How to Play 4D — The Complete Guide

Where to Buy & How to Pay — Step by Step

There are three ways people try to buy 4D: licensed physical outlets, "online", and underground bookies. In Malaysia only the first is legal and safe. Here is the real-world walk-through, from finding an outlet to collecting a prize.

1 · Licensed physical outlets (the only legal way)

Magnum, Sports Toto and DaMaCai (PMP-licensed) outlets cover nearly every town in Peninsular Malaysia; Sabah 88 / Sandakan in Sabah, CashSweep in Sarawak, Grand Dragon through its own daily outlets. A licensed outlet displays the operator brand and licence number. To find one: Google Maps ("Magnum 4D" / "Sports Toto" / "DaMaCai" + your area) or the outlet locator on each operator’s official site. Some also have self-service terminals.

At the counter — example: number 2581, Big, RM1

1. Go on a draw day (Magnum/Sports Toto/DaMaCai: Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday — other markets follow their own schedules). Sales close before the night draw; ask the counter for that day’s cut-off time.
2. Take a blank bet slip at the counter, or use the self-service terminal if there is one.
3. Write your number — one digit per box (2 · 5 · 8 · 1). Don’t want to choose? Ask for a random number (Quick Pick / Lucky Pick).
4. Mark the bet type: Big, Small or both; for every digit arrangement pick iBox / i-Perm.
5. Hand the slip to the cashier and state the amount ("one Big, one Small, RM1 each"). Minimum is usually RM1 per number.
6. Pay cash at the counter when buying — there is no "pay later". Some outlets may accept e-wallets; ask first.
7. The ticket prints: check it before you leave — number, Big/Small, draw number & date, stake.
8. Keep the ticket. It is the only proof to claim a prize — lost or torn means no claim.

Golden rule: money changes hands only at the licensed counter. Anyone asking you to transfer first, "pay after you win", or offering credit is not a licensed outlet.

2 · "Online"?

Magnum, Sports Toto and DaMaCai have no official online sales in Malaysia. Websites, apps, WhatsApp or Telegram accounts claiming to buy for you are unlicensed middlemen — your number is played without a valid ticket and nobody protects you in a dispute. The only legitimate online betting in this region: Singapore Pools, for Singapore residents with an account + age verification only.

3 · Illegal bookies

Bookies take bets without a licence — usually on credit, by phone or message, sometimes with "rebates". It is illegal (Betting Act 1953). No ticket, no record, no protection: the bet is not legally enforceable, big winners often go unpaid, and debt spirals easily. In short: don’t use bookies. Licensed outlets with a ticket in hand only.

4 · If you win — where you get paid

Standard prizes (e.g. RM60–RM2,500): cash at any outlet of the same operator — bring the valid ticket (plus ID for larger prizes). Jackpots/large prizes: claim at the operator’s head office. Claim windows are set per operator (usually 90–180 days — check the back of the ticket); claim as soon as possible. Results go live on 4dmalaya on draw night; every date page is archived permanently.

Magnum 4D

What it is

Malaysia's longest-running 4D market — you pick one 4-digit number from 0000 to 9999.

How to play

Pick your number at the counter (or let the terminal Quick Pick it). Choose Big, Small, or both. M-Box (any digit order) and iPerm are also available.

Costs & prizes

Big RM1 — wins more categories (all 23 drawn numbers) but lower top prizes. Small RM1 — only the top 3 prizes but noticeably higher payouts.

Magnum also runs 4D Jackpot Gold (6 digits from a pair of 4D numbers) and Magnum Life (8 numbers + 2 bonus). Each is covered in its own section below.

Draw schedule

Draws every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, plus special draws.

SportsToto 4D

What it is

One of Malaysia's largest 4D operators; the 4D game pairs with a zodiac sign.

How to play

Same as Magnum: pick a 4-digit number, then Big and/or Small. Toto also publishes a zodiac with the draw — a winning number can earn extra via the zodiac.

Costs & prizes

Big RM1 — wins more categories (all 23 drawn numbers) but lower top prizes. Small RM1 — only the top 3 prizes but noticeably higher payouts.

The Toto family: 4D, Zodiac 4D, Fireball, 5D, 6D, and the Star/Power/Supreme Toto lotteries.

Draw schedule

Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday + special draws.

DaMaCai 1+3D

What it is

A classic 4D market that also runs 1+3D and 3+3D.

How to play

For 1+3D: your 4D number automatically enters the 1+3D prize pool too. The 3+3D game uses pairs and must be bought separately.

Costs & prizes

Big RM1 — wins more categories (all 23 drawn numbers) but lower top prizes. Small RM1 — only the top 3 prizes but noticeably higher payouts.

Draw schedule

Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday + special draws.

Grand Dragon 4D

What it is

A daily 4D market — a draw almost every day.

How to play

Standard 4D format: pick a 4-digit number, Big / Small / box.

Costs & prizes

Big RM1 — wins more categories (all 23 drawn numbers) but lower top prizes. Small RM1 — only the top 3 prizes but noticeably higher payouts.

Draw schedule

Daily — a fresh draw every day.

Sandakan 4D

What it is

An East Malaysia (Sabah) market.

How to play

Standard 4D: one 4-digit number, Big / Small / box.

Costs & prizes

Big RM1 — wins more categories (all 23 drawn numbers) but lower top prizes. Small RM1 — only the top 3 prizes but noticeably higher payouts.

Draw schedule

Draw days differ from the West Malaysian markets — check the official Sandakan site for the current schedule.

Sabah 88 4D

What it is

Sabah’s 4D operator, with its own prize schedule and jackpots.

How to play

Standard 4D plus extra games: 3D, Sabah Lotto, and the L6 / L5 series.

Costs & prizes

Big RM1 — wins more categories (all 23 drawn numbers) but lower top prizes. Small RM1 — only the top 3 prizes but noticeably higher payouts.

Draw schedule

Varies by market — check the official site.

Sarawak CashSweep

What it is

Sarawak's 4D operator with its classic sweep number.

How to play

Same 4D flow. CashSweep also runs Gold4D Sweep (4 digits + a sweep) and a 3D market.

Costs & prizes

Big RM1 — wins more categories (all 23 drawn numbers) but lower top prizes. Small RM1 — only the top 3 prizes but noticeably higher payouts.

Draw schedule

Typically Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday — confirm with the official site.

Singapore 4D (Pools)

What it is

Singapore's 4D — very close in format, with its own prize groups.

How to play

Pick a 4-digit number and bet type; buy at a Singapore Pools outlet or officially online via the Singapore Pools site or app (account + age verification required).

Costs & prizes

Big RM1 — wins more categories (all 23 drawn numbers) but lower top prizes. Small RM1 — only the top 3 prizes but noticeably higher payouts.

Draw schedule

Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday.

SportsToto Fireball

What it is

A 4D variant where your number is matched through one "Fireball" digit — 5 borrowed numbers per prize.

How to play

Pick your 4-digit number, a Fireball digit 0–9, and the category. If that draw’s Fireball is 6, 9069 spawns 9069/6069/9669/9069/9066 — 5 recorded combinations.

Costs & prizes

Big RM1 — wins more categories (all 23 drawn numbers) but lower top prizes. Small RM1 — only the top 3 prizes but noticeably higher payouts.

Draw schedule

Same draws as SportsToto (Wednesday/Saturday/Sunday).

SportsToto 5D

What it is

A 5-digit number; prizes pay per digit position (1st through 6th).

How to play

Pick a 5-digit number (or Quick Pick). Winning follows digit matches from the back, with a separate prize per position.

Costs & prizes

Big RM1 — wins more categories (all 23 drawn numbers) but lower top prizes. Small RM1 — only the top 3 prizes but noticeably higher payouts.

Draw schedule

Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday, alongside Toto 4D.

SportsToto 6D

What it is

A 6-digit number — matches from the back; the longer the match, the bigger the prize.

How to play

Pick a 6-digit number. You win when the trailing digits match the drawn number.

Costs & prizes

Big RM1 — wins more categories (all 23 drawn numbers) but lower top prizes. Small RM1 — only the top 3 prizes but noticeably higher payouts.

Draw schedule

Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday (same as Toto 4D).

Star / Power / Supreme Toto

What it is

Three 6-number lotteries (from 50 / 55 / 58) — numbers are balls drawn from a drum, not 4 digits.

How to play

Choose 6 numbers (or Quick Pick). The jackpot needs all 6; lower matches of 3–5 + the extra number also pay.

Costs & prizes

Big RM1 — wins more categories (all 23 drawn numbers) but lower top prizes. Small RM1 — only the top 3 prizes but noticeably higher payouts.

Draw schedule

Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday (same as Toto 4D).

Magnum 4D Jackpot Gold

What it is

Uses 6 digits made of two 4D pairs; the jackpot needs both pairs to hit.

How to play

You select a pair of 4D numbers; keys reward the pair plus a GOLD number for an extra prize group.

Costs & prizes

Big RM1 — wins more categories (all 23 drawn numbers) but lower top prizes. Small RM1 — only the top 3 prizes but noticeably higher payouts.

Draw schedule

Same draws as Magnum 4D.

Magnum Life

What it is

An 8-number game with 2 bonus numbers where jackpots can pay annually for life.

How to play

Pick (or Quick Pick) 8 numbers plus 2 bonus numbers. Prize tiers depend on how many of the 9 ball results (8 + 2 bonus) your set matches.

Costs & prizes

Big RM1 — wins more categories (all 23 drawn numbers) but lower top prizes. Small RM1 — only the top 3 prizes but noticeably higher payouts.

Draw schedule

Draws with Magnum 4D (Wednesday/Saturday/Sunday).

DaMaCai 3+3D

What it is

6 digits made of two 3-digit numbers; the draw shows 3 winning numbers.

How to play

Pick your 6 digits. There is also the 1+3D variant where a 4-digit entry pairs with the 3-digit draw.

Costs & prizes

Big RM1 — wins more categories (all 23 drawn numbers) but lower top prizes. Small RM1 — only the top 3 prizes but noticeably higher payouts.

Draw schedule

Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday.

Sabah 3D & CashSweep 3D

What it is

The 3-digit games of both East Malaysian markets.

How to play

Pick a 3-digit number; 1st/2nd/3rd prizes are set per market.

Costs & prizes

Big RM1 — wins more categories (all 23 drawn numbers) but lower top prizes. Small RM1 — only the top 3 prizes but noticeably higher payouts.

Draw schedule

Follows Sabah 88 / CashSweep schedules.

Sabah Lotto & L6/L5

What it is

A 6-number lottery plus the L6 / L5 lettered series (A/B numbers per draw).

How to play

Lotto: choose 6 numbers + match the extra. L6/L5: pick your numbers per lettered series; each pays on its own prize table.

Costs & prizes

Big RM1 — wins more categories (all 23 drawn numbers) but lower top prizes. Small RM1 — only the top 3 prizes but noticeably higher payouts.

Draw schedule

Follows the Sabah 88 schedule.

Singapore Toto

What it is

Pick 6 numbers from 1–49 plus an additional number; 7 prize groups.

How to play

Buy at an outlet or officially online via Singapore Pools. The jackpot needs all 6 + the additional number; we publish the complete 7-division table each draw.

Costs & prizes

Big RM1 — wins more categories (all 23 drawn numbers) but lower top prizes. Small RM1 — only the top 3 prizes but noticeably higher payouts.

Draw schedule

Monday and Thursday draws.

Special Draws

What it is

Extra draws beyond the weekly schedule — usually tied to Chinese New Year, Merdeka, Christmas etc.

How to play

Played exactly like the normal 4D, through the same outlets. We announce the next special draw on the home page when one is scheduled.

Costs & prizes

Big RM1 — wins more categories (all 23 drawn numbers) but lower top prizes. Small RM1 — only the top 3 prizes but noticeably higher payouts.

Draw schedule

Announced by each operator, usually a few weeks ahead.