Glossary
Lotto terms, explained
Every PCSO lotto term you will run into, in plain English. Bookmark this and skip the jargon.
Three groups to know
- Game terms: jackpot, rollover, draw, cut-off
- Play types: Straight, Rambolito, System Play, Lucky Pick
- Local names: Swertres (3D Lotto), EZ2 (2D Lotto)
The full glossary
- Lucky Pick
- A quick way to let the app choose random numbers for you instead of picking them yourself. It does not change the odds; it just saves time.
- System Play
- Lets you choose more numbers than the game normally requires, and enters every combination of them for you. It covers more combinations on one ticket, and the cost goes up with the number of combinations.
- Straight
- A digit-game play type where your chosen digits must match the draw in the exact order. Higher prize than Rambolito for the same set of digits.
- Rambolito
- A digit-game play type where your chosen digits can match the draw in any order. It covers more outcomes than Straight, but pays a smaller fixed prize. The app shows both prizes before you confirm.
- Swertres
- The popular Filipino name for 3D Lotto, where you pick three digits from 0 to 9. You will see both names used interchangeably.
- EZ2
- The popular Filipino name for 2D Lotto, where you pick two digits from 0 to 9. Also called 2D Lotto in official PCSO materials.
- Jackpot
- The top prize in a 6-number game. When nobody wins, it rolls over and grows in the next draw.
- Rollover
- When no ticket matches all six winning numbers, the unclaimed jackpot carries over and adds to the prize pool for the next draw. Rollovers are how jackpots reach very large amounts.
- Draw
- The official event where PCSO selects the winning numbers. Draws run on a set schedule, publicly, and the results are published by PCSO.
- Cut-off
- The deadline to place a ticket for a specific draw. Sales close a short time before the draw itself. Always play before the cut-off.
System Play enters more combinations. It does not beat a random draw.
Local names you will hear
Swertres and EZ2 are the names most Filipino players use. Swertres is 3D Lotto, EZ2 is 2D Lotto. Official PCSO schedules and app screens use both, so neither name should catch you off guard.
Common questions
What is Swertres in lotto?
Swertres is the common Filipino name for 3D Lotto, where you pick three digits from 0 to 9.
What does Rambolito mean?
Rambolito is a digit-game play type where your chosen digits can match the draw in any order, rather than the exact order. It wins more often than Straight but pays a smaller fixed prize.
Does System Play improve my chances of winning the jackpot?
It enters more combinations, so it covers more outcomes, but each combination has the same odds and it costs more. It is a way to play more lines at once, not a way to beat the draw.