Iowa Pick 3 is a twice-daily game which gives you the chance to play for prizes of up to $3,000. You can decide how to play and even how much to wager.
Midday drawings take place at 12:20 PM CT, with evening drawings at 10:00 PM CT. Get a step-by-step guide to playing on this page, as well as all the odds and payouts for each play type.
The following table shows all the different play types available in Iowa, the odds for each one, and the associated payout (depending on your wager amount).
| Play Type | Example | 50¢ Play Payout | $1 Play Payout | Odds of Winning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Match in exact order | ||||
| Straight | 123 | $300 | $600 | 1 in 1,000 |
| Box Match in any order | ||||
| 3-Way (2 like digits) | 112 | $100 | $200 | 1 in 333.33 |
| 6-Way (3 different digits) | 123 | $50 | $100 | 1 in 166.67 |
| Straight/Box Match in exact OR any order. Cost: $1 | Box Payout | Straight Payout | Total Odds | |
| 3-Way | 112 | $100 | $400 | 1 in 333.33 |
| 6-Way | 123 | $50 | $350 | 1 in 166.67 |
| Pairs Match first two or last two in exact order | ||||
| Front Pair | 12X | $30 | $60 | 1 in 100 |
| Back Pair | X23 | $30 | $60 | 1 in 100 |
Decide on your type of play - Straight, Box, Straight/Box, Front Pair or Back Pair. See the Play Types section for more information.
Select a three-digit number from 000 through 999. Choose your own numbers or get an Easy Pick if you would prefer a random set.
Pick 3 allows you to wager from a minimum of $0.50 per play, up to a maximum of $5. The more you bet, the more you can win.
Decide whether to play the Midday draw, the Evening draw, or both. You can play up to 16 consecutive drawings at a time.
Straight - Match all three numbers in the order they are drawn.
Box - Match all three numbers in any order.
Straight/Box - Match the numbers either exactly or in any order.
Pairs - Match the first two numbers in the order they are drawn, or match the last two numbers in the order they are drawn.
Ticket sales cut off 20 minutes before each drawing, so they close at noon for Midday drawings and 9:40 PM CT for Evening drawings.
You have to be at least 21 to play Pick 3, or any other lottery game, in Iowa.
Pick 3 prizes must be claimed within 90 days of the relevant draw date.
