Lightning Ball Live from Evolution
Lightning Ball Live is Evolution’s updated version of Lightning Lotto (which is no longer offered).
Lightning Ball is very similar to the original game it is based on – a ball drawn lotto type game with a live presenter calling the action (and doing little else really). It uses the same set, same 2 ball machines and identical play interface. The key difference is the way in which multipliers are applied to winning tickets.
Lightning Ball adds to Evolution’s very long list of Lightning multiplier games, all with random multipliers boosting payouts. It also joins their existing lineup of ball draw games, of which there are now quite a few, including Mega Ball and Monopoly Big Baller.
Lightning Ball may be played at any live casino carrying Evolution’s game shows, including:
Buying Lightning Ball tickets in bundles
At the outset of the round you choose your per-ticket bet amount, and then buy in bundles. $/€ 0.01 is the minimum bet per ticket. The maximum will vary depending on the overall limits set by your chosen casino.
You can play 1 ticket up to 200 tickets each round (Lightning Lotto let you play up to 500).
All your purchased ticket are displayed
All purchased tickets, each with 6 randomly selected numbers are displayed.
The first 5 numbered balls are drawn from a ball machine containing 30 balls numbered 1 to 30.
Red daubs on tickets as numbers match those drawn
Any number matches on your tickets are daubed. As tickets become paying tickets (2 matches) they turn gold and tickets with the most matches are shown prominently.
Then at the pull of a lever the multiplier (2x up to 50x) is generated. 2 is far more common than 50!
The Lightning Ball multiplier is generated at the pulling of a lever – 2x up to 50x
Finally, the power number is drawn from the second ball machine (containing 10 numbered balls). Any tickets with power number matches (6th number on ticket) are daubed accordingly.
All paying tickets are displayed with total win
All tickets with 2 or more matches receive a payout. Tickets with 2 or more matches including the power number also have the multiplier applied to the payout.
Lightning Ball Payout Summary
The below payout ranges indicate per-ticket base payout, and top possible payout in the event of a 50x multiplier.
| Number of matches | Payout |
|---|---|
| 2 | 1 – 49:1 |
| 3 | 4 – 249:1 |
| 4 | 14 – 749:1 |
| 5 | 99 – 4,999:1 |
| 6 | 999 – 49,999:1 |
There’s a $/€ 500,000 payout limit per bet round, which has implications for prudent selection of your bet amount.
Theoretical returns and playing strategy
Lightning Ball’s published return to player (RTP) rate is 97.03%, ‘based on 1 ticket with minimum bet amount’. The RTP range is given as 96.88% to 97.03%.
The lower RTP applies to bets whose possible payouts could exceed the payout limit, giving rise to discounted payouts. For example, 2 tickets at $10 each, for a 6 match and 5 match and 50x multiplier would be a $550,000 payout but for the payout cap. With the cap in operation you surrender $50,000.
If you keep your total bet at $/€ 10 or less, there’s no chance of having your payout discounted by exceeding the cap.
As to the odds of a 6 number match with a 50x multiplier on a single ticket purchase: 1 in 362 million!
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