Some wheel pages say guarantee 3 if 5, but the wording gets slippery. I think it only applies under specific conditions when the winning numbers are inside the selected pool. Can we get a worked example that also shows when the guarantee does not apply?
A phrase such as guarantee 3 if 5 is a coverage promise with a condition. It normally means: if all five winning main numbers are inside the larger pool you selected, the wheel's listed ticket lines guarantee that at least one line contains at least three of those five numbers.
Example: your pool is 1 through 10 and the five winning main numbers are 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9. A valid 3-if-5 wheel must contain at least one purchased line holding three or more of those winners. If a winning number is 11, the if-5 condition is not met. The wording also does not promise a prize, include a bonus ball unless stated, or improve the chance that the winning numbers fall inside your chosen pool.