What Happens If You Match 2 Numbers on the Lottery?
This is an independent, informational guide for UK readers and is not affiliated with the organisations mentioned. It is provided for general information only.
If you match two main numbers on the UK Lotto, you win a free Lucky Dip entry into the next draw rather than a cash prize. The one exception is a Must Be Won rolldown, where Match 2 winners also receive a fixed £5 on top of the free Lucky Dip.
The Match 2 prize
On the National Lottery's main Lotto game, matching two of the main numbers wins you a free Lucky Dip entry into the next Lotto draw, rather than a cash prize.
It is the smallest prize tier, and the overall odds of winning any Lotto prize are about 1 in 9.3.
When you get cash too
In a "Must Be Won" draw, where the jackpot rolls down, Match 2 winners also receive a fixed £5 on top of the free Lucky Dip.
Outside a rolldown, the prize for two numbers is the free Lucky Dip alone.
How to claim it
If you played in a shop, take your ticket to any National Lottery retailer and the free Lucky Dip will be issued for the next draw. If you played online, it is added to your account automatically.
For shop multi-draw tickets, you'll be given an exchange ticket for any remaining draws — keep it safe, as you need it to claim later wins.
The other Lotto prize tiers
For context, matching three numbers wins £30, four wins £140, five wins £1,750, and five plus the bonus ball wins £1 million, with the jackpot for matching all six.
Match 2 sits at the bottom of that ladder, which is why its prize is a free entry rather than cash.
It is worth knowing that the Match 2 prize is deliberately a free entry rather than cash, which is why it doesn't put money back in your pocket outside a rolldown. Treating it as a small bonus, rather than a return, keeps expectations realistic about what two matching numbers is actually worth.
What do you win for 2 numbers on the Lotto?
A free Lucky Dip entry into the next Lotto draw — and a fixed £5 as well in a Must Be Won rolldown.
Do you get cash for matching 2 numbers?
Only in a Must Be Won rolldown, when Match 2 wins £5 plus the Lucky Dip. Normally it is just the Lucky Dip.
How do I claim a Match 2 Lucky Dip?
Take the ticket to any retailer, or it is credited automatically if you played online.
How much do you win for 3 numbers on the Lotto?
A fixed £30. Four numbers wins £140 and five wins £1,750.
Related guides: What is a Lucky Dip?, What is a Must Be Won draw?, How to claim winnings
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