play the pools brochurehow to play The Pools

Looking for something a little different? The Pools is a '6 from '38 lottery game where the winning numbers are based on results of soccer matches played in Europe, Australia and around the world instead of numbered balls being drawn from a barrel.

You can play The Pools simply as a game of chance by playing your favourite or randomly selected numbers, or you can put your soccer knowledge to the test by choosing your numbers based on the teams competing on the Match List for that week.

The winning numbers are determined by the order of rank applied to the results of the matches. For example, score draw games are ranked highest, nil-score draw games are second highest, then away team and home team wins respectively. The Match List numbers for the six highest ranked matches are the "winning numbers" and the seventh highest ranked match is the "supplementary number".

download The Pools "Let's Play" Guide

grab a QuickPick

QuickPicks are perfect if you are in a rush or playing The Pools for the first time because your numbers are generated at random for you. QuickPicks are available in the following sizes:

  • 6 game QuickPick - 6 Games
  • MINI QuickPick - 10 Games
  • REGULAR QuickPick - 12 Games
  • SUPER QuickPick - 18 Games
  • MEGA QuickPick - 24 Games
  • JUMBO QuickPick - 36 Games
  • MAXI QuickPick - 50 Games

mark a coupon

If you've got numbers that are really special to you they could mean more to you when you play The Pools. To mark your numbers on a coupon, follow these simple steps:

  1. Grab The Pools coupon at your local NSW Lotteries Outlet or select your numbers when you buy The Pools online
  2. Mark 6 numbers in each game panel
  3. Play 4 - 18* game panels

* Minimum play: 4 standard games.

System entries

A System Entry gives you the option to play more numbers per game for a greater chance to win. For example, to win Division 1 in The Pools, you need all six winning numbers. To increase your chances of winning, you could play a System 9 which means you get to choose nine numbers for that game rather than the usual six which is equivalent to 84 standard games. Just follow these simple steps:

  1. Grab The Pools coupon at your local NSW Lotteries Outlet or select your numbers when you buy The Pools online
  2. Mark 7 - 20 numbers in each game panel (e.g mark 9 numbers for a System 9 Entry etc)
  3. Play 1 - 50* games on a QuickPick coupon
  4. Play 1 - 18 games on a marked coupon
  5. Mark the "System/Pick" check box on your coupon or select this option when you buy The Pools online

* System 7 QuickPick Entries: minimum 2 game panels
NB: Maximum number of game panels will vary between 1-50 for high level System Entries. Please call us on 131 868 for more information

Pick entries

Play a Pick entry and you can guarantee yourself either one or two of the winning numbers required to win that game (not available for Lucky or Strike Lotto). You can play a Pick entry with your favourite numbers on a marked coupon or as a QuickPick.

For example, if you play a Pick 4 Entry for The Pools, you are guaranteed two out of the six winning numbers, and you only have to pick the remaining four winning numbers in that game panel.

  1. Grab The Pools coupon at your local NSW Lotteries Outlet or select your numbers when you buy The Pools online
  2. For a Pick 4 entry - mark 4 numbers in each game panel (gives you 2 out of the 6 winning numbers)
  3. For a Pick 5 entry - mark 5 numbers in each game panel (gives you 1 out of the 6 winning numbers)
  4. Play 1 - 50 games on a QuickPick coupon
  5. Play 1 - 18 game on a marked coupon
  6. Mark the "System/Pick" check box on your coupon or select this option when you buy The Pools online

NB: Maximum number of game panels will vary between 1-50 for Pick Entries. Please call us on 131 868 for more information

Top Up

When playing a Standard, System or Pick Entry, if you have marked only a few game panels and want to play a bigger entry, all you have to do is ask for a Top Up! The remaining game panels are QuickPicked for you as standard games up to 6, 10, 12, 18, 24, 36 or 50 games. Just let your Retailer know how many games you want to top up to or, if you are purchasing online, you can select the 'QuickPick row' or 'QuickPick un-filled games' options to Top Up a Standard, System or Pick Entry.

Multi-week entries

Going on holidays? Out of town for work? If you're away and don't want to miss getting your entry in, grab a Multi-week entry! It now allows you to play the same numbers in your favourite game for any number of draws up to 10 draws at a time.

Play a Favourite

Players Club members can store up to 50 sets of favourite games and numbers on their Players Club card. Just present your card at your local NSW Lotteries Outlet and ask to play a Favourite. You can record any marked coupon or QuickPick as a favourite, or online members save Favourites when buying The Pools online.