The difference between Melate and Melate Retro comes down to format, draw days and odds. Melate uses 6 numbers from 1 to 56 plus a bonus number and is played on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, with jackpot odds of 1 in 32,468,436. Melate Retro uses 6 numbers from 1 to 39 plus a bonus number, is played on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and its jackpot odds are 1 in 3,262,623 — far better, because there are fewer numbers in play. In short: Retro is statistically more reachable, but it tends to pay out more modest jackpots than Melate.
The format: how many numbers and from what range
Both draws belong to the same family run by Pronósticos para la Asistencia Pública, but their boards are different. In Melate you pick 6 numbers from 1 to 56, and a bonus number is also drawn. In Melate Retro you pick 6 numbers, but the range runs only from 1 to 39, also with a bonus number.
That shorter range is the key to everything else. With fewer possible combinations, Retro's jackpot is easier to hit in terms of probability. If you are still unclear on the basic mechanic of picking and marking your numbers, you should first read what Melate is and the guide on how to play Melate.
The draw days
Here there is an important practical difference for planning your play:
- Melate: drawn on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, around 9:00 p.m. central Mexico time.
- Melate Retro: drawn on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Taken together, between the two there are draws on almost every day of the week. You can check the latest numbers on the results page once they are published.
The jackpot odds
This is the most relevant difference if what you are after is getting closer to the jackpot:
- Melate: 1 in 32,468,436 possible combinations, which is C(56,6).
- Melate Retro: 1 in 3,262,623 combinations, which is C(39,6).
Put another way, hitting the jackpot in Melate Retro is roughly ten times more likely than in Melate, simply because there are ten times fewer combinations. That does not mean it is easy: it is still a very unlikely event. And one fundamental point: every combination of 6 numbers has exactly the same probability. There are no "lucky numbers" that boost your chances; the statistics are purely informational.
The size of the jackpot
Melate's wider range has a flip side: because it is harder to hit, the jackpot rolls over more often and tends to grow larger. That is why Melate tends to offer bigger jackpots, while Retro's are more modest.
The accumulation works the same way in both: if no one matches all 6 numbers, the jackpot rolls over to the next draw. To put it in perspective, Melate's all-time record was 639,500,000 pesos in 2013, while Retro's record was 68,000,000 pesos in 2025.
A little history
Melate is the older of the two in its current format: it has been running since December 9, 2007 and has accumulated more than 2,136 draws. Melate Retro came later, since June 1, 2010, and adds up to more than 1,641 draws. If you want the details on the younger draw, take a look at the entry dedicated to Melate Retro.
Revancha and Revanchita
They are worth mentioning because they go along with Melate. Revancha and Revanchita are optional games: they use the same 6 numbers from your Melate ticket, but they are 6 numbers chosen from 1 to 56 with no bonus number, and each one has its own jackpot. They are a way to give the same ticket more chances.
A statistical note (informational only)
For those who enjoy the numbers: in Melate, the most frequent number historically has been 29 (258 appearances) and the least frequent 37 (199). In Retro, the most frequent has been 26 (293 appearances). We stress it again: this is purely informational. Past frequency does not change the probability of a number coming up in the next draw. You can explore more figures on the statistics page.
So which one should you play?
It depends on what you value most. If your thing is chasing big jackpots and you do not mind the lower odds, Melate is a better fit. If you prefer relatively higher jackpot odds, even if the jackpot is more modest, Melate Retro is the more reachable option. Neither of them guarantees anything: both are games of chance and are meant for entertainment.
Frequently asked questions about Melate and Melate Retro
What is the main difference between Melate and Melate Retro?
The number range: Melate uses 6 numbers from 1 to 56 plus a bonus number, and Retro uses 6 from 1 to 39 plus a bonus number. That gives Retro better jackpot odds, but typically more modest jackpots.
Which one has better jackpot odds?
Melate Retro, at 1 in 3,262,623, versus 1 in 32,468,436 for Melate. Hitting it in Retro is roughly ten times more likely, although it is still a very rare event.
What days is each one played?
Melate is drawn on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays around 9:00 p.m. central Mexico time. Melate Retro is drawn on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Why does Melate usually have bigger jackpots?
Because with more possible combinations it is harder to match all 6 numbers, so the jackpot rolls over more often and grows larger. Its all-time record was 639,500,000 pesos in 2013.
Can I play Revancha and Revanchita on Melate Retro?
Revancha and Revanchita are optional games tied to Melate. They use the same 6 numbers from your Melate ticket, chosen from 1 to 56 with no bonus number, and each one has its own jackpot.
Does picking the most frequent numbers help you win?
No. Every combination of 6 numbers has exactly the same probability. Frequency statistics are purely informational and do not increase your chances; no method predicts or guarantees the winning numbers.
Where do you buy tickets?
Through the authorized points of sale of Pronósticos para la Asistencia Pública and its official channels, including the digital ones. MelateBot is an informational and entertainment site: it does not sell tickets, does not handle payments and is not affiliated with Pronósticos.
To keep exploring: what Melate is, the Melate Retro guide, how to play Melate, the results and the statistics for each draw. You can also head back to the blog for more comparisons.
Which one will you play today?
Whether you prefer the classic Melate format or Melate Retro, what matters is playing in an informed way and for entertainment. Generate combinations for either one with MelateBot AI Picks and review the results and statistics of both draws.
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All MelateBot content is for entertainment purposes; no method predicts or guarantees the winning numbers.