You’re standing at the convenience store counter in Arlington or maybe a quiet gas station in Roanoke. The fluorescent lights hum. You’ve got a dollar and a feeling about the numbers 7-1-1. Or maybe it's 2-0-2-6. Whatever the case, checking virginia lottery results pick 3 & 4 has become a ritual for thousands of Virginians every single day. It’s quick. It’s local. And honestly, it’s a lot more complex than just matching a few digits.
Most people think it’s just about luck, but there is a whole ecosystem of "FIREBALL" multipliers, exact-order vs. any-order bets, and split-second cut-off times that can make or break your afternoon.
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The Numbers You Need Right Now
Let’s get the immediate stuff out of the way. If you’re looking for the most recent winning numbers from Saturday, January 17, 2026, here is how the balls dropped.
For the Pick 3 day drawing, the winning numbers were 9-7-8 with a FIREBALL of 3.
Later that night, the evening draw came up 0-2-0 with a FIREBALL of 7.
Moving over to Pick 4, the day draw was 6-0-7-4 and the FIREBALL was 9.
The night draw finished with 4-4-7-5 and a FIREBALL of 1.
People often ask me if these numbers mean anything for the next draw. Statistically? No. Every draw is an independent event. But tell that to the guy who has played his kid’s birthday for ten years straight. Logic rarely wins against tradition in the lottery world.
Why "Any Order" Isn't Always the Safe Bet
When you fill out that playslip, you're faced with a choice: Exact Order or Any Order. In Pick 3, an Exact Order (Straight) bet on $1 pays out $500. The odds are 1 in 1,000. Simple math.
But then there's "Any Order," often called a "Box" bet. This is where things get interesting. If you choose three different numbers, like 1-2-3, there are six possible ways those can come up. That’s a 6-way Any Order. If you choose two of the same number, like 1-1-2, there are only three ways. That’s a 3-way.
The payout for a 6-way Any Order on a $1 bet is $80.
The 3-way pays $160.
A lot of casual players think "Any Order" is the way to go because it feels easier to win. And it is! The odds for a 6-way are 1 in 166.7. But you're trading a massive chunk of the prize for that safety net. Sorta like insurance—it's great when you need it, but it costs you.
The FIREBALL Factor: Is it Worth the Extra Buck?
Virginia introduced the FIREBALL a while back, and it basically works as a wild card. After the main numbers are drawn, a separate FIREBALL number is pulled from a pool of 0-9. You can use that FIREBALL to replace any of the lottery-drawn numbers to create a winning combo.
It sounds like a no-brainer until you realize it doubles the cost of your ticket. If you’re playing Pick 4 for $1, adding FIREBALL makes it a $2 play.
Does it help? Well, it definitely increases your chances. In Pick 4, the odds of hitting an Exact Order win with the FIREBALL are 1 in 2,703, compared to the standard 1 in 10,000. But the prize drops too. An Exact Order FIREBALL win on a $1 base play (plus $1 FIREBALL) is $1,500, not $5,000.
You’ve gotta decide if you want more frequent, smaller wins or the rare, "pay-off-the-car" jackpot.
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Breaking Down the Pick 4 Payouts
Pick 4 is the big brother of the two. It’s harder, sure, but a $5,000 top prize on a $1 bet is nothing to sneeze at.
- Exact Order: $5,000 (Odds: 1 in 10,000)
- Any Order (24-Way): $200 (Odds: 1 in 416.7)
- 50/50 Play: This splits your $1. You get $2,500 for the Exact match plus $100 for the Any Order match.
Honestly, the 50/50 is where most of the "pros" hang out. It hedges the bet. You still get a decent payday if you're exactly right, but you don't walk away empty-handed if the numbers just feel like being shuffled that day.
Timing is Everything in Virginia
If you’re rushing to the store, you need to know the clock. The Virginia Lottery doesn't play around with the cut-off times.
The Day Drawing happens at 1:59 p.m. daily. You have until 1:53 p.m. to get your ticket. If you're 30 seconds late, that ticket is for the next day, and there is nothing the clerk can do about it.
The Night Drawing is at 11:00 p.m., with a cut-off at 10:45 p.m. You can watch these draws live on the Virginia Lottery website. It’s actually kind of mesmerizing to watch the digital balls bounce, even if you don't have a ticket in the race.
The Tax Man and the "Small" Wins
Here is something people rarely talk about until they're standing in the lottery office with a winning ticket. In Virginia, any prize over $600 is reported to the IRS and the Virginia Department of Taxation.
If you win more than $5,000, they aren't even going to give you the full check. They’ll withhold 4% for state taxes and 24% for federal taxes right off the top.
Also, if you owe back taxes or child support, the state is going to take that first. Virginia uses a "Set-Off Debt Collection" program. It's basically a way for the government to make sure they get theirs before you get yours. I’ve seen people win $5,000 only to walk out with $1,200 because of an old tax lien. Not a fun day.
Claiming Your Prize Without the Headache
If you won $500 or less, just go back to the retailer. Most gas stations and grocery stores will pay you out in cash, assuming they have enough in the drawer.
For anything over $601, you have options:
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- Online: If you bought the ticket through the app, it's usually automatic.
- Customer Service Centers: There are offices in Richmond, Hampton, Harrisonburg, Abingdon, Farmville, and Woodbridge.
- Mail: You can mail it in, but honestly, I wouldn't trust a $5,000 ticket to the post office if I could help it.
You have 180 days from the drawing date to claim. After that, the money goes to the Virginia Literary Fund, which supports public education. It’s a good cause, but you probably’d rather have the money in your pocket.
A Quick Note on Anonymity
As of July 2025, Virginia law allows winners of $1 million or more to remain anonymous. Unfortunately, for Pick 3 and Pick 4, where the max prize is $5,000, your name could technically be public record if the lottery decides to use you for a "Winner Wednesday" post. Most of the time they won't bother with smaller wins, but it's something to keep in mind if you're trying to keep your windfall a secret from your brother-in-law.
Real Advice for Real Players
Look, the lottery is a game. The "house" always has the edge. But if you're going to play, play smart.
Don't just chase "hot" numbers. The number 0 hasn't been drawn in Pick 4 for a few days as of this writing, but that doesn't mean it's "due." The balls don't have memories.
Instead, focus on your play type. If you hate losing, play Any Order or add the FIREBALL. If you’re a "jackpot or bust" kind of person, stick to the $1 Straight.
And for the love of everything, sign the back of your ticket the second you buy it. In Virginia, a lottery ticket is a "bearer instrument." That means whoever holds it, owns it. If you drop a winning $5,000 ticket in the parking lot and I find it, and you haven't signed it? It’s my $5,000.
Next Steps for Players:
- Check your old tickets from the last 180 days; Virginians leave millions in unclaimed prizes every year.
- Download the Virginia Lottery app to scan your tickets instantly rather than squinting at the screen.
- If you choose to play at a retailer, ensure the ticket prints clearly—faded ink can lead to major headaches during the claim process.