How to Play Pick 3
In Pick 3, the aim of the game is to predict which three numbers will be drawn. You can take part three times a day and win up to $500. The latest Pick 3 results are announced at 1pm, 6pm and 9pm.
To place a bet, choose three digits from 0 to 9. You can select the same number more than once, so there are 1,000 possible combinations to choose from. Pick your own numbers or select a Quick Pick if you would prefer to use a random set.
Types of Bet
There are several different bet types to choose from in Pick 3:
- If you wish to try and predict the winning numbers in the positions they will appear, this is known as a Straight bet.
- To win by matching the numbers in any order, you can place a Box bet. For this type of wager, you can pick a 3-way selection or a 6-way. A 3-way selection has two identical numbers and one that is different (for example 1, 1 and 2). A 6-way selection has three different numbers (for example 1, 2 and 3).
- Other available bet types include Straight/Box and Combo wagers. A Straight/Box splits your stake so that half is bet on a Straight and half goes towards a Box. For a Combo, you are betting on all the different Straights within your selected numbers.
- You can even pick two numbers instead of three in what is known as a Pairs bet. You just need to state whether you are betting on the first two numbers or the last two, and match those numbers exactly in order to win.
Depending on the bet type you choose, you also have control over your bet amount. Unlike other games you will find in Ireland, it is up to you how much you stake for Straight and Box bets. The base amount is $0.50 per bet, but you also have the option to wager $1. The size of your bet determines how much you can win.
For a Combo bet, the price increases proportionately as you play more combinations, so the cost is $1.50 or $3 for a 3-way, or $3 or $6 for a 6-way.
How to Win Pick 3
You win Pick 3 prizes by accurately predicting the winning three numbers. A ‘Straight’ bet requires you to match all the numbers in the right positions, so there are no prizes for getting them in a different order. If you match all three numbers exactly, you win 500x your stake. A $0.50 bet will therefore fetch you $250, while a successful $1 wager will land you $500.
You win a Box bet if your three numbers are selected in any order. For a Straight/Box, you need your numbers to appear in order to win the full prize, but you still receive the Box portion of the prize if they are drawn in a different order.
The table below illustrates the prizes you can win for all the different bet types:
| Bet Type | Prize for $0.50 bet | Prize for $1 bet | Odds of Winning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight | $250 | $500 | 1 in 1,000 |
| Box (3-way) | $80 | $160 | 1 in 333.33 |
| Box (6-way) | $40 | $80 | 1 in 166.67 |
| Straight/Box (3-way) | $80/$330 | 1 in 333.33 / 1 in 1,000 | |
| Straight/Box (6-way) | $40/$290 | 1 in 166.67 / 1 in 1,000 | |
| Combo (3-way) | $250 | $500 | 1 in 333.33 |
| Combo (6-way) | $250 | $500 | 1 in 166.67 |
| Front Pair | $25 | $50 | 1 in 100 |
| Back Pair | $25 | $50 | 1 in 100 |
The prize associated with each bet amount and type always remains the same. If there are no winners in a particular game, the prize does not roll over. However, you are guaranteed to receive the specified amount regardless of how many other winners also match the winning numbers in the correct order.
Pick 3 is only available online so you can’t bet on the game at a retailer. With a digital entry, your numbers are kept safe and you will be paid any prizes you win quickly after the numbers have been selected and the results verified.
