To play Pick 3, there are a few more steps than with many other lotteries. As well as choosing numbers, you have several other selections to make. The player guide below takes you through exactly what you need to do.
Pick a three-digit combination between 000 and 999. Mark your selections on your playslip or go for a Quick Pick to let the computer choose them randomly.
Choose your type of play from the available options - Straight, Box, Straight/Box, Combo, Front Pair or Back Pair. The method you pick helps to determine how much you can win.
Decide whether to play $0.50 or $1 per wager. Prizes are proportional to your stake, so you can win twice as much for a $1 play.
Specify whether you want to enter the Midday drawing, the Evening drawing, or both. You can also play up to 14 consecutive draws.
Select the Wild Ball option to give yourself even more ways to win. The Wild Ball is an extra number that can be used to replace any of the three main digits.
You can add the EZ Match option to your play if you want the opportunity to win a prize instantly, without even having to wait for the draw.
There are five play boards per playslip. The total cost of your play depends on how many boards you fill out, your wager amount and how many draws you are entering. Adding the Wild Ball and/or EZ Match also increases the cost of an entry.
Go to the Wild Ball page to learn more about the optional extra that gives you more ways to win, or head over to the EZ Match section to find out about the instant prizes you can receive.
You have to purchase your tickets before draws take place at 12:45 p.m. and 8:59 p.m. If you miss this cut-off time, there is a draw break until 12:59 p.m. for the Midday draw, or 9:15 p.m. for the Evening draw.
There are six types of play you can choose from in Missouri. It might be that you pick the one that offers the best prizes, the best odds of winning, or somewhere in-between.
To win a Straight, you have to select three numbers and match the winning digits exactly in order.
For a Box play, the order is irrelevant. As long as the three numbers you pick are all drawn, you win.
Half your wager goes on matching the numbers in exact order, and half on matching them in any order.
Every combination of the numbers you choose is entered as a separate Straight play, so you still get the top payout but you have a better chance of winning. You just have to pay for each combination.
You just need to select the two numbers which you think will be drawn first and second. Match both numbers in exact order to win.
This is a prediction on the numbers which will be selected second and third. You need to get both of them in the correct positions to win.
Go to the Prizes and Chances page to find out all the payouts you can receive for Pick 3. Each play type has a different prize associated with it, ranging from $60 for a Pairs win to $600 for a Straight (for a $1 play). Prizes are cut in half if you only decide to wager $0.50.