Irish Lotto Bonus Ball

The Bonus Balls for Irish Lotto, Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 are important for regular ticket holders as they create additional prizes, but they are also relevant to those who take part in Irish Lotto betting, with some operators offering markets relating to the Bonus Balls of the three draws. Find out more about the role of the Bonus Ball below.

How the Bonus Ball Works

Although players of Irish Lotto, Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 must pick and match six numbers to win the jackpot, there are seven balls drawn in each game. The seventh is the Bonus Ball, which is taken from the remaining 39 balls in the machine and only comes into play when you also match two, three, four or five main numbers.

The Bonus Ball creates additional prizes in those cases but it is not possible to match six main numbers and the Bonus Ball, as you only select six balls on your entry. EuroMillions works differently in that the additional numbers in that game - the Lucky Stars - are taken from a separate pool and must be matched along with the main numbers to claim the jackpot.

Irish Lotto Bonus Ball Betting

Some bookmakers offer bets on one or more of the Bonus Balls from Irish Lotto, Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2. With Betfred, for example, you can bet on the Irish Lotto 6-Ball draw (using just the main numbers) or a 7-Ball draw (using the main numbers and the Bonus). You can decide whether to try and match one, two, three, four or five numbers. When you bet on the 7-Ball version, your odds of winning are better as you have an extra number to match. The 6-Ball game offers larger prizes but they are harder to win.

Some bookmakers offer wagers on the colour of the Irish Lotto Bonus Ball, whether it will be an odd or even number and even the exact number drawn.