Using "preg_match" (or something similar) to match a "select" options - php

Question

i am trying to write validation that checks too see if the option picked matches the regex. There is 10 options, with only one of the options being wrong.
So far iv tried using if and else statements combined with "preg_match" and "$matches" but i cant seem to get it to work for select options. Here is my code and what iv been trying so far.
My Select options on form:
<h3>Standard</h3>
<label for="Adu">Adults</label>
<span class="error">* <?php echo $staErr;?></span>
<select name="seats[STA]" id="seatsSTA">
<option value="0">Choose one from below</option>
<option value="1">1xTicket</option>
<option value="2">2xTicket</option>
<option value="3">3xTicket</option>
<option value="4">4xTicket</option>
<option value="5">5xTicket</option>
<option value="6">6xTicket</option>
<option value="7">7xTicket</option>
<option value="8">8xTicket</option>
<option value="9">9xTicket</option>
</select>
My attempt at the regex:
$staErr = "";
$seatsSTA = "";
if ($_SERVER["REQUEST_METHOD"] == "POST") {
if (empty($_POST["seatsSTA"])) {
$staErr = "no match";
} else {
$seatsSTA = test_input($_POST["seatsSTA"]);
// check if name only contains letters and whitespace
if (preg_match("/\b1xTICKET\b/i",$seatsSTA)) {
$staErr = "matches";
}
}
}
It should Echo "matches" if any of the tickets options are selected (1xTicket, 2xTicket,...) and it should echo "no match" if any other option is picked (in this case it will only be "Choose one from below").

Answer 1

First of all your input name is incorrect. You are using seats[STA] in the form and seatsSTA in PHP.
Second Your pattern is matching only for number 1 when it should match all numbers from 1-9 like this /\b[1-9]xTICKET\b/i