Should You Add Extra Numbers, Stars or Bonus Fields in the Lottery? How It Really Changes Your Odds
In many modern lotteries across Europe, players are offered the option to add “extra numbers”, “stars”, “bonus balls” or additional fields for an extra fee. EuroMillions has Lucky Stars, Powerball has a Power Play multiplier, and several national lotteries include supplementary numbers that can increase prizes. The question most players ask is simple: does ticking that extra box genuinely improve your chances, or does it merely increase the cost of playing? In this article, we will break down how additional numbers affect probability, what they change in real terms, and whether they are statistically worth the extra stake in 2026.
How Extra Numbers Work in Major Lotteries
To understand whether additional numbers are worth it, we first need to look at structure. In EuroMillions, for example, players select 5 main numbers from 1 to 50 and 2 Lucky Stars from 1 to 12. The jackpot requires matching all 5 main numbers plus both stars. In contrast, the UK National Lottery draws 6 main numbers plus a Bonus Ball, but the Bonus Ball only applies to specific lower-tier prize categories.
Extra numbers are not random “add-ons” layered on top of the same odds. They are integrated into the prize matrix. In EuroMillions, the inclusion of Lucky Stars significantly increases the number of possible combinations. As of 2026, the total number of possible EuroMillions combinations is 139,838,160. The Lucky Stars component alone multiplies the number of potential outcomes dramatically.
In other lotteries, optional features such as Power Play (in Powerball) do not alter the odds of winning but multiply non-jackpot prizes for an additional fee. This distinction is critical. Some extras change probability. Others only change payout structure. Players often confuse these two mechanisms.
Do Extra Numbers Improve Your Chance of Winning?
From a strict probability perspective, adding extra numbers in lotteries like EuroMillions does not “improve” your jackpot odds unless the game design allows alternative combinations. In fact, because the jackpot requires matching more elements, the odds of hitting the top prize become longer compared to simpler 6/49-style games.
For example, in a classic 6/49 format, the odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 13,983,816. In EuroMillions, because you must match 5 numbers and 2 stars, the odds are 1 in 139,838,160. The additional stars expand the total combination pool rather than narrowing it.
However, extra numbers can improve your chances of winning any prize. More prize tiers exist. Matching fewer main numbers plus one or two stars can still produce a return. So while jackpot probability decreases in structural complexity, overall prize-hit frequency may increase depending on the lottery design.
The Mathematical Impact on Expected Value
Expected value (EV) measures the average return per ticket over the long term. Adding bonus features changes EV differently depending on how the lottery allocates prize funds. In most regulated European lotteries in 2026, around 45–55% of total ticket revenue is returned to players as prizes.
When you pay extra for a feature such as Power Play or a multiplier option, you are increasing your ticket cost. Unless the multiplier significantly increases the payout probability in proportion to the added cost, your EV usually decreases slightly. Lottery organisers design these add-ons to remain profitable.
That said, during high jackpot rollovers, the EV of the base ticket itself can temporarily improve. In rare cases, particularly in large EuroMillions or Powerball rollovers exceeding £150 million, the theoretical EV approaches or occasionally exceeds ticket cost. The presence of extra numbers does not change that dynamic; it is driven by jackpot size.
Are Bonus Fields Better Than Buying Multiple Tickets?
Many players face a practical decision: should you buy one ticket with an add-on feature, or two standard tickets without extras? From a probability standpoint, two independent tickets double your base chance of matching the winning combination.
In contrast, purchasing a multiplier or bonus option does not create a new number combination. It modifies the payout structure of the same combination. Therefore, if your goal is increasing the likelihood of hitting any winning line, additional separate entries are mathematically more effective.
However, if your objective is increasing the potential payout without increasing combination coverage, add-ons may be attractive. It becomes a question of risk preference rather than probability improvement.
Psychological and Strategic Considerations
Lotteries are games of chance with fixed odds. No selection method, including extra numbers, changes the randomness of the draw. Yet player behaviour often reflects a misunderstanding of how odds scale. Adding “stars” can feel like strengthening a ticket, even when mathematically it increases complexity.
Research into gambling behaviour shows that players tend to overestimate the impact of structural features labelled as “bonus” or “extra”. The wording implies added advantage. In reality, these elements are part of the core design and are priced accordingly.
From a strategy perspective, the only rational reasons to add bonus features are: preference for higher variance payouts, entertainment value, or participation in specific prize tiers unavailable without the add-on. It should not be viewed as a shortcut to better odds.
When Might Extra Features Make Sense?
There are limited scenarios where add-ons can align with a player’s goals. For example, if a lottery offers a guaranteed multiplier on non-jackpot wins during promotional draws, the relative value of the add-on may temporarily improve.
Another scenario involves syndicates. In group play, members sometimes prefer multipliers to increase mid-tier wins, as these are statistically more likely than jackpots. This can make the prize distribution more frequent and socially engaging.
Ultimately, additional numbers, stars, or bonus fields do not “beat” the lottery’s mathematical structure. They reshape prize tiers and payout variance. Understanding this distinction is crucial in 2026, as lottery formats continue evolving with increasingly complex multi-ball systems across Europe and North America.