Thunderball is a great game which boasts a top prize of £250,000 and also has a range of smaller prizes that are easier to win – in fact the lowest requires you to match just one number plus the Thunderball! Here’s how to play...

Step 1 – Pick Your Numbers

To play Thunderball you need to select six numbers in total – select five numbers from 1 to 34 and one “Thunderball” number from 1 to 14. A Thunderball play slip contains five boards which allow you to choose five sets of numbers on the same slip. Entries cost £1 per line and numbers are selected by marking them with a clear vertical line.

You can have a line of numbers picked for you at random by marking the Lucky Dip option on a blank board. Because numbers are randomly selected there is no guarantee whatsoever that several Lucky Dip lines will all have unique numbers – some coincidental repetition is par for the course.

Step 2 – Pick Your Weeks

A standard Thunderball play slip allows you to enter the same numbers for as many as eight consecutive draws. Mark the number of weeks that you would like to play for in the “No. of Weeks” area and the lottery terminal will do the rest. Be aware that any numbers generated at random with a Lucky Dip will apply for every draw – they won’t change from week to week. Also note that you will need to pay for all of your Thunderball entries in advance.

Step 3 – Obtain Your Ticket

Take your Thunderball play slip(s) to the lottery retailer and pay the required amount. You will then be given your Thunderball tickets and your play slip will be handed back to you as well. Be sure to check your ticket to make sure that no mistakes have been made, as these need to be brought to the attention of the retailer within two hours of the ticket being issued, or less if the lottery terminal closed before that time.

Step 4 – Look After It!

Your ticket is your only proof you have of entering your numbers into the game, so look after it carefully. For additional security it is also good idea to write your name and address on the back of the ticket.

Step 5 – Check Your Ticket

When the Thunderball draw has taken place, check your ticket to see if you are a winner. The prize levels are as follows:

Step 6 – Claim Your Prize Promptly

If you discover that you have won a prize, you should claim it promptly. No claims can be accepted later than 180 days after the draw, so if you miss that deadline your prize money will automatically be donated to the lottery fund for Good Causes. Claiming promptly means that this won’t happen, and it also reduces the chances of you losing your winning ticket before you claim.

For prizes of up to £75 you can claim at any National Lottery retailer. Some retailers are allowed to process claims of up to £500. National Lottery Post Offices can process claims of up to £10,000. Major prizes of £10,000 or more must be claimed in person from a National Lottery Regional Office, and in the first instance you should call the National Lottery Line on 0845 9100 000.