Strike is the game-within-the-game: a Lotto add-on where winning comes down to one extra, unforgiving twist — getting the order right. Match the first four Lotto balls in the exact sequence they fall and an ordinary ticket can turn into a six-figure prize.
This guide explains what Strike is, the four ways to win, the real odds, what winners take home, and how to add it to a ticket — with responsible-play information at the end.
What Strike is
Strike is an optional add-on to New Zealand’s twice-weekly Lotto draw. Instead of choosing a separate set of numbers to match in any order, you are predicting the first four main balls in the exact order they are drawn. It launched in April 1993 and costs $1 per line. Since April 2017 you no longer have to attach it to a Lotto ticket — Strike can be bought on its own.
Strike numbers come from the same 1–40 pool as the main game, and the draw itself is the same physical event: the first four balls out of the Lotto machine decide every Strike result. Because those draws use physical ball machines with independent scrutineers, the order is genuinely random — the process is explained in the Lotto NZ FAQ — draws use physical ball machines with Audit NZ scrutineers.
That “exact order” rule is what sets Strike apart from — and makes it far harder than — regular Lotto, where the order the balls fall in never matters. Get the right four numbers in the right four positions and you win the top prize; have the right numbers in the wrong slots and it counts for nothing. For how matching works in the main game, see our guide on how many numbers you need to win Lotto.
A quick example makes it clear. If the first four balls are drawn 7, 21, 3, 38 and your Strike line reads 7-21-3-38, that is a Strike Four. But if your line reads 21-7-3-38 — the same numbers with the first two swapped — it wins nothing, even though every number appeared. Position is everything.
The four ways to win
Strike has four prize tiers, decided by how many of the first four balls you match in their correct positions.
Strike prize tiers
| Tier | Match (in order) | Odds | Typical prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strike Four | All 4 | 1 in 2,193,360 | Jackpot from $200,000 |
| Strike Three | Any 3 | 1 in 15,232 | About $668 |
| Strike Two | Any 2 | 1 in 274 | About $67 |
| Strike One | Any 1 | 1 in 11 | A free line |
Lower-tier cash amounts are averages and vary by draw. “In order” means position matters — the right numbers in the wrong slots do not win.
Matching all four in order is Strike Four, at odds of about 1 in 2,193,360. Matching any three in their correct positions is Strike Three (around 1 in 15,232), any two is Strike Two (around 1 in 274), and a single correctly placed number is Strike One (around 1 in 11), which pays a free line. The lower-tier cash amounts are averages and shift from draw to draw.
The Strike Four jackpot
Strike Four behaves like a mini-jackpot of its own.
Strike quick facts
- Starts at $200,000. If Strike Four is not won, it rolls over and grows by $200,000 a draw.
- Up to about $1.5 million. It can roll for up to ten draws, or until it hits the $1.5m cap, then a “Must Be Won” draw pays it out.
- $1 per line. You can add up to 20 Strike lines to a single ticket.
- Play it on its own. Since April 2017 Strike no longer has to be attached to a Lotto ticket.
- Drawn twice a week. Wednesday and Saturday, using the main Lotto draw’s first four balls.
It starts at $200,000. If nobody matches all four in order, it rolls over and grows by $200,000 a draw. It can climb to around $1.5 million, and once it reaches that cap — or after ten draws without a winner — a “Must Be Won” draw pays it out (if no one strikes all four, the money flows down to the next tier with winners). New Zealand has seen its first-ever $1.5 million Strike Must Be Won jackpot reached on exactly this basis. You can add up to 20 Strike lines to a single ticket at $1 each, and Strike is drawn twice a week, on Wednesday and Saturday, alongside the main Lotto draw.
What Strike wins look like
Strike Four winners collect anywhere from the $200,000 starting jackpot up to seven figures when the prize has rolled, and wins come from both in-store tickets and online play through MyLotto. Rather than list individual winners — which date quickly — we keep a verified, running round-up of the biggest Lotto wins in NZ, which includes notable Strike and Powerball prizes.
If you win, the process is the same as any Lotto prize: smaller amounts are paid at any outlet or credited to your MyLotto wallet, while larger prizes are handled through a Prize Claim Form and paid to your bank account. There is a full walkthrough in our guide on how to claim Lotto winnings in NZ. As with all New Zealand lottery prizes, Strike winnings are paid tax-free.
How to add Strike to your ticket
Adding Strike is simple. On a coupon or in the MyLotto app, choose Strike, then either pick four numbers from the 1–40 range in the order you think they will be drawn, or take a Dip and let the terminal choose for you. Each line is $1, on top of any Lotto and Powerball lines. Our Lotto ticket prices guide breaks down the full cost, and how to play Lotto in NZ covers the basics of a ticket.
It is worth knowing that Lotto NZ updates its games from time to time. The biggest recent change was to Powerball, which moved from a 10-ball to a 14-ball pool — see Lotto NZ’s own note on the Lotto NZ — Powerball changes from 13 September 2026. Strike’s format was not part of that overhaul, but rules and prizes can still change, so it is always worth checking current details. For the full background on the game — its 1–40 matrix, Strike and physical draws — see Wikipedia — Lotto New Zealand (matrix, Strike, physical draws).
One thing to remember: because the draw is a physical, random event, there is no way to predict the order the balls will fall. Strike is pure chance, and no system improves your odds — it is an extra bit of excitement, not a strategy.
Playing responsibly
Strike is designed as low-cost entertainment layered on top of Lotto, and it is best treated that way. The long odds on Strike Four mean it should never be seen as a way to make money.
Set a budget before you play and stick to it, resist adding extra Strike lines just because a jackpot has rolled over, and only ever use money that is surplus to essentials. If you play online you can set a hard spending limit, and if it ever stops feeling like fun, free and confidential support is available at any hour.
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This article is provided for general information only. It does not encourage anyone to gamble, buy lottery tickets or spend money on any product, and it is not financial, legal or professional advice. Lottery games are games of chance with a negative expected return, and no method improves your odds. Prizes, odds and rules change — always confirm current details with Lotto New Zealand at mylotto.co.nz before acting on anything here.
You must be 18 or over to buy or claim lottery products in New Zealand. If gambling is causing harm to you or someone you know, free 24/7 support is available from the Gambling Helpline on 0800 654 655 or by texting 8006, from Safer Gambling Aotearoa, and from PGF Services on 0800 664 262. Gambling in New Zealand is regulated by the Department of Internal Affairs.
Reference sources
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How do you win Lotto Strike in NZ?
You match the first four main Lotto balls in the exact order they are drawn. Matching all four in order wins Strike Four; matching three, two or one in their correct positions wins the lower tiers.
What are the odds of winning Strike Four?
About 1 in 2,193,360 — the toughest Strike tier, because the numbers must be in exact order. The lower tiers are far more likely: roughly 1 in 15,232 for Strike Three, 1 in 274 for Strike Two, and 1 in 11 for Strike One.
How much is the Strike jackpot?
Strike Four starts at $200,000 and rolls over if it is not won, growing by $200,000 a draw. It can reach around $1.5 million, at which point a “Must Be Won” draw pays it out.
How much does Strike cost, and can I play it on its own?
Each line costs $1, and you can add up to 20 Strike lines to a ticket. Since April 2017 you can play Strike on its own rather than only alongside a Lotto ticket.
Can I improve my chances of winning Strike?
No. The draw is a random physical event, so there is no way to predict the order of the balls and no system that improves your odds. Strike is purely a game of chance.
