You’ve seen the lines at the gas station or the folks hunched over slips at the local Publix. They’re all chasing that three or four-digit dream. Honestly, the Georgia Cash 3 Cash 4 games are basically the heartbeat of the state’s lottery scene, mostly because they feel winnable compared to those billion-dollar Powerball nightmares.
But here is the thing: most people just pick their birthday and hope for the best. There is a lot more under the hood.
If you are looking to actually understand how these games work in 2026, you have to look past the "Quick Pik" button. It’s about the math, the draw times, and knowing exactly how much the state is actually going to hand over when your numbers hit.
The Basics of Georgia Cash 3 Cash 4
Let’s start with the split. Cash 3 is the "little brother" where you pick three numbers from 0 to 9. Cash 4 bumps it up to four. Sounds simple, right?
It is, until you see the play types. You aren't just betting on the numbers; you're betting on the order.
In Georgia Cash 3, a $1 "Straight" play—meaning you have to hit the numbers in the exact order they come out—pays $500. The odds are 1 in 1,000. Not too bad in the grand scheme of gambling. But if you play a "Box," you win if your numbers show up in any order. Of course, the payout drops because the odds got better.
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Georgia Cash 4 is the high-stakes version. A $1 Straight play here nets you a cool $5,000. The odds? 1 in 10,000. It’s a steeper hill to climb, but for a buck, that’s a lot of groceries.
Three Times a Day: When the Balls Drop
One reason these games stay so popular is the frequency. You don't have to wait until Saturday night to see if you can quit your job. Georgia runs these draws three times every single day, seven days a week.
The schedule is like clockwork:
- Midday: 12:29 p.m. ET
- Evening: 6:59 p.m. ET
- Night: 11:34 p.m. ET
Basically, you can lose your lunch money at noon and try to win it back before bed. (Don't actually do that, though. Play responsible.)
Ticket sales actually "pause" right before the draws. For example, for the Night draw at 11:34 p.m., you’ve gotta have your ticket in hand by 10:45 p.m. or you’re bumped to the next day. If you’re playing online or via the app, the same rules apply.
The "1-Off" Strategy and Other Play Types
A lot of regulars swear by the "1-Off" play type. It’s sorta like a safety net. If you’re "one off" on any of the digits—meaning you picked a 4 but a 3 or a 5 came up—you still win something.
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It feels great to not lose entirely, but the payouts are way smaller. For a $1 Cash 3 "1-Off" ticket, hitting the straight match only pays $250 instead of the usual $500, because you're paying for that extra "oops" protection.
Then you have Pairs. This is a Cash 3 specialty. You can choose to just play the Front Pair or the Back Pair. If you pick the first two numbers correctly in order, you win $50 on a $1 bet. The odds are 1 in 100. Honestly, if you're just looking for a "win" to keep the momentum going, pairs are the way to go.
Taxes and The Real Payout
Nobody likes to talk about it, but Uncle Sam and the State of Georgia are your silent partners. If you win more than $600, the Georgia Lottery is going to report that to the IRS.
For the big $5,000 Cash 4 wins, they’re definitely taking their cut before you even see the check. In Georgia, lottery winnings are generally subject to state income tax, which usually hovers around 5.49% as of recent tax years, plus the federal bite.
You have 180 days from the draw date to claim your prize. If you bought your ticket at a retailer, you can claim prizes up to $600 right there at the counter—if they have the cash on hand. Anything bigger, and you’re heading to a District Office or the big headquarters near the airport in Atlanta.
How to Actually Play Smarter
Is there a "system"? Not really. Every draw is independent. The machine doesn't remember that "777" came up last night (which it actually did recently, paying out over $3 million because so many people play triples).
But there are ways to manage your money:
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- Multi-Draw: You can play the same numbers for up to 7 consecutive draws. It saves you trips to the store.
- Combo Plays: This is basically buying every possible "Straight" combination of your numbers. It’s expensive, but if your numbers show up at all, you get the full "Straight" payout.
- Set a Budget: It’s easy to get caught up in the 3-times-a-day cycle. Decide what you’re willing to lose before you start.
The real "expert" tip? Check your tickets with the official Georgia Lottery app. People leave millions of dollars in unclaimed prizes on the table every year because they misread a "Box" win or didn't realize they had a "1-Off" winner.
To get started with your next set of numbers, decide whether you're chasing the frequency of Georgia Cash 3 or the bigger $5,000 ceiling of Georgia Cash 4. Once you've picked your game, choose a "Straight" play if you're feeling lucky or a "Box" play if you'd rather have better odds with a smaller payout. You can check the latest winning numbers on the official Georgia Lottery website or app immediately following the 12:29 p.m., 6:59 p.m., and 11:34 p.m. draws.