North Carolina (NC) Pick 3 Lottery Results & Winning Numbers

How to Play North Carolina Pick 3

Playing Carolina Pick 3 is incredibly easy — you only need to pick three numbers. You can select up to five sets of numbers on every ticket you make, and there are several ways you can go about this. 

Picking the Numbers

You start the game by picking any three numbers from 0 to 9. You can do it yourself, or you can use the Quick Pick feature that randomly selects them for you. 

Once you do this, you can select one of the several ways to play:

• Exact — To win, you need to match the winning numbers in the order they are drawn.
• Any Order — Your numbers need to match the winning numbers, but the order in which they are drawn is irrelevant. 
• 50/50 — This is a mix of the previous two methods. You can win when the numbers are drawn in any order, but you will also win two prizes if they match the order drawn precisely. 
• Combo — This game generates an Exact play for all of your combinations on the slip.
• Pairs — Choose two numbers and specify their location. You can use the Front Pair (first two columns) or Back Pair (last two columns) play. The pair must match the order drawn for you to win. 
• 1-OFF — In this play, you win even if you’re off by one number. In other words, if you pick, let’s say, 6, you can win even if the number drawn is 5 or 7.
• Sum + It + Up — This unique play pays out if you match the sum of the numbers drawn. The numbers you choose and the numbers drawn are irrelevant — if you match the sum, you win. 

Buying Tickets

You can buy a ticket either for $0.50 or $1.00. 50/50 lottery games always cost $1.00, while the cost of combo plays varies depending on how many combinations you're playing and the numbers you've selected.

As the numbers are drawn two times a day, you can participate in either or both of them.

Usually, when you buy a ticket you’ll play the next scheduled draw. However, you can also select Multidraw or Advance play, which changes things a bit:

• Multidraw — Play up to seven consecutive day and/or evening draws.
• Advance Play — Play in a specific future draw of your choice apart from the current day.

If you’ve made a mistake or simply want to exit the draw, you can cancel your ticket anytime before the deadline. 

Playing Carolina Pick 3 — Quick Checklist

1. Pick three numbers from 0 to 9.
2. Select $0.50 or $1.00 play. 
3. Choose your play type.
4. Pick the day draw, evening draw, or both.
5. Choose the number of days you want to play for. 
6. Add a Sum + It + Up play if you want to for an additional $0.50 or $1.00 per panel.
7. Play the slip. 

North Carolina Pick 3 Drawing Schedule

North Carolina lottery draws take place two times a day: Similarly to NC Pick 4

• Day Draw — around 3 pm
• Evening Draw — around 11:22 pm

You can follow the draws online at WRAL.com or on one of these TV stations:

• WRAL Raleigh (Channel 5)
• WITN Greenville, New Bern & Washington (Channel 7)
• WGHP Winston-Salem, Greensboro & High Point (Channel 8)
• WLOS Asheville (Channel 13)
• WAXN Charlotte (Channel 64)

Carolina Pick 3 Payouts, Odds, and Rules

Since you get to play Pick 3 in a range of ways, it should come as no surprise that there are many different odds and payouts. We’ll cover all variants in the tables below. Same rules can be found in South Carolina Pick 3.

As for the rules, there aren’t many! You just need to pick three numbers, choose the amount you want to spend, select the play type, the drawing time, and how many times you want to play, and that’s it.  

Pick 3 Play Types, Prizes, and Odds

Sum + It + Up Prizes and Odds

How to Claim Carolina Pick 3 Prizes

There’s no reason to worry about getting hold of your prize, as you can claim in several ways. 

You can pick up your winnings at retailers (for $599 or less), regional claims centers, NCEL headquarters, and even by mail. 

As for online prizes, it’s even easier!. All prizes under $600 are paid automatically to your NC Education Lottery account. If you are lucky enough to win more than $600, you’ll have to claim the prize via the official NC Education Lottery site. 

Bear in mind that the NC Education Lottery might ask you to provide some additional personal information, or may require you to visit a designated claims center in person.

Carolina Pick 3 Biggest Winners

As Pick 3 offers up to $500 in prizes per play, or as much as $1,000 if you combine it with a Sum+It+Up play, big wins don't happen unless someone wins on several tickets. In most cases, several dozen people win the $500 prize every day.

Carolina Pick 3 History and Facts

• The Carolina Pick 3 lottery began operating on October 6, 2006. 
• Before February 27, 2011, there was only a single draw every Sunday. 

You can win the Pick 3 Sum + It + Up prize with the 0-0-0 or 9-9-9 combination for $1.00.

Other North Carolina Lotteries

Besides Pick 3, the NC Education Lottery offers several other lottery games, including Powerball, Mega Millions, Lucky for Life, Cash 5, and Pick 4.

Carolina Pick 3 FAQs

How do you win Carolina Pick 3?

You can win Pick 3 in several ways. You can choose different types of play, including Exact, Any Order, 50/50, Combo, Pair, 1-OFF, and Sum+It+Up.

When is the Carolina Pick 3 draw?

The Pick 3 draw is twice a day — at around 3 pm and approximately 11:22 pm. 

How late can you buy Carolina Pick 3 tickets?

You need to buy your ticket by 2:45 pm for the daytime draw and by 10:59 pm for the evening draw. 

How much tax do you pay on North Carolina lottery winnings?

You need to pay a 5.50% state tax and 25% federal tax on lottery winnings in North Carolina. Here’s a Lottery Tax Calculator to help you determine your estimated taxes depending on your prize.

Other United States Lotteries