‘Front Pair’ and ‘Back Pair’ play comes to Pick 3 and Pick 4

July 24, 2013 Posted by NC Lottery at 12:35 PM

Starting Sunday, July 28, there is a new way to play Pick 3 and Pick 4. You can still play the same way you always have: By Quick Pick or choosing your own three or four-digit numbers. But with Pairs play, you can also choose to select two numbers as a Front Pair or Back Pair, for 50 cents or $1 per play.

Here’s how it works. For a Front Pair play, select numbers in the first two columns only. For a Back Pair play, select numbers in the last two columns only. If your two numbers match the winning numbers in the exact order and position drawn, you win. So for example, let’s say the winning Pick 3 numbers for a particular drawing are 1-2-3. If your Front Pair numbers are 1-2 or if your Back Pair numbers are 2-3, you win a prize. A 50 cent play wins $25 and a $1 play wins $50. The odds for winning playing a pair are 1 in 100.

New playslips will make it easy. Just choose your numbers and then select “Front Pair” or “Back Pair” as your play type.

Fans of SUM IT UP will be glad to hear that the feature will also be on playslips beginning Sunday. That means you will no longer have to ask to have SUM IT UP added to your ticket if you want to play that way. One other note: SUM IT UP will not be available for Front Pair or Back Pair plays.

As a relatively young lottery compared to many across the country, we have added new games and features at a steady pace. We hope that Pick 3 and Pick 4 players enjoy these permanent play options. Whatever games you like to play and however you like to play them, we wish you the best of luck!

62 COMMENTS

11/02/2022 12:48 - Alba P N.

I'll try to change my old email embark for gmail and said invalid how I do that and also I win 2 numbers in pick 3 do I won something?NC Lottery
Hi, Alba! If you click on your username/the "Account" tab in the app, and select "My Account" and click on your name, you will be able to update your email address. Please reach out to https://nclottery.com/Help if you need assistance with this and we can help! And you are able to win with 2 numbers in Pick 3 if you play the Pairs play style.

1/07/2020 08:34 - Renee J.

the winning numbers was 929, i place 129.. is it a winning ticketNC Lottery
Hi Renee, There are lots of different ways you can play Pick 3, so without seeing your ticket we can't say for sure. If you are unsure how much you won on a draw, you can always download the NC Lottery app and use the built-in ticket checker to find out.

11/06/2018 01:03 - Matthew B.

I got the first 2 numbers right tonight but last one wrong did I win anything I played 50/50 and $1NC Lottery
Hey Matthew, Without looking at your actual ticket, blog moderators can't say for sure. You can always check your ticket to see if it's a winner by using the ticket scanner at any retail location, any vending machine, or by downloading the NC Lottery app on your phone and scanning it there.

3/04/2015 01:30 - Scott R.

Keno !!! Look into it again. Might be slow to start off, but I played it in GA and really enjoyed that I could sit at a restaurant/bar and watch a new game every few minutes. I spent more money on Keno than any other lottery game in GA. Love NC !!! Glad to be here !!!

7/30/2013 09:25 - marilyn m.

i need some good luck

7/29/2013 04:51 - NC Lottery

@ KATIEPIE123 - You can go to Google.com, and enter the following info at the main prompt (filling in your town's name where it says TOWNNAME and your county's name where it says XYZ).... site:nc-educationlottery.org "TOWNNAME, NC" OR "XYZ County"

7/29/2013 04:31 - KATE P.

HOW CAN WE SEARCH DIFFERENT TOWNS TO SEE WINNERS IN THAT AREA?

7/28/2013 05:39 - NC Lottery

@ EVERYONE - RE: SECURITY CERTIFICATE ISSUE - There is no new information to report at this time but we expect to have an update for everyone sometime on Monday. Sorry for the annoyance and thank you for your patience!

7/28/2013 05:39 - NC Lottery

@ PLAYER (REDPEPPER3434) - More than 2.4 million individual entries were made into the first Hot Summer 2nd Chance drawing that was already held; there is no page on the website where winners are obligated to talk with the public; the only pieces of public information for any lottery win of $600 or more are: Name, Hometown, Game Played, Amount Won. Any winner is welcome to post a comment on the Lucke-Zone! Good luck!

7/28/2013 12:42 - Joseph B.

What is the average number of people that enter the hot summer drawing? Is there a winners page that the big winner talk on?

7/27/2013 11:43 - Delores S.

Since it's looking like the issue with the Lucke Zone certificate won't be resolved in time for players to submit tickets for 7/27, will we be allowed to enter 60 tickets to make up for the day we missed?

7/27/2013 10:13 - NC Lottery

@ EVERYONE - RE: SECURITY CERTIFICATE ISSUE - The NCEL web staff is aware of the problem, and has contacted the multistate lottery association that hosts the lottery's websites. For those members that this has been frustrating, we are sorry for that. As soon as we have more information we will pass it along.

7/27/2013 05:22 - HAROLD H.

I CAIN'T ENTER ANY TICKET ON 2ND CHANCE BECAUSE NCLOTTERY HAS LET THE CERTIFCATE FOR LUCKE ZONE TO EXPIRE CAN YOU TELL ME WHY HAROLD

7/27/2013 03:43 - michael w.

everytime i click on the lucke-rewards link its saying do not proceed page is compromised

7/27/2013 09:54 - NC Lottery

@ PLAYER (ESTHERBOLDEN) - Yes, the rules for Lucke-Rewards state that a player may only win one prize per drawing, but that there is no limit on the number of drawings a player can enter for a chance to win a prize :-)

7/27/2013 09:17 - esther b.

Can a player win more then one time for Wednesday Lucky reward drawing??

7/27/2013 08:28 - carolyn b.

I DONT PLAY P3 & P4 BUT MIGHT GIVE THE PAIRS A TRY......IS THE TICKET GONNA BE AND EXTRA 1.00 TO PLAY THE PAIRS....

7/26/2013 11:30 - HAROLD H.

IS LUCKE ZONE SECURITY CERTIFICATE EXPIRED I GOT A MESSAGE ON MY COMPUTER THAT IT HAS. IF SO WILL YOU CORRECT PLEASE. I NEED TO KNOW WHO WE COMMUNICATE WITH

7/26/2013 12:10 - NC Lottery

@ PLAYER (JMPME81) - It is not a secret that when you play a game of chance, its more likely that you will not win than that you will win. It is that basic premise that makes it possible to have a chance to turn $1, $5, $10 or $20 into $100, $1,000, $100,000 or $1 million. The prize money comes from tickets that don't win. If taking a chance to win a prize sounds like fun to you, then the lottery is perfect for you.

7/26/2013 12:00 - josh p.

in the pick 4 the odds play out like this...on the average you will spend 10,000 to win 5,000...... now of course if you pick a number most likely it will not take that long "to hit".but if you let it play out in the long run, those odds will ring true....the more numbers you play the worst off you are....and you should play everything exact, because any plays out quite a bit worse!

7/25/2013 10:15 - NC Lottery

@ PLAYER (BJEANK) - That's another creative concept!

7/25/2013 07:57 - Betty K.

I have a suggestion for a scratch ticket. You remember Clint Eastwood in his movie he said. Make my day.Well why not have a scratch ticket called Match my day or Make my day........

7/25/2013 04:39 - josh p.

yes the odds do break down like that...pick 3...on the average your going to have to spent 1,000 before you win 500. thats fact. sure you might not to start. but play long enough and those odds will ring true....you got a 1 in 1000 chance to win 500. thats like robbing ppl

7/25/2013 04:18 - NC Lottery

@ PLAYER (JMPME81) - The odds don't work like that at all. You have a 1 in 2 chance of predicting a coin flip, and a 1 in 100 chance of predicting a pair. But you can't win $25 or $50 predicting coin flips. It's no secret that it takes lots of luck to win prizes playing games of chance; that's precisely what makes it possible to have the chance to win prizes. Sorry you don't like the combination of odds & prizes for the games we have to offer - best wishes to you.

7/25/2013 04:13 - josh p.

the odds of these two games break down to this...it would be like flipping a coin, and everytime you win you get 50 cent. everytime you lose, you pay a doller...there is no way around it, if you play these games you will lose...the odds will play out, and the more you invest and longer you play...means the more you wil lose...if everyone banned together and quit playing, you would see the top prize rise from 500 with pick 3 to 600 even 700. like i said google on the internet and you will find where you can win alot more than this crappy state lottery....couple yrs back i won $1,800 off $2 playing pick 3

7/25/2013 03:58 - NC Lottery

@ MOWALLJR - Excellent question. You'd need to fill out a separate play box for each. For example, if you wanted to play the # 1-2-3 exact, you'd fill out one box for that. If you wanted to play a front pair of 1-2, you'd fill out another box for that. And if you want to play a back pair of 2-3, you'd fill out a third box for that :-)

7/25/2013 03:52 - NC Lottery

@ MIMI45 - Here is a link you can copy & paste into your browser that will show you all the blog entries where we have done our best to answer the question you ask again and again about winners in your area: http://bit.ly/YuVwS0

7/25/2013 03:17 - Monte W.

I have chose 4 digits in play "A", can I play front pair AND back pair in the same play box,, Or do I have to repeat that same four digits in the Play box "B" to play the other end of that set? And good luck deciphering the post above!

7/25/2013 03:16 - marriette b.

there has not been any online winners in gastonia at all what is the odds of that

7/25/2013 03:09 - NC Lottery

@ MIMI45 - The information about how many prizes remain at every level for every scratch-off game is posted on our main website, http://www.nc-educationlottery.org. Just click on "GAMES" and then "INSTANT SCRATCH-OFF GAMES" and choose any game, then scroll down and you'll see all the details.

7/25/2013 03:06 - marriette b.

what is the web-site two see if the big amount of the scratch-off ticket is gone because on the news the lady said some won picks up the tickets when the big amount is gone and i think that man is right those tickets are not being pick up when they should in the mean time poeple are still playing those games which is not fair too the public

7/25/2013 01:50 - NC Lottery

@ YOUSIF - Lucke-Rewards drawings are conducted using a random number generator, under the supervision of an auditor, according to specific security procedures. It is impossible for the lottery to post the names of the winners on the same day of the drawing for several reasons: One, the results have to be certified; two, the winners have to respond to the lottery's notification that they've won; and three, a winner must complete the claim process before their name can be announced. That entire process can take several days and sometimes longer. We understand why everyone is eager to find out the results, but these guidelines must be followed.

7/25/2013 01:45 - NC Lottery

@ EARL - As we mentioned in the blog, the NCEL is a relatively young lottery, so we tend to add games and features at a gradual pace. You never know what the future holds - that's what the lottery is all about! :-)

7/25/2013 01:39 - Milton W.

Please start or at least look into starting the "MEGA MONEY" and/or the GROUPER like they have in Florida. I feel this would go over real big in NC..??

7/25/2013 12:41 - Yousif T.

I would like to see some Transparency on how Luckyzone picks the winners, And post the names of winners on the same of the drawning. not sevreal days later.

7/25/2013 12:22 - Stan F.

Sounds good iam always one number off !need a winner

7/25/2013 12:05 - NC Lottery

@ PLAYER (LUCKYSANDY) - Keno is a game type that's been researched, but there are no plans at this time to move toward adding it here in North Carolina.

7/25/2013 11:51 - Valerie D.

An even better way to play the front/back pair would be to box them!! Then that would be called the pick two huh? LOL

7/25/2013 11:31 - Sandra P.

This sounds interesting. I have been summing up, but will try this, as well. Can North Carolina have a Keno game? Sure wish you would add those to the mix. Thanks for thinking of new ways to play.

7/25/2013 10:56 - Eric F.

I think I'm going to like the new add-on to pick3 and pick4, but this sum-it-up idea really sucks, the payout isn't worth it so I don't bother.

7/25/2013 10:46 - NC Lottery

@ SWEETSTUFF - As you know, a Carolina Cash 5 ticket costs $1. If you adjust the prize payout for matching three or four numbers, that would cause the jackpot to grow at a slower pace. The prize structure for every lottery game is set up to make games as fun as possible for everyone who plays.

7/25/2013 10:45 - NC Lottery

@ PLAYER (TPYOUNG) - That's a fun suggestion, we'll pass it along! :-)

7/25/2013 10:44 - patricia c.

why come cash 5 don't offer more for 3 of your numbers and 4 of the numbers shoud be at least 1000 instead of a percentage that is some bull?

7/25/2013 10:44 - NC Lottery

@ PLAYER (PICK3FORNC) - The South Carolina lottery started in 2002, four years before the NCEL did. Lotteries typically introduce new games and features at a gradual pace that fits with the age of the lottery and the level of playership. As for the mechanics of how SUM IT UP was offered before the new playslips that will start Sunday, there are many reasons why the lottery is conservative about making permanent changes. SUM IT UP & Front Pair/Back Pair prizes are scaled according to the likelihood of various things happening... just as with all lottery games. We wish you lots of luck, we love having big winners!

7/25/2013 09:36 - Lakisha S.

Very good idea because I always missed the number by 1....

7/25/2013 07:26 - josh p.

pick 3 and 4 are the two worst games a player can play with ncel

7/25/2013 07:06 - josh p.

what a joke...still horrible odds for players. ppl, google highest pick 3 payouts and you will see where you can win $900 with a $1 exact hit. you can also win $90 playing pairs with $1...why would you ever play with ncel

7/25/2013 01:53 - melissa w.

I'm so glad you guys are coming out with something new bc I'm always a number off I can't wait to play... I'm excited

7/25/2013 01:31 - Tim P.

We've always been behind SC in getting anything that's good done & I'm not just talking lottery...lol I was so glad when SC started this earlier last yr & kept hoping it would get here sooner or later & when i thought it finally had.... The bright bulbs at NCEL HQ came up with what... Sum It Up or as call it Suck It Up b/c you just lost another dollar & top of that i've yet to meet a store clerk who was happy having to ask every customer if they wanted that crap or not. Honestly NCEL, where's the logic charging an extra dollar with low payouts based on the sum total when the state next door already realized that extra dollar or 50 cent payout of a fixed amount was a better deal for players. Now that it's here, i plan on taking you to the cleaners.

7/25/2013 01:31 - James R.

Oh I so can't wait for this! Finally, something I'm good at...I think

7/24/2013 10:20 - James H.

I think the additions to Pick 3 & 4 are great. I would also like to see Keno become available to NC lottery players. I have played in other states and found it to be very enjoyable to watch those winning numbers popping up on the screens - while I am playing some scratch offs.

7/24/2013 08:50 - Ted Y.

Why not have a scratch off that matches a day of the week to a winning day....then you could call it My Lucky Day?

7/24/2013 06:50 - Leotta B.

I am glad that the front pair and back pair is coming but what about the split pair?

7/24/2013 05:50 - Trena N.

Hey, that is awesome. I played front and back pairs like 30 years ago when I lived up North, but hey it finally got here

7/24/2013 05:48 - Roger K.

What about tickets winning trucks and cars again? Did not have any matching numbers on the Cash 5 entry! None was won in my town! So I know It was not me! Congrats on all the winners!!

7/24/2013 04:53 - NC Lottery

@ DCLIASON - That is an EXCELLENT point! We will fix the blog right now.

7/24/2013 04:18 - Debbie C.

I play "Pick 3 Pairs" in South Carolina and I am so glad to see it coming here. In your article you state that the odds for "Pick 4 Pairs" are 1 in 1000 but when you're only picking two numbers, it is still 1 in a 100. I thought the oversight might turn someone away from playing pairs on Pick 4.

7/24/2013 03:47 - NC Lottery

@ BANNE48 - We know that some players would like to see another raffle, but the last few we did weren't as popular as we hoped they'd be. At some point is likely we'll have another one - and Lucke-Zone members will be the first to hear!

7/24/2013 03:31 - Apryl R.

Sweet! Never have played pick 3 or 4, but this new way to play, may change my mind. Especially, after the undesired changes being made in MMs (just my opinion). Thank you for keeping things interesting and fun.

7/24/2013 01:55 - Barbara D.

I miss by 1 number alot so now I can at least win something, good idea I'll try it.

7/24/2013 01:29 - Colleen H.

Yes yes yes!!! This sounds great! Thank you for a new variation. Can't wait to play. Congrats to the cash 5 entry ticket drawing winners today. My fingers are crossed for today's drawing. Sh

7/24/2013 01:19 - bonnie c.

why don't you guys do a raffle drawing

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‘Front Pair’ and ‘Back Pair’ play comes to Pick 3 and Pick 4

July 24, 2013 Posted by NC Lottery at 12:35 PM

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