Cash 3
Cash 3 is a lottery draw game that can put up to $500 cash in your pocket today. With multiple play types, there are many ways to win. You also have a choice of a $0.50 or $1.00 wager, with a $1.00 play can win up to $500 and a $0.50 play is eligible for a top prize of up to $250.
How to Play Cash 3
To play Cash 3, choose three numbers from 0 through 9 (for example, 000, 999 or any combination in between, like 123). Mark one number in each column of the playslip. You can play up to five times per playslip - each play area is lettered A, B, C, D and E.
You can also select the Quick Pick box on your playslip and the computer will randomly choose the numbers for you.
Play your numbers for multiple draws in a row (Multi-Draw) by marking the number of draws you want to play. You may also opt to play on a future day (Advance Play) by marking the day of the week or the number of days you wish to play.
Cash 3 Game Play Styles
Cash 3 offers multiple play styles for different ways to win.
For the Straight and Box play types, you have a choice of wager amounts: $0.50 or $1.00.
- Straight (Exact Match): Match the winning numbers in the order drawn.
- Box (Any Order): Match the winning numbers in any order.
Box can be either 3-Way, if you choose a number with two digits the same (e.g. 122), or 6-Way, if you choose a number with unique digits (e.g. 123).
The prize amount is higher for 3-Way Box because it has only three combinations and is harder to win, whereas 6-Way Box has six combinations you can win on.
For a $1.00 wager, you can also play Straight / Box:
- Straight / Box (Exact Match OR Any Order): A $0.50 play for Straight plus a $0.50 play for Box.
Combo plays are available for a higher cost because there are more ways to win:
- Combo: Equal to either three or six Straight plays.
With 3-Way Combo ($3.00), your digits can be matched in any order, but two of them must be the same, giving three ways to win (e.g. if you choose 122, you can win on 122, 212 or 221).
In 6-Way Combo ($6.00), your digits can be matched in any order, and they must all be unique, giving 6 ways to win (e.g. if you choose 123, you can win on 123, 132, 213, 231, 312 or 321).
Differences Between Straight and Box
To win with a Cash 3 Straight play, your numbers must match the numbers drawn in the exact order. For example, if you choose 123, you will win if the numbers drawn are 123, in that order.
To win with a Cash 3 Box play, your selected numbers can win by matching the numbers drawn in any order.
If you choose a number with two digits the same, like 122, you're automatically playing 3-Way Box because there are three winning combinations: 122, 121, or 221.
If you choose a number with all unique digits, like 123, you're automatically playing 6-Way Box because there are six winning combinations: 123, 132, 213, , 231, 312, or 321.
Differences Between Box and Combo
With Box, you win when your numbers match the numbers drawn in any order, as explained above.
With Combo, you are buying every possible Straight combination. Combo tickets cost more because there are more ways to win, and the prize amounts are as high as Straight prizes. The top prize is $500.
A 3-Way Combo costs $3.00 because it is equivalent to buying three Straight plays. It's every combination of a number with two digits the same. For example, if you chose 122, you can win three ways, on 122, 121, or 221.
A 6-Way Combo costs $6.00 because it is the same as buying six Straight plays. It's every combination of a number with three unique digits. For example, if you chose 123, you can win six ways, on 123, 132, 213, 231, 312 or 321.
3-Way and 6-Way Winning Examples
A 3-Way Box or Combo play is a three-digit number with two of the same digits. This gives you three winning combinations.
A 6-Way Box or Combo play is a three-digit number with unique digits. It produces six winning combinations.
Below are some examples:
| Numbers Chosen Determine Ways to Win | Example | Example Winning Combinations |
|---|---|---|
| 3-Way 3-digit number with 2 of the same digits = 3 ways to win. |
112 | 112, 121, 211 |
| 6-Way 3-digit number with all unique digits = 6 ways to win |
123 | 123,132,213,231,312,321 |
Cash 3 Prizes and Odds of Winning
How much can you win playing Cash 3? These are the top prizes you could win with each play style:
- $1 Straight play: win up to $500
- $1 Box play: win up to $160
- Straight/Box play: win up to $330
- Combo: win up to $500
Here's what you can win for each play style and wager amount, plus the odds of winning.
Please note: this is a general guide and details may vary by state.
| Play Type | Example | Prizes | Odds of Winning | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STRAIGHT Match in exact order | 50ยข Play | $1 Play | ||
| 123 | $250 | $500 | 1 in 1,000 | |
| BOX Match in any order | 50 Cent Play | $1 Play | ||
| 3-Way | 112 | $80 | $160 | 1 in 333.33 |
| 6-Way | 123 | $40 | $80 | 1 in 166.67 |
| STRAIGHT/BOX Match in exact OR any order. Cost: $1 | BOX | STRAIGHT* | ||
| 3-Way | 112 | $80 | $330 | 1 in 1,000 & 1 in 333.33 |
| 6-Way | 123 | $40 | $290 | 1 in 1,000 & 1 in 166.67 |
| COMBO All Straight combinations of a 3-digit number. Cost: $1.50 to $6 depending on numbers chosen. | $250 | $500 | ||
| 3-Way | 112 | $1.50 Play | $3 Play | 1 in 333.33 |
| 6-Way | 123 | $3 Play | $6 Play | 1 in 166.67 |
| *Combined Straight and Box payouts. | ||||
Where to Play Cash 3
The Cash 3 game is offered by the Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee Lotteries. There are, however, a lot more states which offer a similar game but under a slightly different name like Pick 3, Play 3 or Daily 3. Use the table below to locate details about the game in each state.