The Irish lottery is very popular in Ireland. According to several sources, almost 40% of Irish adults regularly play a National Lottery game.
But how do you start playing the Irish lottery? What are some basics that everyone needs to know?
Read on to find out.
What to know before playing the Irish lottery
Here are some key things to keep in mind before playing the Irish lottery.
- How the lottery works
Before playing the Irish lottery, players need to understand how this lottery actually works.
In the Irish lottery, six numbers and a bonus ball are randomly drawn by a machine. The draw is televised so that participants and non-participants alike can watch the game.
There are 47 numbers to choose from. Players can only pick up to 5 different numbers ranging from 1 to 47.
When playing, gamers will have the option to choose between a 6 number draw or a 7 number draw.
A 6 number draw does not include the bonus ball. In order to win, players will need their numbers to be called out in the first six rounds.
When players choose the 7 number draw, they’ll have an extra round. If one of their numbers shows up on the bonus ball, it counts.
Many players who can afford it choose the 7 number draw instead of the 6 number draw.
When are the Irish lottery results announced? They are announced on Wednesday and Saturday evenings.
Individuals can watch the draws on RTÉ Television.
Alternatively, bookmakers will share the results shortly after the draws. Players can access their bookmaker’s platform to see the results.
- How to find a trustworthy bookmaker
It is crucial to find a good and trustworthy bookmaker before playing the lottery. A bookmaker can make or break your lottery experience.
Here are some signs that a bookmaker is trustworthy:
- They are well-known and established
- You are on their official website
- The website is well-designed and encrypted
- Their payment options are safe and secure
- They have a reliable customer support service
For an even safer experience, you can pay using a third-party service like PayPal, Stripe or Apple Pay. Many bookmakers will offer at least one of these third-party options.
Using a third-party payment service can help protect your card details. Instead of having access to your sensitive information, the bookmaker will receive a token during the transaction.
This token will transfer the funds from your account to theirs without revealing your card details.
- How to set a clear budget and stick to it
Before playing the Irish lottery, it is important to put together a gaming budget. Players should look at their finances and check how much money they can realistically put towards gaming.
If you are unemployed and/or on benefits, do not play until your situation improves.
If your situation allows for responsible gaming, you can start with a budget of 5€ or 10€. Learning to stick to a very tight budget will help you manage bigger budgets down the line.
A tight budget will also give you an insight into your finances. You will see how this budget impacts your financial health in the long run.
It will help you gauge whether you can increase your budget and, if so, by how much. It will also give you some insight into your self-control abilities.
Are you able to stick to a tight budget or do you struggle? If you struggle, you’ll want to develop better self-control techniques before increasing your budget.
You can read more about improving your self-control and self-discipline here.
To stop yourself from going over budget, you can have a debit card just for gaming. You can transfer your gaming budget to that account.
This can help you stick to your budget. If you run out of funds on that card, your bank will automatically decline payments.
Avoid using a credit card for gaming as you can easily lose track of your spendings and go over budget.
Remember to take frequent breaks as well. Pauses prevent impulse spending that can impact your financial health.
- How often to take breaks from gaming
Players are highly encouraged to take a 10 or 15-minute break from gaming every hour.
They should take longer and more frequent breaks if they feel unwell, tired, anxious or angry.
Players will have a much more enjoyable gaming experience if they take some time to look after themselves. They will enjoy gaming a lot more if they are well rested, hydrated and relaxed.
Final thoughts
These are some of the basics that every current and future lottery player needs to know. Keep these things in mind for a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience.
Have fun!
