Let’s face it. Pick 3™ can be confusing to new players. With several ways to play and win, it’s no surprise that it’s our most complicated lotto game. So, we’re here to uncomplicate things for you.
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Drawing Schedule
Drawings are held daily at approximately 6:17 p.m.
Tickets must be purchased by 6:10 p.m. on drawing days.
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How To Play
Leave it all up to luck and ask for a Pick 3™ quick pick. You’ll get our most popular bet type, Straight-Box, with three randomly selected numbers. Your ticket will cost $1 (50 cents is bet “straight” and 50 cents is bet “box”) unless you specify a bet amount.
Or choose your own number(s), bet type and bet amount. Play slips are available at all lottery retailers. Note: play slips include the two most common bet amounts, 50 cents and $1. If you wish to bet more (up to $5), ask the sales associate to manually key in your number(s), bet type and bet amount.
There are eight different bet-types. The bet-type that you choose will appear on your ticket:
- First Digit: Pick one number. To win, match the first number drawn.
- Front Pair: Pick two numbers. To win, match the first two numbers drawn in the exact order.
- Back Pair: Pick two numbers. To win, match the last two numbers drawn in the exact order.
- Straight: Pick three numbers. To win, match all three numbers drawn in the exact order.
- 3-Way Box: Pick three numbers, 2 that are the same. To win, match all three numbers drawn in any order.
- 6-Way Box: Pick three different numbers. To win, match all three numbers drawn in any order.
- Straight/3-Way Box: Pick three numbers, two that are the same. To win $330*, match all three numbers drawn in the exact order. To win $80*, match all three numbers drawn in any order.
- Straight/6-Way Box: Pick three different numbers. To win $290*, match all three numbers drawn in the exact order. To win $40* match all three numbers drawn in any order.
* Based on $1 bet.
Multi-draw Tickets: You can purchase a ticket for up to 14 draws at a time. If you choose to play more than one draw, your ticket will include a drawing date range instead of a single drawing date.
There’s no need to wait until all of the drawings have happened to claim prizes. When the ticket is scanned at a lottery retailer or lottery office, a prize receipt will print showing what you won, and a new ticket will print with your remaining draws and the same numbers as the original ticket.
Drawings: Drawings are every day at 6:17 p.m. Tickets must be purchased by 6:10 p.m. on drawing days.
Pick 3 drawings are not televised.

Prizes and Odds
Match: | To Win:* | Approx. Odds |
---|---|---|
Straight | $500 | 1 in 1,000.00 |
Straight/3-Way Box | $330/$80 | 1 in 1,000.00/1 in 333.33 |
Straight/6-Way Box | $290/$40 | 1 in 1,000.00/1 in 166.66 |
3-Way Box | $160 | 1 in 333.33 |
6-Way Box | $80 | 1 in 166.66 |
Back Pair | $50 | 1 in 100.00 |
Front Pair | $50 | 1 in 100.00 |
First Digit | $5 | 1 in 10.00 |
*Winnings for each $1 ticket.
Prize claims must be submitted within one (1) year of the drawing date.
The Minnesota Lottery attempts to ensure that the winning numbers and jackpot amounts are posted correctly. However, posted numbers are unofficial. The only official source for verifying winning numbers on a player’s ticket is through the Minnesota Lottery’s central computer system. To confirm that a ticket is a winner, please have the ticket validated through a sales terminal at any Minnesota Lottery retailer.
Game Rules [PDF]