Set For Life how to play · rules · Life Ball

How to Play Set For Life – Rules, Numbers & Life Ball

Choose five different main numbers from 1 to 47 and one Life Ball from 1 to 10. Each line costs £1.50. Set For Life draws take place on Monday and Thursday, and the standard top prize is £10,000 a month for 30 years.

Main numbers5 from 47
Life Ball1 from 10
Cost per line£1.50
Draw daysMon + Thu
Set For Life rules

How to play Set For Life in five steps

The same number rules apply whether you choose your own line or use a Lucky Dip.

1
Choose five main numbers

Select five different main numbers from 1 to 47.

2
Choose one Life Ball

Select one Life Ball from 1 to 10. It is drawn from a separate pool, so the same numeral can appear as both a main number and the Life Ball.

3
Choose Monday, Thursday or both

Set For Life has two regular draw days each week. You can enter one draw day or both.

4
Choose how many draws to enter

Entries can be bought for a single draw or for multiple future draws. The current game supports advance play for up to four weeks.

5
Pay £1.50 for each line in each draw

The total ticket cost depends on the number of lines and draws entered. Use the cost calculator below to check it before playing.

Main numbers and Life Ball

What numbers do you choose for Set For Life?

Example valid line
412213346+7

The first five balls are main numbers from 1–47. The separate coloured ball is the Life Ball from 1–10.

  • Main numbers: choose five different numbers from 1 to 47.
  • Life Ball: choose one number from 1 to 10.
  • The Life Ball is separate: a number can appear once among the main numbers and also be your Life Ball.
  • Lucky Dip: you can use randomly selected numbers instead of choosing the line yourself.
  • Previous draws do not change the next draw: hot, cold or overdue numbers do not receive different odds in a future independent draw.

If you want a random valid line rather than choosing manually, use the Set For Life number generator. Historical frequency is available separately on the Set For Life hot and cold numbers page.

Set For Life ticket price

How much does Set For Life cost to play?

A Set For Life line costs £1.50 for each draw entered. This calculator only multiplies the official line price by the number of lines and draws you select.

Set For Life ticket cost calculator

Choose lines, draw days and weeks. The calculator does not suggest how much you should spend.

Lines per draw1Chosen entries in each draw.
Draws entered2Across the selected period.
Total lines bought2Lines × draws.
Total cost£3.00At £1.50 per line.
Lottery spending should come from money you can afford to lose. The calculator is arithmetic only and does not recommend a number of lines or a playing frequency.
Life Ball question

What do 1 main number and the Life Ball win on Set For Life?

1 main number + Life BallNo prize

The standard Set For Life prize table starts at Match 2. Matching one main number plus the Life Ball does not create a prize tier.

1 main number + Life BallNo prize
2 main numbers£5
2 main numbers + Life Ball£10
5 main numbers£10,000/month × 1 year
5 main numbers + Life Ball£10,000/month × 30 years

For every match combination, fixed prize and probability, use the Set For Life prizes page or the Set For Life odds calculator.

Draw and entry rules

When can you play Set For Life?

The regular game schedule is Monday and Thursday. The normal draw-night sales cut-off is 7:30pm, with the draw scheduled for around 8pm UK time.

Draw daysMonday + ThursdayTwo regular draws each week.
Normal sales cut-off7:30pmOn the relevant draw night.
Draw timeAround 8pmUK time on Monday and Thursday.
Advance playUp to 4 weeksCurrent advance-entry option.

For the live countdown, bank-holiday questions and where to watch the draw, use the dedicated Set For Life draw time page.

How the winning rule works

How do you win a Set For Life prize?

Your line is compared with the five main numbers and separate Life Ball drawn for that draw. There are eight standard prize tiers.

Top prize

Match all five main numbers plus the Life Ball: standard prize £10,000 a month for 30 years.

Second tier

Match all five main numbers without the Life Ball: standard prize £10,000 a month for one year.

Lower prizes

Match combinations from two main numbers upwards. The dedicated prizes page lists all eight standard tiers.

Same line, same odds

A chosen line and a Lucky Dip line have the same probability of matching the winning combination.

Check the completed draw

Use the Set For Life results checker to compare your five main numbers and Life Ball with the latest draw or the results archive.

Who can play

Age and location rules

The National Lottery states that players must be 18 or over and physically located in the UK or Isle of Man. Retail and online play are also subject to the applicable National Lottery rules, procedures and account terms.

Set For Life rules FAQ

Common questions about playing Set For Life

How do you play Set For Life?

Choose five different main numbers from 1 to 47 and one Life Ball from 1 to 10, choose Monday, Thursday or both draw days, choose how many draws to enter and pay £1.50 for each line in each draw.

How many numbers do you need for Set For Life?

Each line contains five main numbers from 1 to 47 plus one separate Life Ball from 1 to 10.

Can the Life Ball be the same number as one of my main numbers?

Yes. The Life Ball comes from a separate 1–10 pool, so the same numeral can appear as one of your five main numbers and as your Life Ball.

What do 1 number and the Life Ball win on Set For Life?

Nothing under the standard prize table. The lowest standard winning tier is Match 2, which pays £5. Matching two main numbers plus the Life Ball pays £10.

How much is a Set For Life ticket?

Each line costs £1.50 for each draw entered.

What days can you play Set For Life?

Set For Life draws take place every Monday and Thursday. You can enter either draw day or both.

What time do Set For Life ticket sales close?

The normal draw-night ticket-sales cut-off is 7:30pm UK time. The draw is scheduled for around 8pm.

Can you play Set For Life in advance?

Yes. The current game supports entries for up to four weeks in advance.

Does a Lucky Dip have worse odds than choosing your own numbers?

No. A valid Lucky Dip line and a valid line you choose yourself have the same chance of matching the winning combination.

What are the odds of winning the Set For Life top prize?

The standard top-prize odds are 1 in 15,339,390 for one valid line. Use the dedicated Set For Life odds page for every prize tier and multi-line calculations.

Rules note: Set For Life play is governed by the applicable National Lottery draw-based game rules and Set For Life procedures. Top- and second-tier payout arrangements are covered separately by the Set For Life Game Specific Rules. Game details can change, so check the current official information before buying or claiming. Official Set For Life game-specific rules → · MLL payout guide →