Difference between Pick 3 game and Lotto game

A Pick 3 game is a specific type of lottery game where a player chooses a 3-digit number to match the number or numbers drawn.

In each draw, there are 3 barrels containing the balls numbered from “0” to “9”. Each barrel effectively represents a digit in the 3-digit number.

If ball “3” is drawn from the first barrel, ball “3” may still be drawn from the second or third barrel. In other words, when a ball of a specific number is drawn, it can still be drawn again in the same draw. This is the fundamental difference from a Lotto game.

For a Lotto game, there is a single barrel containing the main balls. For example, in a 5/35 Lotto game, the barrel contains the balls numbered from “1” to “35”. If ball “3” is drawn, ball “3” will not be drawn again in the same draw.

For some Lotto games, there can be a bonus or supplementary number. This bonus or supplementary may or may not be drawn from the same barrel as the main balls.

For example, the UK Lotto game has a bonus ball that is drawn from the same barrel as the main balls. If ball “3” is drawn as one of the main numbers, ball “3” will not be drawn as the bonus number in the same draw.

On the other hand, the USA Powerball game has a bonus ball, called the Powerball, that is drawn from a separate barrel. If ball “3” is drawn as one of the main number, ball “3” may still be drawn as the Powerball in the same draw.

Understanding the barrels used and how the lottery game is played is critical if you like to analyze the lottery game. In addition, if you plan to leverage any lottery software for your analysis, it is also important not to choose those lottery software that looks at Pick 3 games the same way as Lotto games.