Pick 3 offers a flat payout structure, with fixed payouts for each bet type. For example, if you play a Straight and match all three winning numbers in exact order, you’ll receive 500x your wager amount. Most players bet $0.50 or $1, but you can wager up to $5 so it is possible to win as much as $2,500 in Pick 3.
The odds of matching all three numbers in order are 1 in 1,000, regardless of which combination you pick. For example, there have been more than 100 triples (when all three numbers are the same, such as 000) drawn since Pick 3 launched in 1990.
You can boost your chances of winning by choosing a different bet type, for example selecting just the First Digit or a Pair play, or going for a Box rather than a Straight. The prize amounts reflect the odds of winning. The table below shows all the prizes and odds.
| Play Type | Odds | Prize ($0.50 Wager) | Prize ($1 Wager) | Prize ($5 Wager) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight | 1 in 1,000 | $250 | $500 | $2,500 |
| Box - 3-Way | 1 in 333 | $80 | $160 | $800 |
| Box - 6-Way | 1 in 167 | $40 | $80 | $400 |
| Straight/Box - 3-Way | 1 in 1,000/1 in 333 | N/A | $330 (Straight/Box)* $80 (Box only)* |
$1,650 (Straight/Box)* $400 (Box only)* |
| Straight/Box - 6-Way | 1 in 1,000/1 in 167 | N/A | $290 (Straight/Box)* $40 (Box only)* |
$1,450 (Straight/Box)* $200 (Box only)* |
| First Digit | 1 in 10 | N/A | $5 | $25 |
| Front Pair | 1 in 100 | $25 | $50 | $250 |
| Back Pair | 1 in 100 | $25 | $50 | $250 |
*This is the combined payout for Straight and Box plays
When popular number combinations are drawn, it can lead to extremely high payouts. For example, in November 2018, the number 123 was selected, generating $441,658 in total prize money for lucky players throughout the Land of 10,000 Lakes. The Minnesota Lottery does have the right to limit sales of particular number combinations to ensure there is no chance of prize amounts ever having to be reduced.
You can claim Pick 3 prizes of any value by mail. The address is the Minnesota State Lottery, P.O. Box 131000, Roseville, MN 551113, and you will need to fill out a claim form for prizes worth more than $600. For smaller prizes, you can redeem your money from local retailers, while for amounts of $600 or more you can also visit the lottery headquarters in person.