Pick 3 FAQS
Learn more about various aspects of Pick 3, from the different bet types to how the Fireball works, with the help of these frequently asked questions.
Pick 3 drawings are held twice daily. There is a Midday draw at 12:59 PM ET and an Evening draw at 10:57 PM.
You have until 12:53 PM to buy tickets for the Midday drawing. The cut-off time for the Evening draw is 10:53 PM. Tickets purchased after this cut-off will be entered into the next applicable draw.
Start by choosing three numbers from 0 to 9. You then have to select a bet type, wager amount and whether you would like to add Fireball or Instant Match. See the How to Play page for a detailed step-by-step guide.
The most popular bet types are a Straight (where you have to match the numbers in exact order) and a Box (the numbers can be matched in any order). A Straight/Box is also available if you want to split your wager in two, or you can play a Wheel to enter every possible Straight combination of your selected numbers. Finally, you can play a Pair bet and just try to match two of the three numbers in order.
You can wager $0.50, $1, $2, $3, $4 or $5.
Yes, you can enter your numbers in up to seven consecutive draws. You must to specify whether you want to play the Midday draw, the Evening draw, or both.
The prize you can win depends on your bet type and your wager amount. For example, winning a Straight bet will land you 500 times the amount you wagered. Check the Odds and Prizes page for a full list of prizes.
The odds of matching all three numbers in order are 1 in 1,000. Your chances of winning a non-Straight wager are different and also depend on whether you play a 3-Way or a 6-Way wager. See the Odds and Prizes page for more information about your chances of winning.
A 3-Way wager has two numbers that are the same and one that is different. For example, 112, which can be arranged in ‘three ways’ – 112, 121, and 211. A 6-Way wager has three different numbers, so there are six possible combinations. The numbers 123, for example, can also be ordered 132, 213, 231, 312, and 321.
The Fireball option doubles the cost of your play but gives you a much better chance of winning. A fourth number – the Fireball – is drawn after the first three and can be swapped in for any of the other digits. This creates three more combinations in each draw, potentially making you a winner if you had just missed out.
Instant Match is another option that you can add to your ticket for an extra $1 per play. It generates a set of random numbers, each with a prize value, on your ticket. If the Instant Match numbers match your Pick numbers, you can win up to $500 without even having to wait for the draw.
Occasionally, the New Jersey Lottery may halt sales of a particular three-digit combination. This happens when so many players have selected those numbers that the 'liability limit' has been reached. If any more people bought those numbers, and they ended up winning, the lottery wouldn't have the funds to pay everyone's prizes!
You have to be at least 18 years old to play New Jersey Pick 3.
The claim period is one year from the draw date. View the How to Claim page to learn what to do if you win a prize.
The combined Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots are currently estimated at...
