When you fill in your EuroMillions ticket, you pick five main numbers and two extra numbers called Lucky Stars. Their role is often misunderstood, especially when it comes to what happens if you only match the Stars.
If you’ve wondered what two matching Lucky Stars mean for prizes, you’re not alone. Many players want to know which combinations count and what a ticket is worth in that situation.
Below, we explain how EuroMillions handles entries with exactly two Lucky Stars, which prize tiers they can fall into, how payouts are calculated, and what typical amounts look like in the UK. You’ll find clear, practical answers without any jargon.
What Are 2 Lucky Stars In EuroMillions?
When you play EuroMillions, you choose seven numbers in total: five main numbers from 1 to 50, and two Lucky Stars from a separate pool of 1 to 12.
The Lucky Stars are different from the main numbers because they are drawn from their own set. In every draw, two Lucky Stars are selected alongside the five main numbers. If your two Star choices match the two drawn, you have matched both Lucky Stars. This can happen with or without matching any main numbers at the same time.
Matching these two Stars is important because EuroMillions prizes are based on combinations of main numbers and Lucky Stars together. The mix you achieve determines which prize tier your ticket falls into.
It’s worth double-checking your slip before you buy your entry. Picking the Lucky Stars is a separate part of the play slip. Make sure you choose two numbers between 1 and 12 so your ticket is complete.
Which Prize Tiers Include Exactly 2 Lucky Stars?
EuroMillions has several prize tiers that involve matching exactly two Lucky Stars. One is the tier where you match the two Stars but none of the main numbers. This is a distinct category within the table of prizes and generally pays a small amount.
There are also tiers where you match exactly two Lucky Stars plus some main numbers. For instance, combinations such as 1+2, 2+2 or 3+2 appear as separate tiers with their own share of the prize fund. At the top end, matching all five main numbers with both Lucky Stars is the jackpot tier.
So, if your ticket includes exactly two Lucky Stars, your final outcome depends on how many main numbers sit alongside them. That mix is what places you in a specific prize category once the draw is settled.
Next, it helps to understand how the money for each of these tiers is worked out.
How Are Prize Amounts Calculated For 2 Lucky Stars?
EuroMillions prizes are not fixed. They are calculated from a shared prize pot that comes from ticket sales across participating countries for that draw. Each prize tier is allocated a set percentage of this pot.
When your ticket matches exactly two Lucky Stars, the portion assigned to that tier is divided between everyone who hit the same outcome. If more people win in a tier, each person’s share is lower. If fewer people win, the share per ticket is higher. The overall number of entries can also nudge amounts up or down.
Rollovers and special events can influence how much sits in the prize fund for a given draw, which is another reason totals move around. After every draw, the official National Lottery website publishes a full breakdown, including the amounts paid in each tier that matched two Lucky Stars.
What Are Typical Prize Ranges For 2 Lucky Stars Combinations?
Amounts vary by draw, but there are some patterns you tend to see in the UK.
If you match the two Lucky Stars and no main numbers, payouts usually sit at the lower end, often between £2 and £4 per winning ticket. It is a modest return, but it recognises that both Stars were matched from a separate pool.
Add main numbers to those two Stars and the tier value rises. For example, a result like 2 main numbers plus 2 Lucky Stars can sometimes fall around £10 to £15, although this is not fixed and will shift with the number of winners and overall sales for the draw. The official results page shows the precise amounts for the most recent draw, which is the best way to see what applied on the night.
It is also worth noting that the UK Millionaire Maker game runs alongside EuroMillions. It is separate from the main draw, so its prizes are not influenced by how many Lucky Stars or main numbers you match.
What Are The Odds Of Matching Both Lucky Stars?
The Lucky Stars are drawn from 1 to 12. There are 66 possible pairs in that range, which means the odds of your two selected Stars matching the two drawn, without considering main numbers, are 1 in 66.
That figure is just for the Stars part of the ticket. Once main numbers are involved, the odds shift to reflect the full combination you would need for each prize tier. Seeing the Stars odds on their own is useful context for how the game’s combinations fit together.
How Do I Check And Claim A Prize In The UK?
To check your ticket, use the official National Lottery website or app, where you can enter your numbers or compare them with the published draw results. Retailers can also scan a paper ticket and tell you straight away if it has won.
If you played online or in the app, smaller prizes are usually paid into your account automatically. For tickets bought in shops, modest wins can typically be paid in-store after validation. For mid-range prizes, some retailers may pay in cash or provide a cheque, depending on what they are able to process. Larger wins usually need to be claimed at a designated post office or arranged directly with the National Lottery claim team.
Sign the back of any paper ticket to confirm it is yours. Prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date, so keep tickets safe and check them promptly.
If your prize is confirmed, you might naturally wonder about tax. Here is how that works in the UK.
Are EuroMillions Prizes Taxed In The UK?
EuroMillions prizes are paid tax-free in the UK, from smaller wins right up to the jackpot. The amount shown in the official results is what you receive.
There are a couple of related points to keep in mind. If you give part of your prize to someone else, UK tax rules on gifting may apply later in certain circumstances, such as inheritance tax if you were to pass away within seven years of a large gift. And while the win itself is tax-free, any interest you earn on it, or income from investing it, can be taxable and may need to be declared to HMRC.
For peace of mind, many winners speak to a qualified financial adviser to plan how to manage their money. If you choose to play, keep it sensible by setting limits that suit you. Free advice and support are available at BeGambleAware.org.
**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.