Bet types
4D Permutation Types: 24-Way, 12-Way, 6-Way, 4-Way and 1-Way
· 4 min read
The number of ways you can rearrange four digits depends on how many of them repeat. That count, called the permutation type or “way”, decides how much a Box bet costs and how much an iBox pays.
The five types
| Type | Pattern | Example | Orderings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24-way | All four digits different | 1234 | 24 |
| 12-way | One pair | 1123 | 12 |
| 6-way | Two pairs | 1122 | 6 |
| 4-way | Three of a kind | 1112 | 4 |
| 1-way | All four the same | 8888 | 1 |
Why the counts differ
With four different digits there are 4 × 3 × 2 × 1 = 24 ways to order them. When two digits are the same, swapping them gives the same number, so the count halves to 12. Two pairs halves it again to 6; three of a kind leaves just 4 places for the odd digit; and 8888 can only be written one way.
How many 4D numbers of each type?
| Type | Numbers | Share of all 10,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 24-way | 5,040 | 50.4% |
| 12-way | 4,320 | 43.2% |
| 6-way | 270 | 2.7% |
| 4-way | 360 | 3.6% |
| 1-way | 10 | 0.1% |
Half of all numbers have four different digits, and almost all the rest have one pair. That's why “double” numbers like 1122 or 1112 feel rare: there are only 630 of them in total. They are not more or less likely to be drawn than any other number. Each single number still has a 1 in 10,000 chance.
What it means for your ticket
- Box costs your stake × the number of orderings: RM24 for a RM1 Box on a 24-way number, RM6 on a 6-way.
- iBox pays the prize ÷ the number of orderings, so 6-way and 4-way numbers pay much more per win than 24-way.
- A 1-way number like 8888 can't be boxed: it's just a straight bet.
See Box vs iBox for the full cost and payout table.
Quick answers
How many permutations does a 4D number have?
24 if all digits differ, 12 with one pair, 6 with two pairs, 4 with three of a kind, and 1 if all four digits are the same.
Are 24-way numbers more likely to win?
Each individual number has the same 1 in 10,000 chance. A 24-way Box covers more numbers, so it wins more often, but it also costs 24 times as much.
Guides are general information, not advice. Rules and prize tables can differ between operators. Always check with the operator. 4D is for non-Muslims aged 21 and above.