Lotto 6aus49
Lotto 6aus49 is Germany's national lottery. It has run since 1955 and is operated by Deutscher Lotto- und Totoblock (DLTB), regulated by state gaming authorities across the Länder. Draw events happen twice per week: Wednesday and Saturday evenings.
How the Game Works
Players choose 6 numbers from a pool of 1 to 49. A seventh number, called the Superzahl (super number), comes from a separate draw of 0 to 9. The Superzahl acts as a bonus ball that affects prize eligibility in most tiers.
Each Wednesday and Saturday, the lottery draws six winning numbers plus the Superzahl. Your ticket wins if your numbers match the drawn numbers in any qualifying combination. The Superzahl does not need to match the main six; it applies independently to determine which prize tier you reach.
Tickets are purchased before the draw cutoff. A single play costs 1 euro per line. Players can also enter a standing order (Abo) for recurring draws or select a system play to cover multiple number combinations at higher cost.
Prize Tiers and Odds
Lotto 6aus49 has nine prize classes. Prize money is not fixed; it is distributed from a prize pool that contains roughly 50% of revenue. The exact payout per tier depends on how many winners share each division and the total sales for that draw.
The nine tiers are:
- Class 1: Six numbers + Superzahl match. Longest odds; typically the largest single payout.
- Class 2: Six numbers match, Superzahl does not match.
- Class 3: Five numbers + Superzahl match.
- Class 4: Five numbers match, Superzahl does not match.
- Class 5: Four numbers + Superzahl match.
- Class 6: Four numbers match, Superzahl does not match.
- Class 7: Three numbers + Superzahl match.
- Class 8: Three numbers match, Superzahl does not match.
- Class 9: Two numbers + Superzahl match.
The overall odds of winning any prize (Class 9 or better) are approximately 1 in 66. Odds for the jackpot alone (Class 1) are 1 in roughly 140 million. The presence of the Superzahl means that matching five of the six main numbers does not guarantee a prize; the Superzahl determines whether you fall into Class 3 or Class 4.
Draw Schedule and Timing
Draws occur on Wednesday and Saturday. The Wednesday draw typically happens at 18:25 CET. The Saturday draw takes place at 19:25 CET. Official results are published within minutes on the DLTB website and via licensed retailers.
Ticket sales close before each draw. Offline retailers stop accepting tickets around 18:45 on Wednesday and 19:45 on Saturday, though online platforms may have different cutoff times. Check the ticket purchase page for exact times in your region.
Players have 30 years from the draw date to claim a prize. Unclaimed winnings are allocated to state budgets.
Odds, Expected Value, and Syndicate Math
The expected value (EV) of a Lotto 6aus49 ticket is negative. Over time, players collectively receive less than they spend. This is true because the operator retains roughly 50% of stakes for operating costs, regulation, and public funding. The remaining 50% goes to prize payouts across all tiers and all draws.
Individual tickets have an EV of approximately 0.50 euros per euro wagered, assuming average payout ratios. The longer you play, the closer your actual return approaches this figure. No strategy or number selection method changes this outcome; all combinations have equal probability.
Syndicate play (pooling money with other players) does not improve odds but reduces the cost per line. If a syndicate wins, the prize is split among members. Syndicates are popular in workplaces and among friends because they allow players to cover more combinations for the same per-person outlay.
The Superzahl mechanism adds complexity to odds calculation. Since the Superzahl is drawn independently, the probability of matching it is 1 in 10. Players who win with the Superzahl move into a higher prize class; those without it drop to a lower class. This affects both individual odds and expected payout per tier.
Tax Treatment in Germany
In Germany, lottery winnings are not subject to income tax for players. Prizes are paid out in full without federal withholding. This applies to all domestic lotteries operated under state regulation, including Lotto 6aus49.
However, if a player invests winnings in subsequent lotteries or gambling, any further gains from those activities may trigger different tax rules depending on classification. Ordinary residents do not need to declare lottery income. Professional players or organizations that sell lottery syndicates may face different treatment under business tax law.
Players outside Germany should consult local tax authorities. Winnings may be taxable in the player's country of residence, even if they are not taxed in Germany.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Superzahl and how does it affect my winnings?
The Superzahl is a seventh number drawn from 0 to 9, separate from the main six numbers (1-49). It determines which prize tier you win. Matching five of six main numbers plus the Superzahl moves you to Class 3; without the Superzahl, you fall to Class 4. The Superzahl must be selected and matches independently, so it is possible to match all six main numbers but lose a tier if the Superzahl does not match. This means there is no single second-prize tier; instead, tiers are split into Superzahl and non-Superzahl variants.
What are the actual odds of winning the jackpot?
The odds of winning Class 1 (six numbers plus Superzahl) are approximately 1 in 140 million. This assumes all combinations are equally likely and you select one six-number combination with one Superzahl. Tickets with system plays or multiple lines reduce the odds per line but increase the cost and overall chance of winning any prize.
Are Lotto 6aus49 prizes guaranteed or do they depend on the number of winners?
Prizes are not fixed. The prize pool for each draw is a percentage of that draw's revenue, typically around 50%. This pool is then distributed across nine prize classes. If multiple players win the same prize tier, the prize for that tier is split among them. The jackpot can roll over to the next draw if no one matches Class 1, concentrating more money in the next draw's pool.
How long do I have to claim a Lotto 6aus49 prize?
Players have 30 years from the draw date to claim a prize. This is a long window, but unclaimed prizes are forfeited and allocated to state budgets. It is advisable to check your ticket promptly and verify results through official channels.
Can I improve my odds by selecting specific numbers or using a strategy?
No. All number combinations in Lotto 6aus49 have an equal probability of being drawn. Selecting birthdays, consecutive numbers, or any other pattern does not change your odds of winning. The expected value of every ticket is the same regardless of which numbers you choose. The only way to alter your probability of winning is to buy more tickets, which increases your cost proportionally.
How do syndicates work mathematically in Lotto 6aus49?
A syndicate pools money from multiple players to buy more tickets than any individual could afford alone. If the syndicate wins, the prize is divided equally among members. Syndicates do not improve the odds per line, but they reduce the per-player cost and increase the number of lines played. For example, ten players pooling 10 euros each (100 euros total) can buy 100 tickets instead of ten. If one line wins 1 million euros, each member receives 100,000 euros. Syndicates are mathematically sound ways to play more combinations for less personal outlay, but they require clear agreements on how winners are split.
