Ever wondered what those “Lucky Stars” are all about when you’re filling in your EuroMillions ticket? You’re not alone — they’re a distinct part of the game and affect how prizes are awarded, yet the details can be unclear.
This article explains exactly what the Lucky Stars are, how they’re drawn, why they matter for prize tiers and odds, and what you need to know when you play. It will give you clear, practical information so you can approach the ticket with confidence and understanding.
Please note: EuroMillions play is available to adults aged 18 or over. Play within your means and be mindful of spending.
What Are EuroMillions Lucky Stars?
Lucky Stars are the two additional numbers you select on a EuroMillions ticket from a separate pool of numbers running from 1 to 12. A valid entry requires five main numbers (from a different pool) and two Lucky Stars. The combination of both sets of numbers decides which prize tier, if any, a ticket qualifies for.
These two numbers are drawn independently of the five main numbers. That separation creates a distinctive prize structure: some tiers require matching only main numbers, while the top prizes require matching both the full set of main numbers and both Lucky Stars. Understanding how the two pools interact makes it easier to follow the rest of the game’s structure. The next section explains how those Lucky Stars are selected during the draw.
How Are Lucky Stars Chosen?
In every draw, two Lucky Star numbers are selected at random from the pool of 1 to 12 using regulated draw equipment. The process is overseen and audited to ensure it is transparent and fair; every number in that pool has the same chance of being picked in any given draw.
Because the Lucky Stars are drawn from a separate pool, their selection is independent of the main numbers. That separation increases the total number of possible number combinations in a draw and is a key reason why prize tiers are structured as they are. With that mechanism in mind, the next section looks at how those numbers feed into prize determination.
Why Are Lucky Stars Important in EuroMillions?
Lucky Stars are central to how prizes are allocated. For the jackpot, a ticket must match all five main numbers plus both Lucky Stars; other tiers require different combinations of main numbers and one or both Lucky Stars. This layered structure creates a range of prizes from smaller payouts for matching a few main numbers to the highest payouts that include both Lucky Stars.
The separate pool for Lucky Stars increases the number of possible ticket outcomes, which in turn affects how often each prize tier is won and how prize funds are divided among winners. That explains why matching the Lucky Stars can have a major effect on the size of a prize. The following section outlines how those mechanics translate into actual odds.
How Do Lucky Stars Affect Your Chances of Winning?
Because Lucky Stars are selected from their own pool, they change the mathematics behind the draw. Requiring both Lucky Stars for the top prize means the number of possible winning combinations for the jackpot is much larger than if only the main numbers were used. Conversely, some lower prize tiers ignore the Lucky Stars entirely or require only one, so the presence of the extra pool affects each tier differently.
Matching one or both Lucky Stars can move a ticket into different prize levels even with the same number of main numbers matched. That interaction is why odds vary so much between tiers: it’s not just how many numbers you get right from the main pool, but also whether the Lucky Stars match. With this in mind, the next section describes how prizes are distributed across the tiers.
Prizes Linked to Lucky Star Numbers
Prizes are awarded across multiple tiers depending on the combination of main numbers and Lucky Stars matched. The jackpot requires all five main numbers plus both Lucky Stars. Other high-value tiers might require fewer main numbers but both Lucky Stars, while many lower tiers depend only on the number of main numbers matched.
Prize amounts fluctuate each draw because they depend on the total prize fund and the number of winners sharing each tier. The mechanics of sharing are straightforward: winners in the same tier split that tier’s prize pool equally. With a clearer sense of prize allocation, the next section explains the practicalities of entering Lucky Stars on a ticket.
How Do You Play Lucky Stars on a EuroMillions Ticket?
When completing a EuroMillions ticket, the layout separates the five main-number selections from the two Lucky Star selections; the latter come from 1 to 12. Players can pick numbers themselves or have them randomly generated through a quick-pick option. A ticket that lacks the two Lucky Stars is not a valid entry, so the selection step is essential.
Online platforms and retail forms both make the Lucky Stars selection straightforward: the interface or printed grid clearly marks the separate pool. Once numbers are chosen, the ticket is accepted for the next draw. To clarify common points that arise about Lucky Stars and outcomes, the final section answers frequently asked questions.
Common Questions About Lucky Stars
Can You Win Without Matching Any Lucky Stars?
Yes. Several lower prize tiers are based only on matching a certain number of the five main numbers, so it is possible to win without matching either Lucky Star. Higher tiers, including the jackpot, always require at least one or both Lucky Stars as specified for that tier.
What Happens If Two or More People Have the Same Lucky Stars?
When multiple winners hold tickets in the same prize tier — including identical Lucky Star matches — the prize for that tier is divided equally among all winners. This applies across all tiers, from the jackpot down to the smaller prizes.
Are Lucky Stars Always the Same Numbers?
No. Lucky Stars are freshly drawn each time from the 1–12 pool, so results vary from draw to draw. Past draws have no influence on future draws; every draw is conducted independently.
Understanding Lucky Stars clarifies why EuroMillions has its particular prize structure and why different tiers pay out as they do. With that knowledge, you can fill in a ticket with greater awareness of how your chosen numbers and the Lucky Stars interact with the game's prizes and odds.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.