Here’s a list of FAQs about the Pick 3 lottery 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!
Pick 3 was introduced to Ohio in 1979, at the time the game was called Numbers and drawn one time a day, six days a week. Since then, this lottery game has grown and become a household name throughout the great state of Ohio.
Pick 3 draws are held daily, seven days a week.
Pick 3 has two daily draws at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m..
This can be done in just a few easy steps. Select 3 numbers between 0-9, select your play type from four different options, 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.
To play Pick 3 you need to choose one of the following play types:
Straight Bet - You win if your numbers match the winning numbers and the order in which they are drawn. Wager amounts are $0.50 and $1.
Boxed Bet - For the same price as “straight bet”, you could win no matter the order that the numbers are drawn but you win a smaller prize. There are two types of boxed bets:
Back-up Bet - If your numbers match those drawn, you will be a winner whether they came up in the same “straight” or “boxed” order. While this may seem like an easier to win mode, a “straight bet” win here will award a greater reward than a “box bet” win.
Wheel Bet - This is simply a convenient way to play all the game types working for you but should you win, you will win the same amount regardless of whether it was in the straight or boxed order. To wheel you number, place an individual straight bet on each combination of your Pick 3 number.
Each play type has its own odds and payouts, which you can check in the table below.
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:
| Wager Type | Odds | $0.50 Wager | $1 Wager |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight | 1 in 1,000 | Pay $250 | $500 |
| 6-Way Wheel | 6 in 1,000 | Pay $250 | $500 |
| 3-Way Wheel | 3 in 1,000 | Pay $250 | $500 |
| 6-Way Box | 1 in 167 | Pay $41.50 | $83 |
| 3-Way Box | 1 in 333 | Pay $83.50 | $167 |
| Back Pair | 1 in 100 | Pay $25 | $50 |
| Front Pair | 1 in 100 | Pay $25 | $50 |
| Split Pair | 1 in 100 | Pay $25 | $50 |
| Amount Bet | Total Cost | 3-Way Back-Up | 6-Way Back-Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.50 | $1 | $333.50 | $291.50 |
| $1 | $2 | $667 | $583 |
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.