In Carolina Pick 3, the odds and payouts are directly linked to how you play and the amount you spend on a wager. The top prize is $500, if you submit a $1 Exact play and match all the numbers in order.
The following table shows the prize amounts you can win for each play type, along with the odds of winning. Refer back to the How to Play page to learn more about the differences between each play type.
| Play Type | Odds | Prize Payout ($0.50 Play) | Prize Payout ($1 Play |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exact | 1 in 1,000 | $250 | $500 |
| Any Order - 3-Way | 1 in 333 | $80 | $160 |
| Any Order - 6-Way | 1 in 167 | $40 | $80 |
| 50/50 - 3-Way | 1 in 1,000/1 in 333 | N/A | $330 for Exact/Any Order, $80 for Any Order |
| 50/50 - 6-Way | 1 in 1,000/1 in 167 | N/A | $290 for Exact/Any Order, $40 for Any Order |
| Combinations - 3-Way | 1 in 333 | $250 | $500 |
| Combinations - 6-Way | 1 in 167 | $250 | $500 |
| Front Pair | 1 in 100 | $25 | $50 |
| Back Pair | 1 in 100 | $25 | $50 |
Adding the Fireball gives you more ways to win. The prizes are reduced, but the odds are far better and you can even achieve multiple wins on the same play. See the Fireball page for more information, or check the tables below to find out how much you can win.
Depending on the combination of numbers you pick, you might be able to make numerous winning combinations with the help of the Fireball.
| Play Type | Wins | Odds of Winning | Prize Payout ($1 Play) | Prize Payout ($2 Play) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 different numbers | 1 Win | 1 in 333 | $90 | $180 |
| 2 like numbers | 2 Wins | 1 in 10,000 | $180 | $360 |
| 1 Win | 1 in 357 | $90 | $180 | |
| 3 identical numbers | 3 Wins | 1 in 10,000 | $270 | $540 |
| 1 Win | 1 in 370 | $90 | $180 |
An Any Order play gives you a better chance of winning in the base game, and the Fireball option means you can pick up prizes even if all three of your numbers aren’t drawn at first.
| Play Type | Wins | Odds of Winning | Prize Payout ($1 Play) | Prize Payout ($2 Play) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Way - 2 like numbers | 3 Wins | 1 in 10,000 | $90 | $180 |
| 2 Wins | 1 in 1,667 | $60 | $120 | |
| 1 Win | 1 in 133 | $30 | $60 | |
| 6-Way - 3 different numbers | 2 Wins | 1 in 556 | $30 | $60 |
| 1 Win | 1 in 69 | $15 | $30 |
With a 50/50 play, the Fireball can help you get Exact wins and/or Any Order wins. The table below outlines how:
| Play Type | Wins (Any Order) | Wins (Exact) | Odds of Winning | Prize Payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Way - 2 like numbers | 2 Wins | 2 Wins | 1 in 10,000 | $240 |
| 3 Wins | 1 Win | 1 in 10,000 | $180 | |
| 2 Wins | 1 Win | 1 in 5,000 | $150 | |
| 2 Wins | 0 Wins | 1 in 3,333 | $60 | |
| 1 Win | 1 Win | 1 in 400 | $120 | |
| 1 Win | 0 Wins | 1 in 200 | $30 | |
| 6-Way – 3 different numbers | 2 Wins | 1 Win | 1 in 1,667 | $120 |
| 1 Win | 1 Win | 1 in 417 | $105 | |
| 2 Wins | 0 Wins | 1 in 883 | $30 | |
| 1 Win | 0 Wins | 1 in 83 | $15 |
A Combo offers both good odds and great prizes, but you have to pay for each individual combination of numbers. If you add Fireball, the cost is also doubled.
| Play Type | Wins | Odds of Winning | Prize Payout ($1 Play) | Prize Payout ($2 Play) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Way - 2 like numbers | 3 Wins | 1 in 10,000 | $270 | $360 |
| 2 Wins | 1 in 10,000 | $180 | $360 | |
| 1 Win | 1 in 5,000 | $90 | $180 | |
| 6-Way - 3 different numbers | 2 Wins | 1 in 1,667 | $180 | $360 |
| 1 Win | 1 in 417 | $90 | $180 |
Whether you play a Front Pair or a Back Pair, you can pick up Fireball prizes separately or alongside the base game. The table below shows how much you can win.
| Play Type | Wins | Odds of Winning | Prize Payout ($1 Play) | Prize Payout ($2 Play) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 identical numbers | 3 Wins | 1 in 1,000 | $27 | $54 |
| 1 Win | 1 in 37 | $9 | $18 | |
| 2 different numbers | 2 Wins | 1 in 500 | $18 | $36 |
| 1 Win | 1 in 38 | $9 | $18 |
All prize amounts in Pick 3 are fixed, but the North Carolina Lottery does have a pre-determined limit for the maximum that can be paid out across all play types. If ticket sales for a particular number are so high that this limit would be reached is those numbers were drawn, then no further wagers will be taken for that three-digit combination.
You have four options for claiming if you win a Pick 3 prize in North Carolina. The easiest way to collect your money is to visit a lottery retailer. Alternatively, you can visit one of the regional claim centers, or go to the NC Lottery headquarters in Raleigh. The final option is to claim by mail – you just need to send your winning ticket to NC Lottery, PO Box 41606, Raleigh, NC 27629-1606.