Gopher 5 is a popular Minnesota lottery game that gives players the chance to win life-changing prizes by picking just five numbers. But before buying your next ticket, it’s important to understand the odds behind the game. In this article, we break down the official Gopher 5 lottery odds, compare them to other games, and explore whether there are any ways to improve your chances of winning.
Let’s dive into what makes Gopher 5 a unique lottery!
What Is Gopher 5 and How Does It Work?
Gopher 5 is a draw-style game run by the Minnesota Lottery. Players choose five numbers from a pool of 1 to 47. If all five numbers match the drawn numbers in exact order, the player wins the jackpot. Drawings take place three times a week—on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays—giving frequent opportunities to try your luck.
Unlike national lotteries like Powerball or Mega Millions, Gopher 5 has smaller jackpots but also better odds of winning. The starting jackpot is $100,000 and continues to grow until someone wins.
Official Gopher 5 Lottery Odds
The official Gopher 5 lottery odds are based on the total number of combinations that can be drawn from a pool of 47 numbers. With only five numbers drawn and no bonus balls or additional games, the odds are straightforward.
Here are the odds for each prize tier:
- Jackpot (5/5): 1 in 1,533,939
- 4 of 5 numbers: 1 in 7,304
- 3 of 5 numbers: 1 in 178
- 2 of 5 numbers: 1 in 12
As you can see, even matching just two numbers gives you a small prize and reasonably favorable odds compared to many other lottery games.
What Are the Odds of Winning the Gopher 5 Jackpot?
So, what are the odds of winning the Gopher 5 jackpot? The answer is 1 in 1,533,939. While this may sound daunting, it’s significantly better than larger national lotteries. For comparison, the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are roughly 1 in 292 million.
This means Gopher 5 is an excellent option for players who prefer better odds over massive payouts. The jackpot may not reach hundreds of millions, but it’s still a substantial sum—and far more attainable.

How Gopher 5 Odds Compare to Other Lotteries
When looking at Gopher 5 odds next to other popular lotteries, the difference becomes clear. Here’s how it stacks up:
- Gopher 5: 1 in 1.53 million (jackpot)
- Mega Millions: 1 in 302.6 million
- Powerball: 1 in 292.2 million
While the jackpots of Mega Millions and Powerball are higher, the odds of winning Gopher 5 are dramatically better. For players who enjoy frequent play and better statistical chances, Gopher 5 is a compelling choice.
Can You Improve Your Gopher 5 Winning Odds?
Lotteries are games of chance, and no system can guarantee a win. However, there are a few strategies to maximize your experience:
- Buy more tickets: This increases your number of combinations, though each ticket still has the same odds.
- Join a lottery pool: Playing with a group allows you to share the cost of multiple tickets, slightly improving your odds of winning Gopher 5 without a huge investment.
- Avoid common numbers: Many players choose dates or popular sequences, so selecting less common numbers may reduce the chance of splitting a prize.
Though the odds of winning the Gopher 5 jackpot remain fixed, these tips can enhance your play and possibly lead to better outcomes.
Beat the Odds with TuLotero
TuLotero makes it easy and convenient to play Gopher 5 and other lotteries directly from your smartphone. With automatic number generation, secure payments, and instant result notifications, you can focus on the excitement of the draw while we handle the rest.
Whether you’re chasing the jackpot or just enjoying the thrill of the game, TuLotero is your perfect lottery companion. Take a chance today—your next ticket could be the winner that defies the Gopher 5 lottery odds.