The DC Lottery 3 digit night drawing occurs every evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time. This game, also known as Pick 3 or Numbers, involves choosing a 3 digit number from 000 to 999. Players can choose to play the straight, boxed, combo, or straight/box and combo/straight wagers. The DC Lottery began operations in 1982 and holds two 3 digit drawings daily, including the nightly 9 PM drawing. The 3 digit game remains one of the most popular DC Lottery offerings.
Game Overview
The DC 3 digit night drawing requires players to choose a 3 digit number, ranging from 000 to 999. There are several different bet types:
- Straight – Choose the exact order of the 3 digits
- Boxed – Choose the 3 digits in any order
- Combo – Choose groups of numbers in different orders
- Straight/Box – Play both straight and boxed bets on the same numbers
- Combo/Straight – Play combo and straight bets together
Payouts vary based on the difficulty of hitting each type of bet. Straight bets pay out at 500 to 1, while 3 digit boxed bets pay out at 150 to 1 since there are six possible combinations. Combo bets have payouts starting at 75 to 1. Players can wager from $.50 to $5 on each bet. Drawings are held every evening at 9 PM Eastern.
How to Play
Here are the steps to play the DC 3 digit night drawing:
- Select a 3 digit number from 000 to 999 or choose the Quick Pick option for randomly generated numbers
- Choose a bet type – straight, boxed, combo, straight/box, or combo/straight
- Select the amount to wager on each bet – between $.50 and $5
- Submit the bet slip at an authorized DC Lottery retailer before the 9 PM deadline
- Tune in to watch the drawing at 9 PM Eastern or check results after
- Winning numbers are drawn using a mechanical ball drawing system
- Match all digits and positions in the exact order to win a straight bet
- Match all digits in any order to win a boxed or combo bet
Players can buy tickets at any Washington, DC lottery retailer up until 8:45 PM on the night of the drawing. Tickets can also be purchased online at dclottery.com until 9 PM.
Odds and Prizes
The odds of winning any prize in the DC 3 digit game are 1 in 1000. Here are the payouts for each bet type:
- Straight Bet – 500 to 1
- 3 Digit Boxed Bet – 150 to 1
- 6 Way Combo Bet – 75 to 1
- 3 Way Combo Bet – 250 to 1
- Front Pair Combo Bet – 75 to 1
Payouts are reduced if there are multiple winners for any bet type. For example, a straight bet will pay $2500 on a $5 wager if there is just one winner. If there are 10 winners, the payout drops to $250 each.
Winning Number Frequency
Although every possible 3 digit number has an equal probability of being drawn, some numbers are selected more frequently over the long run. Based on statistics for the DC 3 digit night drawing:
- The most common straight winning number is 745
- The most common boxed winning number is 012
- The digits 0, 8, 3, 7, and 9 are the most frequently drawn
- The digits 4, 2, and 6 are the least frequently drawn
Some players use these hot and cold number patterns to guide their number selections, although every possible number still has an equal mathematical chance in each drawing.
Where to Play
The DC 3 digit night drawing can be played at any of these locations:
- Authorized DC Lottery retailers in Washington, DC
- Maryland Lottery retailers near the DC border
- Virginia Lottery retailers near the DC border
- Online at dclottery.com (Must be located in Washington, DC)
- The DC Lottery app (Must be located in Washington, DC)
Retailers include grocery stores, gas stations, liquor stores, restaurants, pharmacies and convenience stores. Players must be physically located within the District of Columbia at the time of purchase, whether buying online, through the app, or at a retailer. Ticket sales cut off at 9 PM on the night of the drawing.
Claiming Prizes
For prizes up to $600, winners can cash in their tickets at any DC Lottery retailer. Jackpots over $600 must be claimed at the DC Lottery headquarters located at 2235 Shannon Place SE, Washington, DC 20020. The claimant will need to complete a lottery claim form and provide valid photo ID and their Social Security number. Prizes over $5,000 also require completion of a federal IRS form.
Unclaimed Prizes
For any drawings where there is no 3 digit ticket that matches all the numbers drawn, the jackpot rolls over into the next drawing’s Straight bet prize pool. One unique feature of the DC 3 digit game is that box bet prizes also rollover if there are no tickets that match the Drawn numbers in any order. This creates bigger jackpots for future drawings.
Conclusion
In summary, the DC Lottery holds a 3 digit night drawing every day at 9 PM Eastern Time. To play, residents must be located within Washington, DC and choose 3 digits from 000 to 999 along with a bet type like straight, boxed, or combo. Tickets can be purchased at DC Lottery retailers or online until 9 PM. Prizes range from $250 to $2,500 based on the difficulty of the bet and number of winners. With rolling jackpots and favorable odds, the DC 3 digit night drawing remains a popular lottery game for local residents. Be sure to get your tickets before 9 PM and tune in to find out if you matched all the numbers in the exact order to win a big Straight bet prize!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about the DC 3 digit night drawing:
What time is the drawing held?
The DC Lottery holds the 3 digit night drawing at 9 PM Eastern Time every evening.
What are the different bet types?
Players can choose to play in straight, boxed, combo, straight/box, or combo/straight bet types when picking numbers. Each has different payouts.
How much does it cost to play?
Tickets can be purchased for as little as $.50 per bet. The maximum wager is $5 per bet.
What is a straight bet?
A straight bet is when you pick the exact numbers drawn in the exact order. Odds are 500 to 1.
What is a boxed bet?
A boxed bet matches the 3 digits picked in any order. A $.50 box bet has odds of 150 to 1.
Where can I buy tickets?
Tickets can be purchased online, through the DC Lottery app, or at authorized retailers in DC, Maryland, and Virginia until 9 PM.
How old do I need to be to play?
Players must be at least 18 years old to purchase DC Lottery tickets.
What happens if no one wins the jackpot?
The jackpot will continue rolling over into the next drawing for the Straight and Box bet prize pools.
What are the most common numbers drawn?
745 is the most frequently occurring Straight number. 012 is the most common Boxed number.
What time do sales close each day?
Ticket sales end at 9 PM Eastern Time on the night of each drawing. All tickets must be purchased by 8:59 PM to be eligible.
Strategies for Winning
Although the 3 digit game is purely a game of chance, some players use these strategies to increase their odds:
- Play the hottest numbers that get drawn most often, based on statistics
- Avoid cold numbers that rarely come up as winners
- Play more boxed bets since they have better odds than straight bets
- Focus bets on digits that appear frequently like 0, 8, 3, 7, and 9
- Use key dates or numbers that are meaningful to you
- Start tracking previous winning numbers to identify patterns
- Buy multiple tickets with a variety of numbers to increase coverage
While these tips may seem helpful, every number still has an equal random probability of being chosen. More number combinations improves overall odds. In the end, the digits drawn each night are determined entirely by chance.
How to Get Help
For frequently asked questions or assistance with playing the game, the DC Lottery has several customer support options:
- Call the Lottery customer support hotline at (202) 645-8000
- Email questions to [email protected]
- Visit the Lottery headquarters at 2235 Shannon Place SE, DC 20020
- Refer to frequent questions on the DC Lottery website
- Live online chat is available at dclottery.com
The lottery website also has an extensive Frequently Asked Questions section with more details on game rules, claiming prizes, unclaimed jackpots, location requirements, and history of the game in DC. Customer service agents are also available 24/7 for any game-related questions.
History of the Game
The DC 3 digit night drawing has been running continuously since the DC Lottery began in 1982. Here is a brief history:
- 1982 – DC Lottery launches with daily 3 digit drawing
- 1987 – 4 digit game introduced in addition to 3 digit
- 1990 – Keno added to lottery game portfolio
- 2000 – Powerball joins DC Lottery offerings
- 2009 – Lottery launches first scratch game after law change
- 2013 – Mega Millions replaces The Big Game
- 2017 – DC Lottery mobile app launches
- 2021 – DC Lottery joins Cash4Life interstate game
While new games have been added over the past 40 years, the 3 digit drawing has remained a constant favorite for DC residents. The 9 PM nightly drawing is the longest running daily draw game operated by the Lottery.
Benefitting the District
The DC Lottery is unlike most states in that its profits directly support residents rather than funding education or other state programs. By law, the lottery can only be used for the benefit of citizens of the District of Columbia. Surplus funds have supported these programs:
- Healthcare programs
- Homelessness initiatives
- School resources
- Early childhood education
- Job training
- Public safety
- Infrastructure
- Tax relief
- General revenue
In fiscal year 2022, the DC Lottery generated over $160 million in revenue supporting District beneficiaries. Playing the 3 digit game helps support many worthy causes improving life for DC residents.
Playing Responsibly
While playing the lottery is fun entertainment when done responsibly, the DC Lottery encourages players to play within their means:
- Set a budget for lottery expenditures and do not exceed it
- Only use discretionary income for playing, not rent or grocery money
- Those under 18 years old cannot play
- Consider playing with others to pool money and share winnings
- Learn the odds of different games to make informed decisions
- Don’t chase losses – the odds don’t change based on previous draws
- Take breaks for perspective and limit play if becoming less recreational
- Use lottery games for entertainment, not for income replacement
If gambling becomes less fun over time, consider taking a break or discussing healthy play habits with your lottery retailer. The DC Lottery wants players to enjoy lottery games responsibly as intended.
Conclusion
The DC 3 digit night drawing takes place every evening at 9 PM Eastern Time. Pick any 3 digit number from 000 to 999 and select a bet type like straight, boxed, or combo. Tickets can be purchased for as low as $.50 up until 9 PM on the night of the draw. Match all digits and positions to win jackpots up to $2,500 on straight bets. Prizes benefit worthy causes across Washington, DC. Play the iconic DC Lottery game nightly and check winning numbers after 9 PM to see if you matched all 3 digits in the exact order or any order. Good luck!
