Lotto Max vs Encore involves comparing a national lottery game with large, multi-million dollar jackpots against a provincial add-on game that offers smaller, fixed prizes and different matching mechanics. Lotto Max is a standalone game played across Canada, while Encore is an optional extra, primarily offered by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) in Ontario, that can be added to a Lotto Max ticket or other host games for an additional $1.
Key Facts
- Lotto Max is a national lottery with draws twice a week, on Tuesday and Friday evenings.
- Encore is a provincial add-on game, mainly in Ontario, that costs $1 per play.
- Lotto Max jackpots can reach up to $70 million, with additional Maxmillions draws when the main jackpot exceeds $50 million.
- Encore offers a top prize of $1 million for matching all seven digits in exact sequence.
- Lotto Max requires matching 7 numbers from 50, while Encore involves matching digits of a randomly generated 7-digit number.
What is Lotto Max?
Lotto Max is a national Canadian lottery game known for its substantial jackpots, which can grow up to $70 million. Players select seven numbers from a pool of 1 to 50. Draws occur twice weekly, on Tuesday and Friday evenings at 7:30 PM PT, with results updated shortly after. The game also features “Maxmillions” draws, which are additional $1 million prizes that become available when the main jackpot reaches or exceeds $50 million. A basic Lotto Max ticket costs $5 for three sets of numbers.
Lotto Max is distinct from provincial add-on games like Encore because it is a primary lottery offering available across all Canadian provinces. For more details on playing this game, you can explore what is Lotto Max tonight.
What is Encore?
Encore is a provincial add-on game, predominantly available in Ontario through the OLG, that enhances a player’s chances of winning additional prizes for an extra $1. When added to a host lottery ticket, such as Lotto Max, a randomly generated 7-digit number is printed on the ticket. Players win by matching digits in exact sequence from the left, from the right, or a combination of both. The top prize for Encore is $1 million for matching all seven digits in the correct order.
Encore is not a standalone game and must be purchased alongside a main lottery ticket. It offers 22 different ways to win, with overall odds of winning any prize being 1 in 9.17, according to Lottomaxnumbers.com. This includes matching just the final digit for a smaller prize.
How Do Lotto Max and Encore Gameplay Differ?
The gameplay for Lotto Max and Encore differs significantly in structure, number selection, and matching criteria. Lotto Max is a traditional lottery where players choose a set of numbers, aiming to match them against a draw of winning numbers.
- Lotto Max Gameplay: For Lotto Max, players select seven numbers from a range of 1 to 50. A single play costs $5 and includes three sets of numbers. To win the jackpot, a player must match all seven main numbers drawn. The game also includes bonus numbers and additional Maxmillions draws.
- Encore Gameplay: Encore, in contrast, involves a randomly generated 7-digit number (e.g., 6115847) that appears on the ticket when purchased with a host game like Lotto Max. Winning depends on matching digits of this number in exact sequence, either from the left, from the right, or both. For example, matching the first two digits (left-to-right) and the last two digits (right-to-left) can result in compounded prizes. Each Encore play costs $1.
While Lotto Max focuses on matching a complete set of chosen numbers, Encore focuses on positional matching of individual digits within a 7-digit sequence. The OLG states that players can add between 1 and 10 Encore plays per ticket.
What Are the Prize Structures and Odds for Each Game?
The prize structures and odds for Lotto Max and Encore are fundamentally different, reflecting their roles as a national jackpot game and a provincial add-on, respectively. Lotto Max offers a progressive jackpot, while Encore provides fixed-tier prizes.
Lotto Max Prize Structure and Odds
Lotto Max features a main jackpot that starts at $10 million and can climb to $70 million. When the jackpot exceeds $50 million, additional $1 million Maxmillions prizes are drawn. The overall odds of winning any prize in Lotto Max are 1 in 7. According to Lottocheck.app, the odds of winning the main jackpot (7/7 match) are 1 in 33,294,800.
Prizes range from a free play for matching 3 numbers plus the bonus, up to the multi-million dollar jackpot. The specific payouts vary based on the number of matches and whether a bonus number is included.
Encore Prize Structure and Odds (Ontario)
Encore offers 22 ways to win fixed cash prizes, with a top prize of $1 million. The odds of winning the $1 million top prize (matching all 7 digits in exact order) are 1 in 10,000,000, according to Lottomaxnumbers.com. Smaller prizes are awarded for matching fewer digits in sequence. For instance, matching the last digit typically yields a $2 prize. The overall odds of winning any Encore prize are 1 in 9.17.
A table outlining the main prize differences is below:
| Feature | Lotto Max | Encore (Ontario) |
|---|---|---|
| Game Type | National lottery | Provincial add-on |
| Cost per Play | $5 (for 3 selections) | $1 |
| Top Prize | Up to $70 million (plus Maxmillions) | $1 million |
| Number Selection | 7 numbers from 1-50 | Random 7-digit number |
| Matching Criteria | Exact match of chosen numbers | Sequential digit match (left, right, or both) |
| Overall Odds of Winning | 1 in 7 | 1 in 9.17 |
Why Do Add-On Games Like Encore Differ Across Provinces?
Add-on games like Encore vary significantly across Canadian provinces because they are managed by individual provincial lottery corporations, not by a national body. While national draws such as Lotto Max or Lotto 6/49 share identical numbers across all provinces, the secondary add-on games are administered and designed by provincial entities like OLG (Ontario), BCLC (British Columbia), WCLC (Western Canada Lottery Corporation), and ALC (Atlantic Lottery Corporation).
Each provincial corporation develops its own rules, prize structures, and matching directions for its add-on games. For example, OLG Encore in Ontario uses bidirectional and combination matching for its 7-digit number. In contrast, BCLC Extra in British Columbia features 4 distinct numbers between 01 and 99 and is completely order-independent. WCLC Extra, available in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Territories, uses a 7-digit number matched strictly from right to left. The Atlantic Lottery Corporation offers both TAG and TWIST, with TAG being a 6-digit number matched right-to-left and TWIST being exclusive to Lotto Max, matching two sets of seven numbers in any order against all eight winning numbers drawn.
This provincial autonomy allows for regional variations tailored to local preferences and regulations. For instance, the specific ways to win with Encore, including matching digits from both the front and back for compounded prizes, are unique to the OLG’s version of the game.
FAQ
Can you play Encore without playing Lotto Max?
No, Encore cannot be played on its own. It is an add-on game that must be purchased with a host lottery ticket, such as Lotto Max, Lotto 6/49, Ontario 49, Lottario, Daily Grand, or Daily Keno.
How many Encore entries can you add to a single ticket?
Players in most jurisdictions, including Ontario, can add up to 10 Encore lines per host lottery ticket. Each Encore line costs an additional $1.
When do Encore draws take place?
Encore draws run parallel to the main host lottery draw. For example, if you play Encore with a Tuesday Lotto Max draw, your Encore numbers will be entered into the draw on the same night.
Are Encore prizes fixed or do they vary?
Encore prizes are fixed payout tiers. The prize amounts for matching specific combinations of digits are predetermined by the provincial lottery corporations, unlike progressive jackpots.
Sources: Lotto Check – lottomaxnumbers.com – OLG – CA.LottoNumbers.comUpdated: November 5, 2026.
