How to Play Ohio Pick 5

Pick 5 is really easy to play, but you do have a number of options. You can buy tickets from authorized Ohio Lottery retailers throughout the Buckeye State.

Draws take place twice a day, seven days a week, at 12:29 PM and 7:29 PM. The Saturday evening draw is held at approximately 7:45 PM during the Cash Explosion TV show.

To play, you need to select five single-digit numbers from 0 to 9 and choose one of the bet types below:

Straight - you win by matching the numbers drawn in the exact order from left to right. Select any combination of numbers you like. You can wager $0.50 or $1.
Boxed - you win if your chosen numbers match the numbers drawn in any order. You can wager $0.50 or $1. Boxed bets can be:

a) 120-Way Boxed - You need to pick five unique numbers (for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

b) 60-Way Boxed - You need to pick a pair of the same number and three unique numbers (for example, 1, 1, 2, 3, 4)

c) 30-Way Boxed - You need to pick two different pairs of numbers and one unique number (for example, 1, 1, 2, 2, 3)

d) 20-Way Boxed - You need to pick three of the same number and two unique numbers (for example, 1, 1, 1, 2, 3)

e) 10-Way Boxed - You need to pick three of the same number and a pair of another number (for example, 1, 1, 1, 2, 2)

f) 5-Way Boxed - You need to pick four of the same number and one unique number (for example, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2)

Pair – This is a bet on the first two, three or four numbers, or the last two, three or four numbers. To win, your selected numbers must be drawn in exact order. This bet also has more types:

a) Front Four - You win if your first four numbers are drawn in exact order (for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, X)

b) Back Four - You win if the last four numbers are drawn in exact order (for example, X, 2, 3, 4, 5)

c) Front Three - You win if the first three numbers are drawn in exact order (for example, 1, 2, 3, X, X)

d) Back Three - You win if the last three numbers are drawn in exact order (for example, X, X, 3, 4, 5)

e) Front Pair - You win if the first two numbers are drawn in exact order (for example, 1, 2, X, X, X)

f) Back Pair - You win if the last two numbers are drawn in exact order (for example, X, X, X, 4, 5)

Back-Up – Combining both a Straight and a Box, this type of bet gives you the chance to win the top prize, but you still get decent odds of a smaller payout if you miss the jackpot. Match all the numbers in order and you will get both Straight and Boxed prizes. If all five of your numbers are drawn in a different order, you will only get the Boxed prize. The minimum wager is $1.