How Does Thunderball Work? Thunderball Rules & Draw Explained
Thunderball is one of the most popular lottery games in the UK, offering set cash prizes and several draws each week. With its own number format, fixed prize tiers, and regular schedule, it stands apart from other National Lottery games.
This guide explains how Thunderball works, from the draw process and prize structure to ticket costs, odds, and how to claim. It also covers practical points like how often draws happen and what occurs if there are multiple winners.
As with any lottery, outcomes are random and cannot be influenced. It should be seen as entertainment, with spending kept within personal limits. Let’s start with the basics.
What Is Thunderball?
Thunderball is a UK National Lottery game built around fixed, guaranteed prize amounts per tier. The top prize is £500,000 for matching all five main numbers plus the Thunderball.
Prizes start at £3 for matching only the Thunderball and go up through set tiers, including £5,000 for five main numbers without the Thunderball. The prizes do not roll over, so the amounts stay the same regardless of how many people win on the night.
Because the prizes are fixed, players know exactly what each winning combination pays. So, how does a draw actually unfold?
How Do Thunderball Draws Work?
Thunderball draws happen on specific days and follow a consistent, audited process. A dedicated machine selects the winning numbers in a secure, random way.
In every draw, five main numbers are chosen from 1 to 39. After that, a separate selection is made for the Thunderball from 1 to 14. Those six numbers together determine the winning outcomes for that draw.
Once the format is clear, choosing how to take part is straightforward.
How Do You Play Thunderball?
To play Thunderball, pick five main numbers from 1 to 39 and one Thunderball from 1 to 14. You can select your own numbers or use Lucky Dip for a random line. Each line is one entry.
Prizes are paid based on how many numbers you match, with the highest award reserved for matching five main numbers plus the Thunderball. Lower tiers pay for fewer matches, including a payment for matching only the Thunderball.
With the basics in place, it helps to understand how those numbers are selected behind the scenes.
How Are Winning Numbers Chosen?
Thunderball numbers are drawn using mechanical machines designed for fairness and randomness. Five main balls are selected from a set of 39, and one Thunderball is drawn from a separate set of 14.
Independent adjudicators oversee the process to confirm it follows the official rules and that the draw remains secure from interference.
With the draw mechanics covered, the next question is what those matches are worth.
What Are The Prize Tiers And Odds?
Thunderball uses fixed prize tiers, so each winning combination pays the same amount in every draw. The top prize is £500,000 for five main numbers plus the Thunderball, and there are set amounts for all other match levels, including a prize for matching only the Thunderball.
Prize Tiers
Here is the full breakdown for a single line in any draw:
- 5 main numbers + Thunderball: £500,000
- 5 main numbers: £5,000
- 4 main numbers + Thunderball: £250
- 4 main numbers: £100
- 3 main numbers + Thunderball: £20
- 3 main numbers: £10
- 2 main numbers + Thunderball: £10
- 1 main number + Thunderball: £5
- 0 main numbers + Thunderball: £3
How Are The Odds Calculated?
The odds come from the number of possible combinations. Main numbers are chosen from 1 to 39, while the Thunderball is from 1 to 14, which creates a large pool of potential outcomes.
In simple terms, the odds compare the number of ways to pick the winning combination with all possible combinations. For example, the chance of winning the top prize by matching five main numbers plus the Thunderball is 1 in 8,060,598. Lower tiers have higher odds because there are more ways to achieve them, and each entry is independent of the others.
With the prize table and odds in mind, the next practical point is when you can take part.
How Often Are Draws Held?
Thunderball draws take place four times a week on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Tickets are available until shortly before each draw.
This frequent schedule means there are several opportunities each week to enter a line or two, depending on your plans.
How Much Does A Ticket Cost And How Many Lines Can You Play?
A Thunderball line costs £1. Each line contains five main numbers and one Thunderball.
You can buy more than one line for a draw, either on a single ticket or across multiple tickets. Choose your own numbers or use Lucky Dip for random selections. There is a cap on how many lines can be purchased in one go, which is set by the operator and can be checked on the official National Lottery website.
If your numbers do win a prize, the way you are paid depends on how and where you bought the ticket.
How Are Prizes Paid And Claimed?
Prize payments are handled by the National Lottery and follow set procedures. For smaller amounts, tickets bought in shops are usually paid at the retailer. Online wins are typically credited to the account used to buy the ticket.
For larger amounts, there may be a formal claims process, which can include identification and an appointment. The official website explains the current steps in detail.
Keep physical tickets and confirmation emails safe, as they may be needed to validate a claim.
Are Thunderball Winnings Taxed?
In the UK, Thunderball prizes are paid as tax-free lump sums. There is no income tax or capital gains tax on lottery winnings themselves.
If winnings are later invested or gifted, separate tax rules might apply to any returns or to long-term estate planning. Independent financial advice can help if you are considering those options.
With tax out of the way, another common question is what happens if more than one person wins the same tier.
What Happens If There Are Multiple Winners?
Thunderball prizes are fixed, so every qualifying ticket receives the full amount for its tier. If several players match five main numbers plus the Thunderball in the same draw, each receives £500,000. The same principle applies to all other tiers, such as £5,000 for five main numbers.
This differs from some games where a shared prize fund is divided between winners. In Thunderball, the advertised amount per tier is what each winning ticket gets.
With that cleared up, the final piece is how to see the results.
How Can I Check Results?
Thunderball results are published on the official National Lottery website shortly after each draw. Numbers are also widely available through news outlets, authorised retailers, and dedicated apps. If you play online or through the app, you will usually get an automatic update showing whether your line has won.
For shop-bought tickets, you can scan your ticket at any authorised retailer. Keep your ticket safe until you have checked it. You can also use our results checker to see recent draws and quickly spot any matches.
If you choose to take part, set personal limits that suit your circumstances and only spend what you can afford. If play stops being enjoyable or starts to affect your well-being or finances, seek support early. Organisations such as GamCare and GambleAware provide free, confidential help.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins, etc.) mentioned in relation to this game are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.
**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.
