the separate area marked on the play slip or on-screen. Each line you enter must include exactly two Lucky Stars to be valid.
Play can be completed at a retailer or through an online operator. On paper slips, the Lucky Stars area is clearly labelled; online platforms prompt for the two selections after the main numbers. Many systems also offer a random selection option that picks both the main numbers and the Lucky Stars automatically.
Check each line before submitting to ensure two Lucky Stars are marked, as an incorrect entry will not count. With the mechanics of filling a ticket covered, the next section clarifies the rule on how many Lucky Stars you may pick per line.
How Many Lucky Stars Can You Pick?
Each standard EuroMillions entry requires exactly two Lucky Stars chosen from the pool of 1 to 12. The rules do not allow selecting more or fewer than two per line. Whether marking a paper play slip, using an app or choosing a random selection, every line must include two Lucky Stars to be entered into the draw.
Some operators offer system entries or boxed options that let you cover additional main numbers, but even with those formats each individual line generated for the draw still contains exactly two Lucky Stars. The same requirement applies to subscriptions, syndicates and other multi-line purchases: each ticket line must show two Lucky Stars to be valid.
This format is consistent across participating operators and ensures every line conforms to the game’s prize structure. Having established how many to choose, the following section examines what happens if only the Lucky Stars match and not the full set of main numbers.
What Happens If You Match Lucky Stars but Not All Main Numbers?
Matching Lucky Stars without all five main numbers can still yield a prize, though typically a modest one. EuroMillions has 13 prize tiers, and several of these award winnings for combinations that include one or two Lucky Stars together with a subset of the main numbers. The exact payout depends on how many main numbers are matched alongside the Lucky Stars, and on how prize funds are distributed for that draw.
Prize Tiers Explained
The prize structure covers a range of combinations where Lucky Stars feature alongside main numbers. Examples of winning combinations that include Lucky Stars are:
- Two main numbers plus two Lucky Stars
- One main number plus two Lucky Stars
- Two Lucky Stars with no main numbers
The lowest prize can be awarded for matching just the two Lucky Stars, while larger amounts are reserved for combinations that include more main numbers. Prize values vary with ticket sales and the number of winners in each tier, so payouts for the same combination can differ between draws.
Common Misconceptions About Winning with Lucky Stars
Some players expect matching two Lucky Stars alone to deliver a substantial prize, but in practice that outcome produces a modest payout compared with higher tiers. The most valuable prizes require more main numbers in addition to one or both Lucky Stars.
Understanding which combinations actually pay out helps set reasonable expectations about prize levels. If you’re checking results or comparing prize structures, a single operator or independent comparison source will list the current odds and recent payouts; use one reliable source for any detailed figures.
How Are Lucky Star Numbers Chosen?
The mechanics of choosing Lucky Stars follow the same independent, mechanical process described earlier: a separate machine draws two balls from a 1–12 pool, with strict inspection and oversight to ensure fairness. Each draw is carried out according to official procedures and recorded for transparency.
Because the process is standardised and independently verified, every number in the Lucky Star pool has an equal opportunity to be drawn. The machines, balls and procedure are routinely checked and maintained to reduce the risk of mechanical bias, and draw records can be audited by regulators and participating operators.
With that certainty about selection mechanics, the final section explains how this system applies across the countries that participate in EuroMillions. The arrangements ensure the same independent drawing method is used for all draws, so the process is consistent regardless of where a ticket is purchased.
Are Lucky Stars the Same in All Participating Countries?
Yes. The Lucky Stars element is the same across all participating countries: two numbers selected from 1 to 12, drawn in the same way and governed by the same rules. Draws are synchronised and follow a single, shared prize structure, so the treatment of Lucky Stars does not vary by where a ticket is purchased.
This consistency means players across the participating nations enter under identical conditions for Lucky Stars and the related prize tiers. For anyone interested in practical differences such as how to buy a ticket or claim a prize in a particular country, operator-specific guidance is the place to check; the Lucky Star rules themselves remain uniform throughout the EuroMillions game.
The article has now covered what Lucky Stars are, how they’re drawn, how they affect odds and prizes, and how to mark them on a ticket — everything needed to understand their role in EuroMillions.
