Pick 3 Ohio lottery: Play smart!

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Written By Karla
Hey there, I'm Karla Alvarez! I'm an Information Sciences graduate with a real passion for research and lottery games. My goal is to share with you the best strategies, tips and interesting facts about the exciting world of luck and odds.

Ever wondered what it would be like to win the Pick 3 Ohio Lottery? This game, which is drawn twice a day, every day, gives you some of the best odds to take home a prize. With odds of 1 in 1,000, your chances of winning are quite promising. But what really sets Pick 3 apart is the variety of ways you can play and win. It’s no surprise that it’s become a favorite among Ohio Lottery players.

Want to know how to make the most of these opportunities? Read on for all the details on how to play Pick 3 Lottery in Ohio and increase your chances of winning.

What is the Pick 3 Lottery?

Pick 3 is one of the most popular lottery games in Ohio, known for its simplicity and daily chance to win. It started in 1979 under the name “Numbers” and was drawn once a day, six days a week.

In this game, you choose three numbers, each ranging from 0 to 9. The key to winning is how you choose to play those numbers. You can choose the Straight option, where you must match the numbers in the exact order they are drawn, or the Box option, where you can win by matching the numbers in any order. You can also combine these playing styles to increase your chances of winning.

How to play the Pick 3 Ohio Lottery?

To play the Pick 3 Ohio Lottery, you start by choosing three numbers between 0 and 9. You can either manually select your numbers or choose Quick Pick, where the machine will randomly select the numbers for you.

If you need help choosing your numbers, Clover is here for you. Clover is our AI-powered chatbot that uses data from past drawings and mathematical models, such as the Delta method and Hot and Cold number analysis, to make strategic suggestions. Plus, Clover is trained with knowledge from different cultures, religions, disciplines, and superstitions around the world, so you can choose your numbers based on your preferences and beliefs.

Once you’ve selected your numbers, you’ll need to choose your bet type. You can play Straight (where you must match the numbers in the exact order they are drawn) or Box (where you can win by matching the numbers in any order). You also have options such as Pair Bets, Split Pair Bets and Wheel Bets.

Finally, select the drawing you wish to participate in. In Ohio, Pick 3 Lottery drawings are held twice a day, during the midday and evening sessions.

Ways to play Pick 3 Lottery

As mentioned above, the Pick 3 Ohio Lottery offers several betting options, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a breakdown of each strategy so you can choose the one that best suits your approach:

1. Straight

To win with a Straight bet, you must match all three numbers in the exact order they are drawn. For example, if you choose 4-7-2, you’ll only win if those numbers come up in that exact order. This option offers the highest payouts, but is more difficult to win.

2. Box

With a box bet, you can win if the three numbers match in any order. While the payout is lower than a Straight bet, this option is more flexible. There are two main types of box bets:

  • 6-Way Box: This is used when you select three different numbers. For example, with 3-9-5, you can win with any of the 6 possible combinations: 3-9-5, 3-5-9, 5-3-9, 5-9-3, 9-3-5, and 9-5-3.
  • 3-Way Box: This is when you select two identical numbers and one different number. For example, 4-2-1 has 3 possible winning combinations: 4-2-1, 4-1-2, and 2-4-1.

3. Back-Up Bet

This bet allows you to place an additional bet in case your chosen numbers don’t match up exactly. It’s a way to protect your investment and increase your chances of winning.

4. Pair Bets

You can bet that at least one pair of numbers you select will match. This option offers more chances to win, although the payouts may be smaller. You have two choices:

  • Front Pair: Bet on the exact order of the 1st and 2nd numbers (e.g. 3, 9, X).
  • Back Pair: Bet on the exact order of the 2nd and 3rd numbers (for example, X, 9, 5).

5. Split Pair

Similar to Pair Bets, but you split your numbers into two different pairs. For example, you would bet on the exact order of the 1st and 3rd numbers (e.g., 3-X-5).

6. Wheel Bet

This option lets you cover all possible combinations of your selected numbers, significantly increasing your chances of winning. For instance, with the combination 3-9-5 WHEELED, you would have the following combinations: 3-9-5, 3-5-9, 9-3-5, 9-5-3, 5-3-9, and 5-9-3. This option is available in Pick 3 wagers only.

Pick 3 prizes and odds

The Pick 3 Ohio Lottery offers different prizes depending on how and how much you bet. Here’s a breakdown of the prizes and odds for each betting option, according to the Ohio Lottery’s official website:

Wager TypeOdds50¢ Wager$1 Wager
Straight1 in 1,000Pay $250$500
6-Way Wheel 6 in 1,000Pay $250$500
3-Way Wheel3 in 1,000Pay $250$500
6-Way Box1 in 167Pay $41.50$83
3-Way Box1 in 333Pay $83.50$167
Back Pair1 in 100Pay $25$50
Front Pair1 in 100Pay $25$50
Split Pair1 in 100Pay $25$50
Ohio Pick 3 Lottery Base Odds and Prizes

Amount BetTotal Cost3-Way Back-Up6-Way Back-Up
50 ¢$1$333.50$291.50
$1$2$667$583
Pick 3 Straight Winners on a Back-Up Bet

When are the Pick 3 Lottery drawings?

In Ohio, Pick 3 Lottery drawings are held twice a day, seven days a week, giving you plenty of chances to win. The drawings take place at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except on Saturdays. On Saturdays, the evening drawings are during the Cash Explosion show, which airs from 7:45 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

If you want to participate, you can buy your Pick 3 Lottery tickets in Ohio until 12:25 p.m. for the Midday drawing and until 7:25 p.m. for the Evening drawing (except on Saturdays). On Saturday nights, ticket sales close at 7:45pm, just before the drawing starts.

How to claim your lottery prize in Ohio

Hit the jackpot with Pick 3? Congratulations! Now it’s important to know how to claim your prize. Remember, you must have the original winning ticket, which must be signed, in order to claim your prize.

Prizes up to $599: You can claim them at any Ohio Lottery retail location. You’ll receive your prize immediately in cash.

Prizes $600-$5,000: Take your ticket to any Ohio Lottery retailer for validation. Once validated, you’ll receive a Pay-to-Play receipt and a claim form to process your check. Alternatively, you can take the receipt and completed claim form to an authorized bank to receive your prize the same day.

Prizes over $5,000: For these amounts, you’ll need to take your ticket to an Ohio Lottery office for validation and check processing.

In Ohio you have up to 180 days from the drawing date to validate and claim your Pick 3 Lottery ticket. Don’t miss out – claim your prize in time to enjoy your winnings!

And if you were to win one of these Pick 3 prizes, would you share your success with family and friends like other winners? Before you make any decisions, check out our post on how to split your lottery winnings.

How do I know if I am a Pick 3 winner?

With Lottonia, you no longer have to worry about keeping track of Ohio Lottery drawings to see if you’ve won Pick 3. Lottonia does it for you. Right after the drawing, Lottonia will send you a notification via email or directly to your app profile with the results of the drawings you have entered. And if you’ve won a prize, Lottonia will notify you immediately so you don’t miss your chance to claim your winnings.

But if you prefer to check the results yourself, you can always check our updated post with the latest Ohio Lottery winning numbers.

Summing up…

These are the most important things to know about playing and winning the Pick 3 Lottery in Ohio.

  • Pick 3 is a lottery game that is drawn and won twice a day in Ohio.
  • Cost: $0.50 or $1.00 per play.
  • Top prize: $500.
  • Drawings: Twice a day, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m.

Ready to try your luck at Pick 3? Tell us about your experience in the comments below! And don’t forget to download the Lottonia App to enhance your lottery play. You can get Lottonia for free on Google Play and the App Store.

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