How to Play DC 3 (DC Lucky Numbers)
50¢ or $1 a play · Every day · 1:50 PM, 7:50 PM and 11:30 PM ET
- 1Pick 3 digits from 0 to 9, or ask for a Quick Pick.
- 2Choose Straight, Box, Straight/Box, Combo, Front Pair or Back Pair.
- 3Choose 50¢ or $1 a play. Straight/Box is $1, and Combo 50¢ or $1 for each order.
- 4Choose the Day, Evening or Night drawing, or all three.
- 5Play the same numbers for up to 7 drawings in a row if you like.
Ways to play
- StraightMatch all 3 digits in the exact order drawn.
- BoxMatch all 3 digits in any order.
- Straight/BoxA 50¢ Straight and a 50¢ Box on one number, for $1.
- ComboA Straight on every order of your digits.
- Front PairMatch the first 2 digits drawn, in exact order.
- Back PairMatch the last 2 digits drawn, in exact order.
You must be 18 or older to buy a ticket or claim a prize. Sales stop 1 minute before each drawing. See every prize
More DC 3 rulesStraight · Box · Straight/Box · Combo · Front Pair · Back Pair · Prizes · Advance Play
- Straight
- Match all 3 digits in the exact order drawn.
- Box
- Match all 3 digits in any order. A number with two digits alike, like 112, is a 3-way box, and three different digits, like 123, a 6-way box: the fewer orders, the bigger the prize.
- Straight/Box
- A 50¢ Straight and a 50¢ Box on the same number, for $1. The exact order wins both prizes, and any other order wins the Box prize.
- Combo
- A Straight on every order of your digits, at 50¢ or $1 each: 3 plays for a 3-way number like 112, so $1.50 or $3, and 6 for a 6-way number like 123, so $3 or $6. Whichever order is drawn wins one Straight prize.
- Front Pair
- Pick 2 digits. Win if they match the first 2 digits drawn, in exact order.
- Back Pair
- Pick 2 digits. Win if they match the last 2 digits drawn, in exact order.
- Prizes
- Every DC 3 prize is a set amount, and a $1 play wins twice what a 50¢ play does. Straight/Box is sold only for $1, a 50¢ Straight and a 50¢ Box, so the exact order wins both prizes: $330 on a number like 112, $290 on one like 123.
- Advance Play
- Besides playing up to 7 drawings in a row, you can buy any one drawing up to 7 days ahead by choosing its day and draw time. To play more than one, tell the retailer your start and end dates.
Reviewed by Bishop Woosley, former Director of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery and NASPL President.
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Good to know
- Before You PlayDC Lottery Draw Times Day 1:50 PM, Evening 7:50 PM, Night 11:30 PM ET, every day. Sales stop 1 minute before each drawing.
- After You WinHow to Claim a DC Lottery Prize Every DC 3 prize: sign it and cash it at any lottery retailer.
- Keep MoreDC Lottery Tax Calculator DC 3’s $500 top prize: nothing withheld. Tax is withheld from prizes over $5,000.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Answers about DC 3 rules
How do you play DC 3?
Pick 3 digits from 0 to 9, or ask for a Quick Pick. Choose Straight, Box, Straight/Box, Combo, Front Pair or Back Pair. Choose 50¢ or $1 a play. Straight/Box is $1, and Combo 50¢ or $1 for each order. Choose the Day, Evening or Night drawing, or all three. Play the same numbers for up to 7 drawings in a row if you like.
What are the ways to play DC 3?
Straight: Match all 3 digits in the exact order drawn. Box: Match all 3 digits in any order. Straight/Box: A 50¢ Straight and a 50¢ Box on one number, for $1. Combo: A Straight on every order of your digits. Front Pair: Match the first 2 digits drawn, in exact order. Back Pair: Match the last 2 digits drawn, in exact order.
How much is a DC 3 ticket in Washington DC?
50¢ or $1 a play.
How late can you buy DC 3 tickets?
The DC 3 cutoff time is 1 minute before each drawing: 1:49 PM ET for the 1:50 PM Day drawing, 7:49 PM ET for the 7:50 PM Evening drawing and 11:29 PM ET for the 11:30 PM Night drawing.
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