If you’re not sure about a particular aspect of how Pick 3 works in Maryland, take a look at these frequently asked questions. You can learn more about the various ways to play, the prizes you can win, and how to claim them.
There are two Pick 3 draws every day - Midday and Evening. The Midday drawing is at 12:27 p.m. and the Evening drawing at 7:56 p.m. On a Sunday, the drawings are broadcast later at around 8:22 - 8:30 p.m.
Ticket sales close approximately 15 minutes before each drawing, at 12:13 p.m. and 7:41 p.m.
You can play Pick 3 at any Maryland Lottery retailer. On your playslip, select three numbers from 0 to 9, choose your wager amount, bet type and the number of draws you will be entering. Go to the How to Play page for more details.
A Straight is when you bet on your three numbers being drawn in that exact order. A Box play is wagering on three numbers to appear in any order.
A 3-Way play has two identical numbers and a third that is different, such as 7-7-8. A 6-Way play has three unique numbers, such as 6-7-8. The term ‘Way’ refers to how many possible combinations there are for a particular set of numbers. There are different prizes and odds for 3-Way and 6-Way plays.
You can win up to $500 in Pick 3, which is available if you play a Straight and wager $1. The payouts on offer depend on your bet type and wager amount.
For most bet types, the options are $0.50 or $1. A Straight & Box play is fixed at a total cost of $1 ($0.50 on both parts of the bet.
The maximum you can win is 500x your wager for a Straight. If you bet $5, this makes the top prize $2,500. Each bet type has a fixed payout. Go to the Prizes page to see a full list.
Yes, there is an Advance Play option on your playslip that allows you to mark a day of the week when your ticket will start, other than the day you are playing.
No. You must match all three numbers to win a prize. Even if you get two in the exact order, you do not win a prize.
Unlike many other states, there is no Fireball option in the Maryland version of Pick 3.
You can claim any Pick 3 prize from a Maryland Lottery retailer. Alternatively, you can mail winning tickets to the Maryland Lottery Customer Resource Center, 1800 Washington Boulevard, Suite 330, Baltimore, MD 21230.
You have 182 days from the date of the winning draw to claim any prizes.
No, you don’t have to pay state or federal taxes on Pick 3 prizes in Maryland, as the payouts only go up to $500.
Lottery tickets in Maryland are bearer instruments, so you will not be able to claim a prize if you have lost a winning ticket. It is your responsibility to keep tickets safe, and any that that damaged sufficiently that they fail to meet validation tests will be deemed void. It is recommended that you sign the back of your tickets for protection. You can also contact the Maryland Lottery’s security division directly to get help with validating or cashing tickets if you believe you are eligible for a prize.