How to play Swertres
3D Lotto is run by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), not PAGCOR. Most people call it "Swertres." You pick one digit from 0 to 9 in each of the three columns, or mark Lucky Pick (LP).
The ₱10 play amount includes the 20% Documentary Stamp Tax, per PCSO. The maximum you can bet per combination isn't listed on the page we read, so it isn't verified yet. Buy only from authorized lotto outlets or PCSO's official online channel; see our online lotto guide. Official site: pcso.gov.ph. Some look-alike domains are not PCSO.
Straight vs rambolito
According to PCSO, there are two ways to play:
| Play type | You win when… | Prize per ₱10 |
|---|---|---|
| Straight | All 3 digits match in exact order | ₱4,500 |
| Rambolito, 3 different digits (e.g. 123) | Your digits come out in any of the 6 orders | ₱750 |
| Rambolito, 1 pair (e.g. 122) | Your digits come out in any of the 3 orders | ₱1,500 |
In rambolito, the system generates every arrangement of your number. Note: ₱4,500 ÷ 6 = ₱750 and ₱4,500 ÷ 3 = ₱1,500. The math shows that a ₱10 rambolito play is split across all the arrangements. We didn't find the exact price of a rambolito ticket on PCSO's page, so ask the teller before you bet. Triple digits (e.g. 111) have only one arrangement, so rambolito adds nothing there; it isn't verified yet how this is handled.
Exact odds, with working
Three digits, each 0 to 9: 10 × 10 × 10 = 1,000 possible results, from 000 to 999.
- Straight: 1 winning result. Odds 1 in 1,000.
- Rambolito, 3 different digits: 3 × 2 × 1 = 6 arrangements win. Odds 1,000 ÷ 6 = 1 in 166.7.
- Rambolito, 1 pair: 3!/2! = 3 arrangements win. Odds 1,000 ÷ 3 = 1 in 333.3.
For example: if your bet is 4-1-7, rambolito wins on 147, 174, 417, 471, 714 and 741. If it's 2-2-9, only on 229, 292 and 922. To compare with other PCSO games, see PCSO lotto odds.
Same average return, different feel
Expected value is the average payback per ticket over many plays:
- Straight: ₱4,500 × 1/1,000 = ₱4.50 per ₱10.
- Rambolito (6 orders): ₱750 × 6/1,000 = ₱4.50 per ₱10.
- Rambolito (3 orders): ₱1,500 × 3/1,000 = ₱4.50 per ₱10.
If the whole rambolito play is ₱10, the average is the same: ₱4.50 of every ₱10, so about ₱5.50 doesn't go back to players on average. The only difference is the "feel." Rambolito wins more often but smaller; straight wins less often but bigger. No play type is "better value" in the long run.
Draw schedule and three draws a day
PCSO draws 3D Lotto every day at 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM, broadcast on IBC13 and D8TV and livestreamed on PCSO's official channels. You must be 18 or older to buy or claim, according to PCSO.
The three draws a day are the riskiest part. One bet is only ₱10, but ₱10 × 3 draws × 30 days = ₱900 a month on just one combination. Set a weekly limit. Its two-number cousin, EZ2 2D Lotto, has the same draw times and the same trap.
Myths to forget
- "5-5-5 came out earlier, so it won't come out tonight." Each draw is independent. Same 1 in 1,000.
- "Hot and cold numbers" or "number charts." Past draws don't predict future draws. No number is "about to come out."
- "Always play rambolito, it's surer." More often, yes, but the wins are smaller. The average is the same.
- "I know someone on the inside." That's a scam. Don't pay for a "leak."
How to claim
Per PCSO's 3D page: ₱20 up to ₱10,000 at any authorized lotto outlet, ₱20 up to ₱500,000 at PCSO branch offices, and ₱20 up to jackpot at the PCSO Main Office, 2nd Floor. Prizes above ₱10,000 are subject to 20% tax under the TRAIN Law, so a ₱4,500 straight win is below that line. PCSO's FAQ says to write your name and sign the back of the winning ticket before claiming.
PNA, citing RA 1169, reports a one-year window from the draw date to claim. Full steps are in our how to claim guide, and every PCSO game is summarized in the PCSO lotto guide.
If it's not fun anymore
Open 24/7. Free and confidential. If you're betting to "win it back," or you're already using money meant for bills, call. Family members can call too.
FAQ
What's the difference between straight and rambolito in Swertres?
In straight, all three digits must be right in exact order, and the prize is ₱4,500 per ₱10 according to PCSO. In rambolito, you win even if the order is different, but the prize is smaller: ₱750 for three different digits, ₱1,500 if there's one pair.
What are the odds in Swertres straight?
1 in 1,000. There are 10 × 10 × 10 = 1,000 possible three-digit numbers from 000 to 999.
Is rambolito better value than straight?
Rambolito wins more often but the prize is smaller. If the whole rambolito play is ₱10, straight and rambolito have the same average return: about ₱4.50 per ₱10.
How many times a day is the 3D Lotto drawn?
Three: 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM, every day, according to PCSO.
How old do you need to be to bet on Swertres?
According to PCSO, 18 and over to buy a 3D ticket or claim a prize. SugarFun itself is for adults 21 and over.
Sources
- PCSO, 3D Lotto game page (archived copy dated November 28, 2025; straight and rambolito prizes, draw times, age rule, where to claim)
- PCSO, Frequently Asked Questions (archived October 13, 2025; how to claim lotto prizes, 20% tax on prizes above ₱10,000 under TRAIN Law)
- Philippine News Agency, “QC, Pasig bettors claim lotto jackpots” (November 26, 2023; one year from the draw date to claim under RA 1169)
- Note: pcso.gov.ph blocked our direct requests while we were writing, so we read the archived copies linked here. Always confirm the latest rules on pcso.gov.ph.
Kassandra Marcos is SugarFun's lead reviewer. She checks every site against PAGCOR's official list and writes our game and responsible gaming guides. How we test