Includes video report
By Todd Northrop
The Pennsylvania Lottery has launched "Wild Ball," an optional add-on that gives players more chances to win the daily numbers games.
The new feature is available for all of its "PICK" games (Pick 2, Pick 3, Pick 4, and Pick 5), which are drawn twice daily. The first drawings featuring the new add-on were on Tuesday, Sept. 13.
"Adding Wild Ball to your PICK ticket could allow you to win multiple times on a single play, making it even more fun to play and win," said Pennsylvania Lottery Executive Director Drew Svitko.
At every drawing, the Pennsylvania Lottery draws a one-digit Wild Ball number that applies to all four PICK games for that drawing.
With purchase of the Wild Ball add-on, the Wild Ball number selected for that drawing can be used to replace any one of the numbers drawn for base game play to help create a winning combination for the play type on that ticket.
If a player does not purchase the Wild Ball option, then the prizes are determined only in the traditional manner, and the Wild Ball number drawn does not have any effect.
Players may not randomly insert any number to create a winning play; the Wild Ball number chosen by the Lottery must replace a drawn number.
The Wild Ball feature offers a separate prize structure, which makes it possible for a player to win prizes with base game play and with Wild Ball, or through Wild Ball alone. A list of prizes available for each drawing — with and without the Wild Ball — is available by clicking the "Prize Payouts" link directly next to the drawing results at Lottery Post's Pennsylvania Lottery Results page.
Adding Wild Ball doubles the cost of a PICK base game play. For example, a $1 play will cost a total of $2 if the player adds Wild Ball.
Players who do not wish to add Wild Ball can continue to play PICK games as they always have done; there are no changes to the base games. Players will need to fill out new play slips.
Through September 30, Wild Ball kick-off events will be held at select PA Lottery retailers, allowing customers to learn how to play PICK games with Wild Ball, get a coupon, enter in-store second-chance drawings and enjoy other fun promotions. A schedule of events may be found on the Wild Ball page at palottery.com.
VIDEO: How to play with Wild Ball
Assuming I'm calculating correctly, it appears the payback on Wild Ball is around 60-62%, in most instances, depending on the Pick game and wager type it's played with. From all appearances, Wild Ball can be a worthwhile wager that pays more than other side-bets.
For example, say one plays 500 in the Pick-3. Some possible outcomes:
Pick 3 Straight for $0.50 and box $0.50 (traditional 50/50 wager) pays $250 and/or $80 ... total: $330 or $80 (1 in 1000 and 1 in ~333 respectively).
Pick 3 Straight for $0.50 and Wild Ball instead for $0.50 pays $250 and/or $100 ... total: $350 or $100 (an extra $20 more for same odds as above).
PA Pick 3 Wild Ball:
Following Types
of Play:
Winning Per
Play Is 1 In:
Of Winning Per
Play Is 1 In:
Prize Won:
Wild Ball is offered for all PA Pick games...
PA Pick 2 Wild Ball:
Following
Types of Play:
Winning Per
Play Is 1 In:
Of Winning Per
Play Is 1 In:
Prize Won:
PA Pick 4 Wild Ball:
Following Types
of Play:
Winning Per
Play Is 1 In:
Of Winning Per
Play Is 1 In:
Prize Won:
PA Pick 5 Wild Ball:
Following
Types of Play:
Winning Per
Play Is 1 In:
Probability Of
Winning Per
Play Is 1 In:
Prize Won:
All in all, PA Wild Ball appears to be an interesting new variation for the lottery, and worthwhile for players who like to side-bet; win more often.
If I recall we live in the same area. I am NE Philly. Maybe they want more winners, more revenue, need to read more about this.
I stink at pick three. Not even doing the pick 4.
I like the challenge of mega millions and powerball.
Will check mathematics equasions.
Usually advantageous when doubles are already pulled and the wild fills in the mystery pattern!
In pick 4 .. If you have 3 of the numbers.. Which I had yesterday.. Just adding that wild would have won a small win.. I do box when not 100%.
The pick5 could really gain from this as it usually has at least one set of doubles on it ...
You're spot on about Wild Ball and Pick-5. Doubles are very common. Wild Ball odds compared to odds of a traditional box is 3X better for Pick-3, 4X better for Pick-4, and 5X better for Pick 5. That 5X odds improvement over regular box makes Pick-5 more satisfying for players who side-bet and seek to win more often.
Screw PA
I only play Powerball and Mega Millions
That's all that they get from me
Just remember to play your plays in increments of .50 for straight. Winning $500 plus the $200 for straight
is going to give the state their cut on $1.00 or more bet plus Wild ball.
I got a good win on 995 yesterday with Wild ball #4 by playing 495 str/box and 499 super straight. I like it
so far. You need at least 2 numbers drawn plus the wild ball exchanges one of the three.
will the ticket prices go up?
Yes. Essentially it's double cost.
50cent box play now becomes $1 for wild add on included.
what is mind blowing is payouts have dropped substantially while the state is reaping in the revenue. I have not see such a consistency of such low payouts ever. I do my best to refrain from assumptions on states marketing.. Yet I do think this new system of play may be the thorn in their side. Ppl will stop playing if they do not see a higher and more consistent level of overall payouts...
Wild Ball has better payback than the base games it's added to. See my first reply for an illustration of that with Pick 3 50/50 verses Pick3 Straight with Wild Ball. Also, PA Lottery Pick-3 and Pick-4 payouts haven't changed in decades. And later added Pick-2 and Pick-5 games have similar ~50% payback. Whether PA Lottery can convince enough players to add Wild Ball is another matter, but from a statistical aspect, relatively speaking, it's a good deal for players who like to side-bet.
Sounds good to me...
I'm clearly stating that this past week has shown a huge drop in Accumulative PAYOUTS DAILY for the Pick2, Pick 3, Pick4 and Pick 5. Feel free to go look.
The WildBall has its stats and yes it will grease the wheel to keep those wishing to play to do so.