All news

DC Lottery players can get a FREE DC-2 game ticket through April 2024

Check out the April Showers promotion!

DC-2, DC-3, DC-4, and DC-5 logos on a swirling blue background.
Corinna Underwood
Add lotteryusa.com as a preferred source on Google

For a purchase of just $5 or more on a single DC-3, DC-4, or DC-5 ticket, you can get a free DC-2 ticket from April 4, 2024, to April 30, 2024.

Get ready to play the District of Columbia Lottery's most popular numbers game in the April Showers Promotion. You can purchase your tickets from your local lottery retailer and at any lottery terminal except for Dream Touch Smart terminals.

How to play DC-2, DC-3, DC-4, and DC-5

The DC Lottery's DC-2, DC-3, DC-4, and DC-5 are daily draw games that are held seven days a week. The drawings for each game take place three times each day at 1:50 p.m., 7:50 p.m., and 11:30 p.m. You can purchase tickets until 1:49 p.m., 7:49 p.m., and 11:29 p.m. respectively. Here’s how to play and what you can win:

DC-2

To play DC-2, choose two numbers from 0 to 9 or select the Quick Pick option and have your numbers randomly selected by the computer. Next, select the amount you wish to play from $0.50 to $1. The maximum total play amount is $208. Choose your bet from the following: Straight, Box, Straight/Box, Front Number, Back Number, and Combo. Select your draw time: noon, evening, or night. You can place up to five separate wagers on each pay slip. Prizes range from $2.50 to $50.

DC-3

To play DC-3, choose one number 0-9 from each of the three columns or select the Quick Pick option and have your numbers randomly selected by the computer. Next, select the amount you wish to play from $0.50 to $1. The maximum total play amount is $208. Choose your bet from the following: Straight, Box, Straight/Box, Front Pair, Back Pair, and Combo. Select your draw time: noon, evening, or night. You can place up to five separate wagers on each pay slip. Prizes range from $25 to $500.

DC-4

To play DC-4, choose one number from 0-9 from each of the four columns, or select the Quick Pick option and have your numbers randomly selected by the computer. Next, select the amount you wish to play from $0.50 to $1. The maximum total play amount is $208. Choose your bet from the following: Straight, Box, Straight/Box, Front Three, and Back Three. Select your draw time: noon, evening, or night. You can place up to five separate wagers on each pay slip. Prizes range from $100 to $500.

DC-5

To play DC-5, choose one number 0-9 from each of the five columns, or select the Quick Pick option and have your numbers randomly selected by the computer. Next, select the amount you wish to play from $0.50 to $1. The maximum total play amount is $208. Choose your bet from the following: Straight, Box, Straight/Box, Front Pair, Back Pair, Front Three, Back Three, Front Four, and Back Four. Select your draw time: noon, evening, or night. You can place up to five separate wagers on each pay slip. Prizes range from $25 to $50,000.

What the DC-2, DC-3, DC-4, and DC-5 bets mean

  • Straight: match all numbers in the same order
  • Box: match all numbers in any order
  • Straight/Box: match the numbers drawn in the exact or any order
  • Combo: match the numbers drawn in any order; each combination is considered a straight play
  • Front Number: match the first number drawn
  • Back Number: match the last number drawn
  • Front Pair: match the first two numbers drawn in the exact order
  • Back Pair: match the last two numbers drawn in the exact order
  • Front Three: match the first three numbers drawn in the exact order
  • Back Three: match the last three numbers drawn in the exact order
  • Front Four: match the first four numbers drawn in the exact order
  • Back Four: match the last four numbers drawn in the exact order

Related articles

Part of a Jersey Dog scratch-off ticket.
New Jersey Lottery's new scratch-off stars? 18 very adorable dogs

From rescue pups to local favorites, real pets now headline tickets with prizes up to $200K.

Todd Betzold profile pic

Todd Betzold

The DC 3, DC 4, and DC 5 logos over a colored background.
DC Lottery resolves draw glitch, boosts rewards for affected players

Free plays, coupons, and a $150K contest aim to make things right after weeks of disrupted draws.

Todd Betzold profile pic

Todd Betzold

The DC Lottery logo over a white background.
DC Lottery reveals weeks-long drawing flaw

Repeated digits were impossible to draw for weeks.

Samantha Herscher profile pic

Samantha Herscher

Recent articles

View All
The Massachusetts Lottery Executive Director Mark William Bracken.
Featured
Exclusive interview
How Massachusetts is reinventing the lottery for a new generation

We sat down with Executive Director Mark William Bracken to discuss iLottery, new games, and a summer launch.

Samantha Herscher profile pic

Samantha Herscher

A screencapture from a Massachusetts Megabucks draw.
Megabucks jackpot climbs to $17M, nearing all-time record

Massachusetts Megabucks has climbed to $17M, putting the jackpot within reach of the game's top three largest prizes ever.

Halley Bondy profile pic

Halley Bondy

The offices of the Maine Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations.
New Maine law takes aim at lottery groups buying tickets in bulk

Officials say the move protects everyday players after high-volume groups flooded ticket sales.

Todd Betzold profile pic

Todd Betzold

The U.S. Treasury Department seal near one of the entrances to their building.
Lottery habits under fire as treasury officials question player choices

Many players say tickets are about fun or hope, not financial strategy or long-term planning.

Todd Betzold profile pic

Todd Betzold