Pick 3 Lottery Strategy – Ultimate Guide for 2025

Pick three lottery games can be much easier with the right planning and strategies. With Pick 3 strategies, you can have a more enjoyable time in the lottery and find combinations for your favorite games. These strategies will help you make intelligent decisions and eliminate guesswork when choosing your lottery numbers.

As there are different patterns and types of bets, there is a wide range of Pick 3 lottery strategies that determine which numbers to choose. To help you, Lottery ’n Go identified the most popular and tested types of strategies to apply when playing the lottery. Take notes, understand how the methods work, and put them to the test.

Important Note No matter if you decide to play with the Pick 3 strategy or not, make sure you play with one of our recommended lottery sites:

How Does a Pick 3 Strategy Work in the Lottery?

Every Pick 3 strategy provides a different way of how to win the lottery when playing that kind of game. But they all help you identify the best three numbers for your pick 3 game by employing lottery math, previous results, and data connected to recent draws. It is an alternative to choosing the Quick Pick – where the computer selects your numbers– or manually choosing random numbers.

Here are a few reasons to use Pick 3 strategies

Pick 3 Lotto Strategies

Now, let’s delve into the different Pick 3 lottery strategies. Before committing to any strategy, we recommend testing it to see if it works for your favorite games. Take time to absorb them and put them to the test using previous draws. By identifying the most effective strategy and mastering it, you will be able to pick your numbers easier.

Here are some popular Pick 3 lotto strategies.

Automatic Tools

Computer software can help you pick the best lottery numbers. You can get full and free access to countless useful lottery tools. They can be quite useful when applied to certain strategies, including Pick 3 games.

Some of the best lottery software built specifically for Pick 3 games is Pick3Sniper.

It analyzes the history of drawings using advanced statistics, reducing the total possibilities, thus increasing the player’s odds. Among its benefits, we should highlight their Triple-A advantages:

While the strategies below use simple math, most players can benefit from online tools that help generate good predictions. They are great for people who want to skip the manual work and generate lottery combinations on the go.

Rundown Pick 3 Strategy

It’s quick to implement a rundown strategy, and they’re quite straightforward. Either with a piece of paper or on a digital document, reduce your possibilities and figure out the next draw numbers. Some possible rundown techniques are:

111 Strategy: the +1 Rundown

In this strategy, we will add ‘1’ to the last winning numbers until we go a full cycle and reach the same numbers again. Follow these steps to use the +1 Rundown:

1. Search for the last winning numbers and write them down.
2. Add “1” to each one of the three numbers. For example, “172” becomes “283”.
3. Do it again and keep repeating, implementing lottery science until you reach the original numbers. Therefore, “283” turns into “392”, “403”, “514”, and so on until it is “172” again.
4. Play any numbers that appear between the two sets of original numbers.
5. If you prefer, pick the number with more hot or cold numbers according to previous draws.

123 Rundown

Here, we add ‘123’ to the winning numbers until we arrive back at the original numbers. Follow these steps to use the 123 Rundown:

1. Write “123” on a piece of paper.
2. Get the Pick 3 winning numbers for the game.
3. Add “123” to the draw number, respectively, implementing lottery science where necessary.
4. Stop as soon as the original numbers appear again.
5. Calculate the Lottery Date Number, as explained in the glossary below, using the draw date.
6. Underline all combinations that feature the result of the Lottery Date Number.

The 317 Rundown

In this type of rundown, we add ‘317’ to each number until we arrive back at the starting point. This is how easy it is to do the 317 Rundown:

1. Start by writing “317”, similar to the 123 Rundown processes.
2. This time, add “317” from the draw number until reaching it again.
3. Calculate the Lottery Date Number or use the hot/cold number strategy.
4. Play the selected combination.

238 Rundown

This method is a little different from other rundown methods above. Here, we subtract ‘238’ from the original winning numbers:

1. Collect the draw number as with the 111 Rundown strategy for Pick 3.
2. Subtract “238” from each number, respectively. For example, 529 – 238 = 311, using Lottery Science.
3. Play that resulting number if the strategy seems to work for that specific Pick 3 game.

+1/-1 Rundown

This rundown method also has a unique approach. Here, we will start by adding and subtracting one to each digit in four steps, in two different ways. This description will guide you through the process:

1. Once more, get the last draw number.
2. Add 1 to each number a total of 4 times.
3. Write down the last draw number again, but this time subtract 1 from all of them, 4 times.
4. Take the last row of each written sequence of numbers. Put them in the following vertical order:
   ⟫ Original draw number
   ⟫ +1 last row
   ⟫ -1 last row
5. Use those numbers to play, or alternatively, use their mirror numbers (see below).

Tic-Tac-Toe Pick 3 Strategy

Tic-Tac-Toe strategies may be used differently, but the Tic-Tac-Toe with mirror numbers and the one with hot numbers are more popular among lottery players. Keep in mind to use the following template when writing down the numbers:

Tic-Tac-Toe With Mirror Numbers

This method combines the winning numbers and mirror numbers in different arrangements to provide various lottery combinations. Follow these steps to use this method.

1. Write down the winning numbers of the last three Pick 3 draws.
2. Get their mirror numbers – simply add 5 using Lottery Science.
3. Put down the mirrored numbers horizontally on the Tic-Tac-Toe template. For example, the winning numbers “392”, “274”, and “958” would become “847”, “729”, and “403”, respectively:
4. Collect all combinations horizontally, vertically down, and the diagonal numbers. Namely:
   ⟫ 329, 274, 958
   ⟫ 329, 975, 248
   ⟫ 378, 972
5. Those are the numbers that should be played according to this Pick 3 strategy.
6. Alternatively, apply the 317 Rundown strategy on those numbers and see if any of them tend to occur and play them.

Pick 3 Tic-Tac-Toe with Hot Numbers

Using hot numbers with the Tic-Tac-Toe strategy, apply the same Pick 3 strategy template, and get the winning numbers from the last draw. Next:

1. Discover the top 6 hot numbers for the game.
2. Fill the left diagonal with the drawn winning numbers.
3. Use the six hot numbers to fill the blank spaces.
4. Collect the possible numbers the same way you did with the mirror strategy, eliminating the winning number. Using the “392” winning number and the hot numbers 6, 4, 2, 1, 9, and 3, the result would be:
5. Therefore, the resulting numbers are:

Charting Lottery System

The charting lottery system uses a table to help generate the next lottery combination. Follow these steps to use this system:

1. Take the winning number of the last draw and convert it into three different pairs. For example, “123” becomes 12, 23, and 13.
2. Locate them in the chart below that is used as a Pick 3 template for this strategy:
   

   I	II	III	IV	V	VI	VII	VIII	IX	X
   00	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09
   19	29	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18
   28	38	39	49	22	23	24	25	26	27
   37	47	48	58	59	69	33	34	35	36
   46	56	57	67	68	78	79	89	44	45
   55		66		77		88		99

3. Pick the numbers that are above or below the given pairs. In this case, they are:
   

   04	22	59	68	77	03	49	58	67	05
   14	69	78	03	49	58

4. Take one of the pairs and look for other pairs that have one of the digits. For instance, in the example above, using 59 as a reference, we will select numbers that either have 5 or 9. We end up with 69, 49, and 58.
5. Build possible winning numbers from your results. Use them interchangeably, and generate combinations starting with each number at least once. For this example, we have 694, 968, and 846.

How To Win With The Pick 3

A Pick 3 strategy is a valuable tool for lottery players as it provides a structured and intelligent approach to selecting lottery numbers. It can reduce confusion, enable smarter decisions, offer peace of mind, and enhance the overall enjoyment of the lottery experience.

Below are a few tips to win the Pick 3 lottery

Pick 3 Odds of Winning

The odds of winning the Pick 3 lottery depend on the size of the number pool. The larger the number pool, the larger the odds, and the more difficult it is to match the winning numbers. The table below contains some of the popular Pick 3 games and their odds of winning.

Understand the Basics Before Proceeding with The Pick 3 Strategy

To fully understand the Pick 3 strategies in the section above, it is necessary to know some specific terms. They are fairly easy to understand, and our Lottery ‘n Go team made sure to explain them in detail.

Lottery Science

Lottery science is just mathematics but applied in a unique way. With this approach, there are no negative numbers, and sums are always reduced to a single digit. That is because there are only one-digit positive numbers in Pick 3 games.

To better absorb the concept, take a look at the following examples:

Hot and Cold Numbers

Playing hot and cold numbers are also applied alone as an individual strategy. They represent the most common (hot) and less common (cold) numbers in past draws. As online lottery results are easy to collect, there is not much mystery involved.

There is no fixed way to play with hot and cold numbers in a lottery. You can choose to play hot numbers, which are known to appear frequently, or cold numbers, hoping they will become hot soon. Alternatively, you may choose to mix it up and play both. Your playing preference is what ultimately determines the numbers you select.

Mirror Numbers

The mirror number of another number is the result when “5” is added to it. Therefore, whenever that term is used for a Pick 3 strategy, it refers to a given number plus five. For clarity:

Reference Numbers

Reference numbers are lottery combinations from past drawings. They are used as a reference when developing your pick 3 strategy. You can get your reference numbers by consulting past lottery results.

Lottery Date Numbers

Lottery date numbers result from the sum of the month and date numbers using the previously explained Lottery Science. They are useful, depending on which Pick 3 strategy is used, as they won’t be relevant in each one of the techniques above.

The concept is better explained with examples:

Pick 3 Math

When all three numbers that occur in a draw are added together, the result is the Pick 3 Math. Therefore, the combinations 386 and 214, according to Pick 3 Math, will result in:

Double Sum

Double Sum consists of adding the number that players would otherwise eliminate using Lottery Science. For example, for draw numbers 286 and 594:

Base Sum

Base Sum uses the same method applied to Pick 3 Math but eliminates the first digit. Using the same examples, 386 and 214 using Base Sum would return:

Why Use Pick 3 Lottery Strategy?

Pick 3 lottery strategies can simplify and enhance the process of identifying and selecting your numbers. Instead of just selecting any number or leaving it to the Quick Pick option, you will have peace of mind knowing you have the best possible number selection on your ticket.

Here are some benefits that players enjoy by incorporating Pick 3 lottery strategies into their gameplay:

Comparison of Pick 3 Lotteries Against Pick 5/Pick 6/Pick 7 Lotteries

Pick 3 lotteries come with a smaller pool than most Pick 5, Pick 6, and Pick 7 lotteries. As a result, these lotteries have smaller odds and jackpots, making it easier to win compared to other lottery games. However, the odds vary depending on how you choose to play, whether it’s straight play, 3-way box, or 6-way box.

Verdict: Is Using a Pick 3 Strategy for You?

The lottery is unpredictable, but if you want to increase your chances of winning, then using a Pick 3 strategy could be your best bet. These strategies give you control over your choices and help you make data-driven selections for jackpot success. It also adds an element of skill and strategy to the lottery, giving you some sort of control over the game and transforming it to a more engaging and challenging endeavour. This gives you a sense of accomplishment when you successfully predict the winning numbers.

So, if you’re ready to elevate your lottery game and increase your chances of success, try them out. You might just win!

FAQs

What is the best Pick 3 strategy?

The best Pick 3 strategies are the rundown method, the tic-tac-toe method, and the lottery charting system. These methods are tested and proven to generate combinations that might prove lucky in the lottery draw. But remember, they do not guarantee lottery wins.

What are the most common Pick 3 winning numbers?

The most common numbers in Pick 3 lotteries are 2, 3, 7, 8, and 9. These digits tend to be drawn more frequently than other numbers. Please note that these are just general lottery trends and the actual frequency of numbers depends on the specific lottery and its lottery history.

Can Pick 3 Strategies guarantee a lottery win?

No Pick 3 strategy can guarantee a lottery win. Increase your odds and understand that losses are part of the game. The lottery is a game of chance, and you will need luck to win. We recommend you play responsibly, even with Pick 3 strategies, and only spend what you can afford to lose.

Can you use a Pick 3 strategy online?

Sure, you can use Pick 3 strategies online. The lottery combinations generated from your Pick 3 strategies can be applied while playing at online lottery sites. Select which combinations to play and enter them on your lottery website.

Are Pick 3 strategies expensive?

Many factors depend on the cost of a strategy. For example, if you choose to use lottery software, you may have to buy it before using it. Another factor is the number of combinations. The more combinations your strategy suggests you use, the more it will cost you. But always play responsibly and only pay for as many combinations as you can reasonably afford.