Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Pick 3 in Arizona, covering topics such as the different play types and claiming prizes. Look through all the answers to find out more about this daily game.
Pick 3 is a three-digit lottery in which three winning numbers from 0 to 9 are selected at random. You win prizes by successfully matching the winning numbers.
To play Pick 3, you just need to select three numbers from 0 to 9, or get a Quick Pick if you prefer. Choose a play type, and decide whether to get a 1-Play or a 2-Play. Go to the How to Play page for full step-by-step instructions.
You can choose from various play types – Straight, Box, Straight/Box, Front Pair or Back Pair. For the Box and Straight/Box play types, you must also think about whether to play a 3-Way (two like numbers out of three) or a 6-Way (three different numbers). The prizes are better for 3-Way plays, but the odds are not as good.
A 1-play selection is when you enter one set of numbers for the $1 cost of a ticket. A 2-Play gives you two sets of numbers. You therefore have a better chance of winning with a 2-Play, but the cost per play is $0.50 so the potential prizes for each one are only half the amount of the 1-Play prizes.
To win a prize, you need to match all the numbers you pick. Whether you have to match them in order depends on whether you have played a Straight or a Box. For a Straight/Box, you win part of the prize if you match the numbers in a different order to the one specified.
The prize you can win depends on the play type and the cost per play. The most you can win for a single $1 play is $500, if you select a Straight and match all three numbers in order. Go to the Prizes page for more information about what you can win.
Drawings are held every evening from Monday to Sunday, with ticket sales cut-off at 6:59 p.m. and the numbers selected shortly afterwards.
The Arizona Lottery uses a digital drawing system, based at its head office in Phoenix. This sees the numbers generated at random, using machines that are audited and certified.
Yes, you can enter your numbers into as many as 12 consecutive drawings.
Unlike many other states in the U.S., the minimum age for playing Pick 3 and other lotteries in Arizona is 21.
Yes, you can play in Arizona without being a resident of the state, as long as you are old enough. You just have to remember to claim any prizes in Arizona.
You can claim Pick 3 prizes from lottery retailers in Arizona. All retailers will redeem prizes of up to $100, and may pay out larger awards. If not, you can claim from lottery offices in the state or mail in your tickets.
The claim period for all Arizona Lottery prizes is 180 days.
Most of the prize money that is not claimed is added back into the Arizona Lottery’s prize fund to pay for exciting promotions or games. The rest is sued to support various worthy beneficiaries such as the Victims Right’s Enforcement Fund and the Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children (AZICAC) Task Force.
If you lose your ticket, you probably won’t be able to claim any prizes it might have been due. To protect yourself, you should sign the back of any tickets you buy so that nobody else can cash them in.