How to play Pick 3 | FAQs

Here’s a list of FAQs about the Pick 3 lottery game which may answer some of your questions. If you can’t find the answers here, you can also get in touch with our Customer Experience Team with your questions!

If you would like to order tickets for the next Pick 3 draw, please visit the Pick 3 game page.


When did the Pick 3 lottery start?

Pick 3 was introduced to Texas in 1993, this lottery game has grown and become a household name all over the great state of Texas.


What are the days of the Pick 3 lottery?

Pick 3 draws are held six days a week, from Monday through to Saturday.


What time is the Pick 3 draw?

Pick 3 has four daily draws at 10:00 a.m., 12:27 p.m. , 6:00 p.m. and 10:12 p.m. CT.


How to play Pick 3 lottery?

This can be done in just a few easy steps. Select 3 numbers between 0-9, select your play type from four different options, at this point you can also select if you wish to use the Fireball feature, and complete as many entries as you wish. In case you don’t have your lucky numbers, you can use the ‘Quick Pick’ function and the system will randomly choose the numbers for you.


What is the Pick 3 strategy?

To play Pick 3 you need to choose one of the following play types:
Exact Order - You win if your numbers match the winning numbers and the order in which they are drawn.
Any Order - For the same price as “exact order”, you could win no matter the order that the numbers are drawn but you win a smaller prize.
Exact/Any Order - For a slightly higher price than the Exact or Any order game types if your numbers match those drawn, you will be a winner whether they came up in the same “exact” or “any” order. While this may seem like an easier to win mode, an “exact order” win here will award a greater reward than an “any order” win.
Combo Order- This is a way to play all the game types at a slightly higher price than the Exact/Any Order but if you win, you will get the same amount regardless of whether it was in the exact order or any order.
Each play type has its own odds and payouts, which you can check in the table below.


What is Pick 3 Fireball?

Fireball is the additional number that is drawn after the main three Pick 3 numbers.
When selecting to play with the Fireball feature on, you have the opportunity to replace any one of the three numbers that are drawn to try forming a winning combination. You win a prize if your numbers match any of the Fireball winning combinations. You can find more information in the table below.


What are Pick 3 payouts and odds?

You can find the different Pick 3 prize tiers, the odds of winning and the estimated prize amount for each specific tier in the table below:

Pick 3 Base Game Plus Fireball
Play Types Odds Prize Amounts Wins Odds Prize Amounts
EXACT ORDER:
Match in exact order
50¢ Play $1 Play $1 Play $2 Play
3 different numbers 1:1,000 $250 $500 1 Win 1:333 $90 $180
2 like numbers and
1 different number
1:1,000 $250 $500 2 Wins 1:10,000 $180 $360
1 Win 1:357 $90 $180
3 like numbers 1:1,000 $250 $500 3 Wins 1:10,000 $270 $540
1 Win 1:370 $90 $180
ANY ORDER:
Match in any order
50¢ Play $1 Play $1 Play $2 Play
3-WAY
2 like numbers and
1 different number
1:333 $80 $160 3 Wins 1:10,000 $90 $180
2 Wins 1:1,667 $60 $120
1 Win 1:133 $30 $60
6-WAY
3 different numbers
1:167 $40 $80 2 Wins 1:556 $30 $60
1 Win 1:69 $15 $30
Play Type Odds Prize Amounts ANY EXACT Odds Prize Amounts
EXACT/ANY ORDER:
Match in exact order or any order. A 50¢ base play cost $1. Prize amounts shown are based on a 50¢ base play.
ANY EXACT* $2 Play
3-WAY
2 like numbers and
1 different number
1:333 $80 $330*
($250+$80)
2 Wins 2 Wins 1:10,000 $240
3 Wins 1 Win 1:10,000 $180
2 Wins 1 Win 1:5,000 $150
2 Wins 0 1:3,333 $60
1 Win 1 Win 1:400 $120
1 Win 0 1:200 $30
6-WAY
3 different numbers
1:167 $40 $290*
($250+$40)
2 Wins 1 Win 1:1,667 $120
1 Win 1 Win 1:417 $105
2 Wins 0 1:833 $30
1 Win 0 1:83 $15
*Prize amount is greater (as shown) when a player’s numbers match in Exact Order the numbers drawn. The Exact Order prize amount combines Any Prize and Exact Prize.
Play Type Odds Prize Amounts Wins Odds Prize Amounts
COMBO: covers all the possible Exact Order combinations of three single-digit numbers. A 50 cent base play costs $1.50 to $6 and a $1 base play costs $3 to $12 depending on the numbers you select. 50¢ Base Play $1 Base Play
$1.50 Play $3 Play $3 Play $6 Play
3-WAY
2 like numbers and
1 different number
1:333 $250 $500 3 Wins 1:10,000 $270 $540
2 Wins 1:1,667 $180 $360
1 Win 1:133 $90 $180
$3 Play $6 Play $6 Play $12 Play
6-WAY
3 different numbers
1:167 $250 $500 2 Wins 1:556 $180 $360
1 Win 1:69 $90 $180
(NOTE: Number combinations shown are for example only.)

How do I know if I am a Pick 3 winner?

If you win, you will be informed by email. You can also compare your numbers with the winning numbers from our Pick 3 results page which is updated after every draw.
If you are unsure whether you’re one of the lucky winners, you can also contact our Customer Experience Team who will be more than happy to answer all of your questions.