4D Lottery Basics: How to Play Big, Small and System Bets

4D is one of Malaysia's best-loved number games. The idea is simple: pick a four-digit number from 0000 to 9999 and hope it appears in the draw results. The details — Big, Small, Box, iBox — are where new players get stuck, so here is a clear walkthrough.

How a 4D draw works

Each draw produces 23 winning numbers: a 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize, 10 Special prizes and 10 Consolation prizes. Draws are traditionally held on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, with occasional special draws on Tuesdays.

Big vs Small

Big

A Big bet wins if your number matches any of the 23 prize numbers. It has more ways to win but smaller top prizes.

Small

A Small bet only wins on the 1st, 2nd or 3rd prize. Fewer ways to win, but those three prizes pay more than on a Big bet.

Many players split a stake across both, for example RM1 Big and RM1 Small on the same number.

System bets

Straight

Your number must come up in exactly the order you chose. 1234 only wins on 1234.

Box (permutation)

A Box bet covers every arrangement of your four digits. 1234 has 24 possible orders, so a full Box costs 24 times your unit stake, but any order wins.

iBox

iBox also covers every arrangement, but for a single unit stake spread across them. It costs less than a full Box, and the prize is divided by the number of permutations.

Roll

A Roll bet replaces one digit with every number from 0 to 9 — for example 123R covers 1230 to 1239.

How many permutations?

• Four different digits (1234): 24
• One pair (1123): 12
• Two pairs (1122): 6
• Three of a kind (1112): 4

Choosing numbers

Players pick numbers from car plates, birthdays, dreams and even temple fortune sticks. Every combination has exactly the same chance in a fair draw, so choose whatever is fun for you, and avoid spending more because a number "feels due".

Play it for fun

4D is a low-stake game best enjoyed as entertainment. Set a fixed amount per draw and stick to it — our responsible play tips explain how. You can find 4D under the 4D LOTTERY tab on the homepage.