If you're standing at the counter trying to decide between Lotto Max and Lotto 6/49, here's the short version: Lotto Max has bigger jackpots and worse odds; 6/49 has smaller jackpots, slightly better odds, and two draws a week. The longer version is more interesting.
Jackpot size
Lotto Max starts at $10M and caps at $80M, with Maxmillions (separate $1M draws) added once the main jackpot stays high. Lotto 6/49 has a guaranteed $1M Gold Ball plus a Classic Draw jackpot starting at $5M.
Odds of the top prize
- Lotto Max: 1 in 33,294,800 per $5 play (which gets you three lines).
- Lotto 6/49 Classic: 1 in 13,983,816 per $3 play.
Per dollar spent, 6/49 gives you better top-prize odds. But Lotto Max gives you three lines per play, so the secondary-prize coverage is broader.
Draw nights
Lotto Max draws are Tuesday and Friday. Lotto 6/49 draws are Wednesday and Saturday. If you play both, you have a draw to look forward to four nights a week.
Which should you play?
If you dream big and play occasionally — Lotto Max. If you play weekly and want a more realistic shot at a life-changing (not life-rewriting) prize — Lotto 6/49. Most regulars play both, budgeting a fixed weekly amount across the four draws.
Tools for either game
Lotto Terminal supports both: Lotto Max tools and Lotto 6/49 tools — frequency, numerology, lucky picks, and result history for each.