News writer
Nebraska players get a new shot at daily winnings. The Nebraska Lottery launches Pick 4 on September 21, 2025, expanding its daily game portfolio with a $6,000 top prize.
What makes Pick 4 different from Pick 3?
Pick 4 follows the same format as its three-digit cousin but adds complexity. Players choose four numbers instead of three, each from 0 through 9. The extra digit creates more combinations and bigger prizes.
The $1 ticket price stays the same. The top prize jumps from Pick 3's typical range to $6,000. And what are your odds of hitting the maximum payout? 1 in 10,000.
Six ways to play, six chances to win
Pick 4 offers the same betting options as Pick 3:
- Straight: Match all four numbers in the exact order they are drawn.
- Box: Match all four numbers in any order.
- Straight/Box: Win with exact order or any order.
- Front Pair: Match the first two numbers in exact order.
- Middle Pair: Match the middle two numbers in exact order.
- Back Pair: Match the last two numbers in exact order.
Prizes range from $60 to $6,000, depending on your play type and how the numbers fall.
Daily drawings, nightly results
Pick 4 drawings happen seven days a week. Results go public by 10 p.m. CT each night through news media and official channels. This schedule matches Pick 3's format. Players can build Pick 4 into their daily routine just like they do with the existing three-digit game.
Free plays to start your Pick 4 journey
Want to try Pick 4 without spending extra? The Nebraska Lottery has you covered.
Between September 14 and September 20, free Pick 4 coupons will randomly print with Pick 3 purchases. These coupons work for two weeks after the September 21 launch. This promotion targets existing Pick 3 players who already understand the game mechanics. Adding one more digit shouldn't create a steep learning curve.
Why add Pick 4 now?
Nebraska Lottery Director Brian Rockey sees Pick 4 as a natural extension of the Pick 3 audience. The games share similar mechanics but offer different risk-reward profiles.
Pick 4 diversifies the daily game lineup while supporting Nebraska's beneficiary funds. Since 1993, the Nebraska Lottery has raised $1.037 billion for causes including education, environment, the State Fair, and problem gambling assistance.
All 93 Nebraska counties have received funding from these proceeds. Pick 4 continues this tradition while giving players another entertainment option.
Will Pick 4 find its audience?
Daily number games attract dedicated players who enjoy routine and strategy. Pick 3 has proven popular in Nebraska, suggesting demand exists for similar games.
Pick 4's higher prize potential could attract players who find Pick 3's payouts too small. The additional digit creates more number combinations and strategies to explore.
Success depends on whether current Pick 3 players embrace the added complexity and whether new players find the $6,000 top prize compelling enough to start playing daily numbers.
Nebraska Pick 4 tickets go on sale September 21 at all Nebraska Lottery retailers.
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