You’ve probably seen the signs at the Publix checkout or the local gas station—bright neon letters flashing the latest winning numbers. While the massive Powerball jackpots get all the national headlines, there is a quiet, steady favorite among Florida residents that’s been running since the late eighties. I'm talking about the Florida Lottery Cash Three, a game that many people play every single day without fail.
Honestly, it’s the simplicity that keeps people coming back. You aren't trying to beat one-in-three-hundred-million odds here. It’s just three numbers. That’s it. But even though it looks simple on the surface, there is actually a surprising amount of nuance in how you can play and, more importantly, how you can win.
The Rebrand You Might Have Missed
If you’ve lived in the Sunshine State for a while, you might still call it "Cash 3." Technically, the Florida Lottery rebranded this as PICK 3 back in August 2016 to align it with their other daily games like Pick 2, Pick 4, and Pick 5. However, if you walk up to a retailer and ask for a "Cash 3" ticket, they’ll know exactly what you mean. The game itself didn't change; it just got a name lift.
The mechanics remained identical. You choose three digits from 0 to 9. You can pick the same number three times (like 7-7-7) or three different ones. The drawings happen twice a day, every single day. The Midday draw is at 1:30 p.m. ET, and the Evening draw hits at 9:45 p.m. ET.
How to Actually Play Florida Lottery Cash Three
Most people think you just pick three numbers and hope they show up in order. That's a "Straight" play. If you bet $1 and hit a Straight, you win $500. Not a life-changing fortune, but a very nice weekend in Key West.
But there are other ways to play that change your odds significantly.
The Box Play
This is for the person who says, "I know these numbers are coming, I just don't know which order." In a Box play, your numbers can come up in any combination.
If you pick 1-2-3 and the drawing is 3-2-1, you win. There are two types of Box plays:
- 3-Way Box: You pick two digits the same (like 1-1-2). There are only three ways those numbers can be arranged.
- 6-Way Box: You pick three different digits (like 1-2-3). There are six possible combinations.
Because the 6-way box is easier to hit, the payout is lower—$80 on a $1 bet, compared to $160 for a 3-way box.
Straight/Box: The Safety Net
Kinda the best of both worlds. You split your $1 bet. If the numbers match exactly, you win both the Straight and the Box prizes (around $330 for a 3-way or $290 for a 6-way). If they match but in the wrong order, you still walk away with the Box prize.
Front Pair and Back Pair
This is a detail most casual players overlook. You can actually choose to play only the first two numbers or the last two numbers. It’s a 1-in-100 shot. A $1 bet on a pair pays out $50. It’s basically a way to keep the game interesting if you have a "feeling" about a certain part of the sequence.
The Fireball Factor: Is it Worth It?
In 2021, the Florida Lottery added the FIREBALL feature. It's an add-on that doubles the cost of your ticket. So, a $1 play becomes $2.
Here’s how it works: after the regular three numbers are drawn, a separate Fireball number (0-9) is drawn. You can use that Fireball number to replace any of the three digits drawn to create a winning combination.
Let's say you played 1-2-3. The drawing comes up 1-2-9. Usually, you'd be annoyed. But if the Fireball is a 3, you can swap that 9 for a 3 and—boom—you just won a Straight.
Is it worth doubling your price? Statistically, it gives you way more ways to win, but the payouts for Fireball wins are lower than the base game prizes. For example, a $1 Straight win with Fireball pays $200 instead of $500. It's about more frequent, smaller wins versus the "big" $500 hit.
The Numbers People Chasing
People get superstitious with the Florida Lottery Cash Three. You’ll see folks playing "trips"—0-0-0, 1-1-1, and so on. In fact, back in 2025, the number 7-7-7 was drawn, and it resulted in over $4.5 million in payouts in a single day because so many people play that specific sequence.
There’s also the "1-OFF" play style. This is for the person who always seems to miss by just one digit. If you choose 1-OFF, you win if your numbers are just one higher or lower than the ones drawn. It gives you 26 extra ways to win. If you played 1-2-3 and the draw was 1-2-4, you’d still get a payout.
Realities of the Odds
Let’s be real for a second. The odds of hitting a Straight in the Florida Lottery Cash Three are 1 in 1,000.
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That sounds great compared to the Powerball (1 in 292 million), but you have to remember the prize is capped. This isn't a game you play to get rich. It’s a game people play for the "hit."
I’ve talked to retailers in Miami and Orlando who say the same thing: their "regulars" have been playing the same three numbers for twenty years. Sometimes it's a birthday, sometimes it's a house number. Sometimes it’s just a sequence they saw on a license plate while stuck in traffic on I-4.
How to Claim Your Winnings
If you do hit those numbers, don't just leave the ticket on your dashboard. Florida sun will ruin the thermal paper, and if the barcode can't be read, you’re in for a headache.
- Under $600: You can claim these at any authorized Florida Lottery retailer. Most people just go back to the gas station where they bought it.
- Over $600: You’ll need to visit a district lottery office. There are offices in Tallahassee, Miami, Fort Myers, Orlando, Tampa, and several other spots.
- Sign the back: Seriously. Do it immediately. A lottery ticket is a "bearer instrument." If you lose it and haven't signed it, whoever finds it can claim the cash.
Florida law is pretty strict about transparency, too. You can't stay anonymous if you win. Your name and city are public record, though they do keep your home address and phone number private.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Play
If you're planning on picking up a ticket this afternoon, here's how to do it like a pro.
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First, decide on your budget. Don't chase losses. If you're playing for fun, a $0.50 or $1 ticket is plenty.
Second, consider the Advance Play option. If you have a set of "lucky" numbers, you can play them for up to 14 consecutive days. It saves you from having to run to the store every day before the 1:19 p.m. or 9:34 p.m. cutoff times.
Third, use the Florida Lottery app. You can create a "digital play slip" on your phone. You just show the QR code to the clerk, they scan it, and your ticket prints. It’s way faster than fumbling with those little paper slips and a golf pencil that’s always dull.
Finally, always double-check your tickets. You’d be amazed at how many people throw away winning "Box" or "Front Pair" tickets because they only looked for the "Straight" match. Use the self-scanner at the store or the scan feature on the app. Don't leave money on the table just because you were in a rush.