Im sure Pick 3 Fairy has far more experience in "predictions" and posting them then I, however, I have tracked numbers for 10 years....ever since the Pick 3 started in Texas.
I tend to rely a lot on alpha patterns, Sum Totals and tracking by positions of 1st, 2nd, 3rd. I've also studied the 1000 EXACTS in great detail in order to develope an "elimination for determination" process. Knowing what is more likely to play then not and the fact that most digits will replay before they get 5 or more games away from last they played helps a lot.
This is about as close as I get to considering "hot, due, dead, cold". I've never worked with any systems that deal with "hot & cold" so I wouldnt know a cold digit if I saw it unless my way considers anything that hasnt played within the past 4 games as cold and hot digits all within the past 4 games? Then I let my software take over and generate me combinations with 2 digits from most recent 4 games and 1 digit 5 games or more out. <G>
Since the software has a controlled number generator I can control what I see and based upon my analysis of 2 charts I keep, I set filters for the process of elimination for determination. Im still refining the software as well and am waiting for my programmer to return from the holidays to add 2 more filters to the system.