If you’ve ever looked at a EuroMillions ticket and paused at the two extra numbers called Lucky Stars, you’re not the only one. They sit alongside the main numbers and can seem a bit mysterious at first.
In short, they’re drawn separately from the main balls and play a big part in where a ticket lands on the prize table.
This guide explains what Lucky Stars are, the rules that apply to them, and how they shape results and prize tables, so you can follow each draw with confidence.
What Are EuroMillions Lucky Stars?
In every EuroMillions draw, Lucky Stars are two additional numbers chosen from their own pool, separate from the main numbers. A standard line is made up of five main numbers plus two Lucky Stars.
The Lucky Stars come from 1 to 12, while the main numbers come from a different range. On a playslip or online entry, they’re shown in their own area, clearly apart from the main numbers. Every valid line includes exactly two Lucky Stars.
These extra numbers influence which prize tier applies to a ticket. They’re drawn on the same night as the main numbers, but from a separate set of balls and their results are listed alongside the main draw.
With the basics covered, the next question is simple: how many are actually drawn?
How Many Lucky Stars Are Drawn?
There are always two Lucky Stars selected in each EuroMillions draw. They come from a distinct pool of numbers from 1 to 12, entirely separate from the main machine.
On the night, both Lucky Stars are picked and published with the main results. Playslips reflect this by providing space for only two Lucky Star selections per line, which keeps the format consistent from draw to draw.
Knowing that there are two stars every time helps when looking at how the draw itself is carried out.
How Do Lucky Stars Work In The Draw?
EuroMillions uses two machines. One draws five main numbers from 1 to 50. The other contains the Lucky Stars from 1 to 12 and draws two of them for the same result. Because the machines are separate, the Lucky Star outcome is independent of the main numbers.
This independence is important for prizes. To win the jackpot, a ticket must match all five main numbers and both Lucky Stars from that draw. Other prize categories combine different counts of main numbers with either one or two Lucky Stars.
Every draw follows this same process, which makes the role of the stars clear when results are checked and prizes are worked out.
Lucky Stars And Prize Tiers
Prize tiers set out the different winning combinations. The top tier requires five main numbers plus both Lucky Stars. Below that, there are tiers for combinations such as four main numbers with both Lucky Stars, or five main numbers with one Lucky Star, and so on.
EuroMillions has 13 prize tiers in total. Matching only the Lucky Stars without any main numbers does not create a winning line. However, combining one or both Lucky Stars with the right count of main numbers moves a ticket into higher tiers and can increase the payout compared with matching the same main numbers alone.
In short, the stars act as multipliers of sorts within the structure: they don’t pay on their own, but when they line up with main numbers they can lift a ticket into a stronger category.
With the structure in mind, it’s helpful to look at how the stars influence overall odds.
How Do Lucky Stars Change Your Odds Of Winning?
Because the Lucky Stars are drawn from a separate pool of 12 numbers, there are more possible outcomes than if the game only used the five main numbers. Requiring two correct stars for the top tier makes a full match rarer, which is why the jackpot needs both.
At the same time, having two stars creates more ways to land in the lower and middle tiers. For example, a ticket with several main numbers and just one Lucky Star can still qualify for a prize, even if both stars are not matched. That flexibility spreads wins across a range of categories rather than concentrating them in a single outcome.
So, the Lucky Stars make the highest tier harder to reach, but they also help shape a broader set of prize levels beneath it.
How To Read Prize Tables With Lucky Stars
EuroMillions prize tables show how many main numbers and Lucky Stars are needed for each category. They typically have columns for “Main Numbers Matched” and “Lucky Stars Matched,” so it’s easy to see which combinations apply.
An entry such as “4 + 2” means four main numbers and both Lucky Stars are needed for that tier. The very top row is “5 + 2,” which is the jackpot. Prize amounts vary from draw to draw, so tables often display average returns or recent examples to give a sense of typical payouts.
There are 13 categories in all. Once it’s clear how the two stars fit alongside the main numbers, the table layout makes sense at a glance and checking results becomes more straightforward.
**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.