Old Games Rules

< Back to Games Rules


Pick 3/Pick 4 Game Rules


RULE NO. 1 DEFINITIONS
RULE NO. 2 TYPES OF BETS
RULE NO. 3 TICKET PURCHASE; CHARACTERISTICS AND RESTRICTIONS
RULE NO. 4 PRICE
RULE NO. 5 POSSESSION
RULE NO. 6 SIGNATURE
RULE NO. 7 LOST OR STOLEN TICKETS
RULE NO. 8 PRIZE ELIGIBILITY
RULE NO. 9 INELIGIBLE PRIZE TICKETS
RULE NO. 10 CANCELLATION OF DRAWINGS
RULE NO. 11 CLAIMS
RULE NO. 12 AGENTS
RULE NO. 13 PLAYERS
RULE NO. 14 UNACCEPTED BET
RULE NO. 15 MINORS PURCHASING TICKETS
RULE NO. 16 CHANGES
RULE NO. 17 NUMBER OF DAYS PLAYED
RULE NO. 18 PRIZE POOL
RULE NO. 19 LIABILITY
RULE NO. 20 DRAWINGS
RULE NO. 21 RETAILER CASHING BONUS
 

RULE NO. 1 DEFINITIONS

The following definitions are for the Tri-State Pick 3®/Pick 4® Daily Numbers Game.

(a) "Agent" means the sales agents who are authorized to sell player selection game plays.

(b) "Drawing" means the process which is used to randomly select the daily three (3) digit number and the daily four (4) digit number.

(c) "Game Play", "Play" or "Bet" means the players selection or a computer pick of a set of 3-digit numbers, from 000 through 999; or a set of 4-digit numbers, from 0000 through 9999; or a set of 2-digit numbers, reading from left to right, from 00 through 99, either as the first two digits, middle two digits (for Pick 4) or the last two digits; or a single digit from 0 through 9 in its selected position of a winning number to be played for a specific draw.

(d) "Day Draw" means the Tri-State Pick 3® or Tri-State Pick 4® drawing that is conducted mid-day. "Eve Draw" means the Tri-State Pick 3® or Tri-State Pick 4® drawing that is conducted in the evening.

(e) "Game Ticket" or "Ticket" means a slip of paper produced by an authorized on-line terminal acknowledging the recording of a legal transaction between the Lottery and the recipient for a certain date.

(f) "Commission" means the Tri-State Lotto Commission®.

(g) "Director" means administrative head in charge of day-to-day operations of any party state's Lottery Commission.

(h) "Winning numbers" means the 3 digit numbers from 000 through 999, or the 4 digit numbers from 0000 through 9999, randomly selected at each official drawing to determine winning plays contained on a game ticket on a specific draw date.

(i) "Pick 3®" and "Pick 4®" means on-line terminal Lottery games as defined in Rule 1(C) offered for sale by the Commission.

(j) "STRAIGHT" or "STR" means the player's bet shall match the winning number for the game played in exact order.

(k) "BOX" means the player's bet shall match the winning numbers for the game played in any order.

(l) "FRONT" means the first two digits of a Tri-State Pick 3® or Tri-State Pick 4® number in exact order.

(m) "MIDDLE" means the center two digits of a Pick 4 number in exact order.

(n) "BACK" means the last two digits of a Tri-State Pick 3® or Tri-State Pick 4® number in exact order.

(o) "SINGLE" means one digit of a Pick 3 or Pick 4 number in its selected position.

(p) "Easy Pick" or "Computer Pick" means a computer generated random play to be used as a player's bet.

(q) "Bet Slip" means an authorized slip of paper pre-printed with numbered and play style blocks, completed by the player to designate the numbers and play style to be entered into a drawing. A "bet slip" is not evidence of play.

(r) "Terminal" means a device which is authorized by the Lottery to function in an on-line, interactive mode with the central system, for the purpose of issuing Lottery tickets and entering, receiving and processing Lottery transactions, including purchases, canceling purchases, validating tickets and transmitting reports.

(s) "Board" means that area of the bet slip which contains the designated number of squares.
 

RULE NO. 2 TYPES OF BETS

The player shall place any or all of the following bet(s) on the number(s) selected:

(a) All three (3) digits or four (4) digits to be drawn in exact order.

(b) All three (3) digits or four (4) digits to be drawn in any order.

(c) The first two or last two digits of the three (3) digit Pick 3 number in exact order.

(d) The first two or last two digits of the four (4) digit Pick 4 number in exact order.

(e) The two middle digits of the four (4) digit Pick 4 number in exact order.

(f) One (1) digit of the three (3) digit Pick 3 number to be drawn in its selected position.

(g) One (1) digit of the four (4) digit Pick 4 number to be drawn in exact order in its selected position.
 

RULE NO. 3 TICKET PURCHASE; CHARACTERISTICS AND RESTRICTIONS

(a) A valid Tri-State Pick 3® or Tri-State Pick 4® ticket shall contain all of the following:
  1. The caption "Pick 3®" or the caption "Pick 4®"
  2. The drawing date(s)
  3. The price for each bet
  4. The total ticket price
  5. The total number of draws
  6. The draw type (Day and/or Eve)
  7. A terminal printed validation number
  8. A terminal printed validation bar code
  9. A ticket stock sequential number
  10. A vendor security-issued number
  11. The player's chosen bet(s) each consisting of numbers containing either four digits, three digits, two digits or one digit with "X"(s) in the unselected positions.
  12. The caption "STRAIGHT", "BOX", "FRONT PAIR", "MIDDLE PAIR","BACK PAIR","1st DIGIT", "2nd DIGIT", "3rd DIGIT" or "4th DIGIT"
  13. Retailer number
  14. Terminal number
  15. Time stamp
  16. Text lines available for lottery messages
(b) A bet shall be placed either by communicating the bet to the agent, or by marking the required numbered squares in any one game board on a bet slip and submitting the bet slip to the agent or by requesting an "easy pick" from the agent.

(c) Bets shall be placed only for drawings that have not yet occurred. A bet placed for a drawing which has already occurred shall be void. The player shall be entitled to a refund from the party Lottery equal to the price of the ticket.

(d) A ticket may be canceled under the conditions established by the Commission in Tri-State Policy No. 9.
 

RULE NO. 4 PRICE

Game plays shall sell for the amount determined by the Commission, who shall make a public announcement, at a minimum, through a statewide circulated newspaper. Game plays and tickets may be purchased only through agents.
 

TICKET RESPONSIBILITY
RULE NO. 5 POSSESSION

Until such time as a signature is placed upon the rear portion of a ticket in the area designated therefore, a ticket shall be owned by the physical possessor thereof. When a signature is placed on the rear of said ticket in the place designated therefore, the person whose signature appears in such area shall be the owner of said ticket and shall be entitled to any prize attributable thereto.
 

RULE NO. 6 SIGNATURE

Notwithstanding any name or names submitted on a claim form, the Director shall make payment as directed by the person(s) whose signature(s) appear on the rear of the ticket. In the event of multiple winning players on one (1) ticket, each winner shall be paid their share. In a case of disputed winners of a ticket, the Director shall await such time as a binding determination of entitlement is made.
 

RULE NO. 7 LOST OR STOLEN TICKETS

The Commission shall not be responsible for lost or stolen tickets.
 

TICKET VALIDATION REQUIREMENTS
RULE NO. 8 PRIZE ELIGIBILITY

To be a valid ticket and eligible to receive a prize, all of the following requirements shall be satisfied:

(a) The ticket shall have been issued by the Commission through an authorized agent, via a terminal.

(b) The ticket data shall have been recorded in the central computer system at least five (5) minutes prior to the drawing; even if it appears that a bet is accepted by virtue of a printed ticket, any bet placed other than at least five (5) minutes prior to the drawing, regardless of when the drawing is held, is void.

(c) The information appearing on the ticket shall correspond precisely with the Commission's computer record.

(d) The terminal printed validation number shall appear in its entirety, and correspond, using a computer validation file, to the winning game play or plays printed on the ticket. The ticket shall pass a security check using a black light.

(e) The ticket shall not be defectively printed, fuzzy, produced in error, counterfeit in whole or in part, altered, unreadable, reconstructed, tampered with in any manner, stolen, blank or partially blank, misregistered, or defective. The ticket shall be intact, fully legible, not fuzzy, complete and not miscut, correspond to the art work on file at the Commission and be regular in every respect.

(f) All information appearing on an apparent winning ticket shall correspond to the Commission's records of winning ticket, and another ticket with identical data shall not have been paid.

(g) The ticket shall pass all other security criteria determined by the Commission.

(h) The ticket shall be validated in accordance with the provisions of these rules relating to the procedures for claiming prizes and for the payment thereof.

(i) An apparent winning ticket shall be void unless the ticket is printed on a paper stock roll which was in use at the time of the bet and in a logically correct area of the paper roll that was validly issued to the agent from whom the ticket was purchased.
 

RULE NO. 9 INELIGIBLE PRIZE TICKETS

In the event that a ticket fails to pass all the criteria, the ticket shall be deemed void and ineligible for any prize and shall not be paid. In the event of a dispute or other instance of doubt, the decision of the Director shall be final and binding unless appealed to the Commission. If the Commission determines that the ticket is not eligible to receive a prize, then the Commission may, at the Commission's option, for good cause, replace an invalid, defective or otherwise erroneous ticket with a ticket of equivalent sales price from any current Lottery game. Replacement of the ticket shall be the bearer or claimant's sole and exclusive remedy.
 

RULE NO. 10 CANCELLATION OF DRAWINGS

The Commission may cancel drawings and/or sale of tickets on holidays, days of special importance, or on days when conditions make conducting the game impractical or inappropriate. The Commission is authorized to conduct drawings and make-up drawings at times, dates, and pursuant to methods determined by the Commission.
 

RULE NO. 11 CLAIMS

(a) To receive direct payment of less than $600 or amount required by individual party state, the player shall take the winning ticket to any agent or Commission office within 365 days of the drawing date. The winning ticket shall be signed and turned in to the agent to receive payment.

(b) If there is any alteration, mutilation, tear, or other ambiguity on the ticket, then the agent is not authorized to make direct payment and a claim form shall be submitted to the Lottery.

(c) Winners shall complete a claim form for prizes of $600 or amount required by individual party state.

(d) All prizes must be claimed as directed within 365 calendar days of the drawing in which the prize was won. For purposes of determining the claim period, the first (draw) day shall be excluded, and the last day included. In the event the last day falls on a Saturday, a Sunday, a legal holiday, or a day or time during which State offices are officially closed, the time to claim shall be extended to close of business on the next day thereafter when Lottery offices are open for business. Any prize not claimed within the specified period shall be forfeited.

(e) Claim forms shall be submitted through the agent, or may be mailed or submitted directly by the claimant to the Commission.

(f) The winning ticket shall be signed by the player and submitted with the claim form.

(g) Claims submitted to the Commission are subject to validation; once validated, the prize shall be forwarded to the player.

(h) The Commission's determination on the validity of tickets and the amounts to be paid is final.

(i) No payments shall be made unless the player possesses the winning ticket.

(j) The following shall be supplied by the claimant on the claim form:
  1. Name
  2. Address
  3. Telephone number
  4. Social Security number
  5. Date of birth
  6. Claimant signature and date signed
(k) Claims submitted to the Commission shall be subject to validation.
 

GENERAL
RULE NO. 12 AGENTS

All agents shall comply with these rules as well as the published or established procedures for each game(s). License to sell tickets may be suspended or terminated by the Lottery if the agents violate these rules and regulations or the procedures for the game(s). The Commission shall establish minimum sales levels which shall be met in order for the agents to maintain their license to sell tickets.
 

RULE NO. 13 PLAYERS

Players shall understand and agree that by purchasing a ticket they shall abide by State law and rules of the Commission.
 

RULE NO. 14 UNACCEPTED BET

If for any reason the player's bet is not accepted, then the liability of the Commission and its agent is limited to a refund of the amount wagered.
 

RULE NO. 15 MINORS PURCHASING TICKETS

Minors are not permitted to purchase tickets.
 

RULE NO. 16 CHANGES

The Commission has the right to change rules and regulations pursuant to State laws.
 

RULE NO. 17 NUMBER OF DAYS PLAYED

The player shall bet from one (1) to twenty-one (21) consecutive drawing days up to forty-two (42) consecutive draws.
 

RULE NO. 18 PRIZE POOL

Players are eligible to receive, subject to the validation requirements, only the highest eligible prize for each winning game play as determined by the prize table.
 

Tri-State PICK 3®.

The player who has made and bet on a Tri-State Pick 3® winning selection shall be paid prizes as follows:
 
WAGER BET TYPE HOW WON PRIZE
(A)$0.50 Straight Exact match all three digits in exact order. $250.00
(B)$0.50 Box (6-way) Exact match all three unique digits any order. $42.00
(C)$0.50 Box (3-way) Exact match all three digits, two identical digits any order. $83.00
(D)$1.00 Straight Box (6-way) Both straight and box.
Box only.    
$292.00
$42.00
(E)$1.00  Straight Box (3-way) Both straight and box.
Box only.  
$333.00
$83.00
(F)$0.50   Front Pair   Exact match first two digits in exact order. $25.00
(G)$0.50 Back Pair    Exact match last two digits in exact order. $25.00
(H)$0.50   Single   Exact match one digit in exact order. $2.50
 

Tri-State PICK 4®.

The player who has made a bet on a Tri-State Pick 4® winning selection shall be paid prizes as follows:
 
WAGER BET TYPE HOW WON PRIZE  
(A)$0.50     Straight Exact match all four digits in exact order $2500.00
(B)$0.50 Box (24-way) Exact match all four unique digits any order. $104.00
(C)$0.50   Box (12-way) Exact match all four digits same digits any order.   $208.00
(D)$0.50 Box (6-way) Exact match all four digits two pairs of same digits any order. $417.00
(E)$0.50 Box (4-way) Exact match all four digits three same digits any order. $625.00
(F)$1.00  Straight/Box (24-way) Both straight and box.
Box only.
$2,604.00
$104.00
(G)$1.00 Straight/Box (12-way) Both straight and box.
Box only.  
$2,708.00
$208.00
(H)$1.00 Straight/Box (6-way) Both straight and box.
Box only.
$2,917.00
$417.00
(I)$1.00   Straight/Box (4-way) Both straight and box.
Box only.
$3,125.00
$625.00
(J)$1.00   Front Pair Exact match first two digits in exact order. $25.00
(K)$0.50 Middle Pair Exact match center two digits in exact order. $25.00
(L)$0.50 Back Pair   Exact match last two digits in exact order. $25.00
(M)$0.50 Single Exact match one digit in exact order. $2.50
 

RULE NO. 19 LIABILITY

When the number of bets placed reaches a liability/limit designated by the Commission for that type of bet, the Commission may permit no more bets to be placed on that type of bet. (Pick 3® - $100,000 each state for a total Tri-State limit $300,000; Pick 4® - $200,000 for each state making a total Tri-State limit of $600,000).
 

RULE NO. 20 DRAWINGS

Drawings shall be conducted in such manner, with such frequency, with such odds of winning, and at such times and places as the Commission may determine, from time to time, and announced to the public.
 

RULE NO. 21 RETAILER CASHING BONUS

(Adopted 6/1/01) A party state may pay a 1% retailer cashing bonus for prizes paid in Pick 3® and Pick 4®, up to the prize value authorized under Pick 3® and Pick 4® Rule No. 11 (A), if the party state was authorized to pay a retailer cashing bonus for the Pick 3® and Pick 4® games prior to 1995. Amended Pick 3®/Pick 4® Rules adopted August 4, 2000; Amended June 1, 2001; Amended January 10, 2003; Amended May 16, 2003; Amended May 4, 2007; and Amended November 6, 2009