The Ohio Lottery Pick 3

What is “Play it Again”?

The “Play it Again” feature is part of most Ohio Lottery on-line games, including Pick 3, Pick 4, Rolling Cash 5, Classic Lotto, Ten-OH!, KENO and Mega Millions/ MEGAPLIER. A second barcode, printed on each ticket above the game logo, permits a retailer to scan the ticket with the 2D reader and duplicate the exact wager information for the next scheduled drawing.

Why was the “Play it Again” feature added?

“Play it Again” was added as a convenience for players because it eliminates the need for a new bet card. The feature also allows retailers to reproduce a customer's wager by eliminating the need to manually enter the numbers.

How does it work?

Once the added bar code at the top of a ticket is scanned by the 2D reader the terminal will print out the exact wager showing on that ticket. The terminal will show a confirmation screen before printing the wager so the customer can verify the cost of the new wager.

What does it cost?

There is no additional charge for “Play it Again”. The customer pays only the cost of the duplicated ticket.

How are Mega Millions and MEGAPLIER wagers affected?

A Mega Millions ticket generated by the "Play it Again" barcode will include the same numbers played for each board, the draw duration, and the total wager amount.

What about Pick 3 and Pick 4 tickets?

“Play it Again” will duplicate the bet type, while offering players a choice of changing the following items:

• Midday or evening draws
• The number of draws
• The days of the week

How does “Play it Again” work for the Bundle Play package?

The “Play it Again” feature will work only with the specific game ticket presented to a retailer.  It will function just like it does for most online game tickets.  A second barcode, printed on each ticket above the game logo, permits a retailer to scan the ticket with the 2D reader and duplicate the exact wager information for the next scheduled drawing.

How does “Play It Again” work on Bundle Play tickets?

Once the added bar code at the top of any Bundle Play ticket is scanned by the 2D reader the terminal will print out the exact wager showing on that ticket.  Using “Play It Again” on a Bundle Play ticket will only reproduce that game wager.  The entire Bundle Play package will not be duplicated.

If the ticket has the “Play it Again” barcode, can it be read regardless if it’s a winning, non-winning or expired ticket?

Yes. The “Play it Again” barcode located at the top of the ticket will read just like a bet card and duplicate the wager regardless of the status of the ticket.

Where can I play Pick 3?

Pick 3 can be played at any Ohio Lottery retailer location or self-service terminal.

When can I play Pick 3?

You can play Pick 3 during normal gaming system hours. Pick 3 is drawn twice daily at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except for Saturday evenings when the drawing is held during the Cash Explosion Game Show which begins at 7:30 p.m.

Please explain a straight bet on Pick 3?

Straight bets consist of three (3) numbers. To win, players must match the three numbers they bet, exactly from left to right, to the numbers drawn by the Ohio Lottery in the Pick 3 drawing. There is only one way to win on a straight wager.

Example – if a player selects the numbers 1-2-3 for their wager and the numbers selected by the Ohio Lottery are 1-2-3, the player has a straight match and wins.

What is a back-up bet?

You can play Pick 3 numbers as a “back-up” bet. This simply means that you are backing up your straight bet combination with a box bet. Therefore, if your straight bet wins, you win both the straight amount and the boxed amount. If your numbers do not come up straight, but a combination of your numbers wagered are drawn, you win only the boxed amount.

What are the differences between the box bets such as 3-way box, and the 6-way box?

A boxed bet is a winner if any combination of the numbers you bet is selected during the drawing. The term “3-way” and “6-way” refer to the number of combinations that are possible for a certain bet. If your Pick 3 bet consists of 3 unique digits, such as 1-2-3, there are 6 different winning combinations possible (1-2-3; 1-3-2; 2-1-3; 2-3-1; 3-1-2; and 3-2-1). This is a 6-way box. A Pick 3 number that has 2 like numbers, such as 1-1-2, only has 3 possible winning combinations--1-1-2; 1-2-1; and 2-1-1. This is a 3-way box bet. You win more money for 3-way box bets because there is a lower probability of winning with only three possible combinations.

What is a wheel wager and why does it cost and pay more than a boxed bet?

To “wheel” a bet is to play every combination of a Pick 3 number in a straight bet. The player must then pay for a straight bet on all 6 combinations of the number. If any combination of that number comes up, the player wins the straight amount of $250 for a $.50 bet or $500 for a $1 bet. For example, to play the numbers 1-2-3 in a wheel means that you are placing 6 straight bets on the numbers: 1-2-3; 2-1-3; 3-1-2; 1-3-2; 3-2-1 and 2-3-1. At $.50 per bet, playing 1-2-3 “wheel” costs $3 ($.50 X 6 bets).

On the other hand, in a boxed bet the amount wagered is divided across all combinations of the number, reducing your wager per number and therefore the payout when you win.

Please explain pairs betting?

Pairs betting means you are wagering that the first two numbers or last two number drawn match exactly, left to right, the first two numbers or last two numbers selected by the Lottery in the drawing.

If a player bet 1-2-3 as a front pair and the numbers drawn are 1-2-6, the player wins. If a player wagered 1-2-3 and the numbers selected in the drawing were 5-2-3, the player wins on a Back Pair bet. Players can also wager the first and last number of a combination. If 1-2-3 is bet as a split pair, and the numbers selected are 1-9-3, the player still wins on a split pair wager.

Can I cancel a Pick 3 wager?

Yes. Pick 3 wagers can be cancelled prior to the drawing. For example, if you purchase an EVENING drawing ticket, it must be cancelled prior to the scheduled EVENING drawing for which it was purchased.