Powerball is one of the most popular lottery games in the United States, attracting players from across the country with its enormous jackpots. Like all lotteries, the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are astronomically high at 1 in 292 million. However, smaller prizes are also available in Powerball for matching fewer numbers. So do you win money if you match just 2 numbers in Powerball? Let’s take a closer look.
How Powerball Works
In order to understand if matching 2 numbers in Powerball wins any money, it’s important to first understand how the game works.
To play Powerball, a player selects 5 numbers from 1 to 69, and 1 Powerball number from 1 to 26. Numbers can be chosen manually or by using a quick pick option that randomly generates them. Twice a week on Wednesday and Saturday evenings, winning numbers are drawn for the jackpot and lower tier prizes.
The Powerball jackpot is won by matching all 5 numbers plus the Powerball. Lower prizes are won for matching some but not all of the numbers. The prize money depends on how many numbers are matched.
Powerball prizes and odds are as follows:
- Match 5 numbers + Powerball – Jackpot – 1 in 292 million
- Match 5 numbers only – $1 million – 1 in 11 million
- Match 4 numbers + Powerball – $50,000 – 1 in 913,000
- Match 4 numbers only – $100 – 1 in 36,000
- Match 3 numbers + Powerball – $100 – 1 in 14,000
- Match 3 numbers only – $7 – 1 in 580
- Match 2 numbers + Powerball – $7 – 1 in 92
- Match 1 number + Powerball – $4 – 1 in 38
- Match 0 numbers + Powerball – $4 – 1 in 61
As you can see, the prize money decreases as fewer numbers are matched, with the jackpot being won for matching all 5 numbers and the Powerball. Smaller fixed prizes are available down to matching no numbers except the Powerball alone.
Do You Win Money for Matching 2 Numbers?
Based on the Powerball prize structure, matching just 2 of the 5 main numbers without the Powerball wins a prize of $7. This is one of the lowest prize tiers in the game, but it is still a prize nonetheless.
The odds of matching 2 numbers and no Powerball are 1 in 92. This means that on average, 1 in every 92 Powerball tickets sold will win $7 by matching 2 numbers only. Compared to the jackpot odds of 1 in 292 million, matching 2 numbers provides a much more realistic chance of winning a small prize.
While $7 may not seem like a lot, considering the cost of a Powerball ticket is $2, it represents a $5 profit. For a lucky match of just 2 numbers, that’s not a bad payout.
It’s also important to note that the overall odds of winning any prize in Powerball, whether $7 or the jackpot, are 1 in 24.87. So playing consistently gives you frequent chances to win.
Strategies for Winning $7 With 2 Numbers
Is there a strategy you can use to increase your chances of matching 2 numbers in Powerball and winning $7? Here are some tactics to consider:
- Play multiple tickets – More tickets gives you more chance of getting 2 numbers. Play 10 tickets and your odds improve to 1 in 9.
- Cover more numbers – Select numbers spread across the whole 1-69 range to cover more possibilities.
- Play consistent numbers – Stick to the same 2 (or more) favorite numbers every draw.
- Use quick pick – Letting the computer randomly pick your numbers ensures a random spread.
- Join a pool – Pooling money and tickets with others shares more number combinations.
While winning is still ultimately down to chance, these tips can help increase your chances of scoring that minimum $7 prize for 2 matched numbers.
Can You Win Bigger Prizes With Just 2 Numbers?
Matching 2 of the main 5 numbers in Powerball will always win you the fixed $7 prize. However, you can win bigger prizes if one of your 2 matched numbers also happens to be the Powerball.
For example, if you match 2 numbers and also match the Powerball, you’ll win $100 instead of $7. Matching 2 numbers plus the Powerball occurs 1 in 701.
If you match 2 numbers and the Powerball, the $100 prize beats the $7 prize 14 times over. So while the Powerball isn’t required to win money with 2 numbers, it certainly helps.
What Are the Chances of Winning $7?
Winning $7 for matching 2 numbers might seem easy, but what are the actual chances of this happening?
As mentioned earlier, the odds of matching 2 numbers out of 5, without the Powerball, are 1 in 92. This means if you play 92 Powerball tickets, in theory you should match 2 numbers and win $7 at least once.
Another way to look at it is that there is about a 1% chance of winning $7 with 2 numbers on each Powerball ticket you buy. So while not hugely likely, the chances are still decent.
To put the odds in perspective, your chance of matching 2 numbers is:
- 5 times more likely than buying a quick pick and matching 1 number + Powerball
- 8 times more likely than only matching the Powerball
- Over 3,000 times more likely than winning the Powerball jackpot
So while no lottery win is ever guaranteed, matching 2 numbers provides one of your best chances to win a small prize in Powerball.
Biggest Winners Who Matched 2 Numbers
Despite the minimal $7 prize, there have been some noteworthy winners who scored by matching 2 numbers:
- May 2013 – A Virginia truck driver bought 10 random quick pick tickets and matched 2 numbers on one ticket, winning him $7. His tiny prize inspired him to play the same 10 sets of numbers twice a week for months. In August that year, those same numbers won him a $1 million prize for matching 5 numbers.
- March 2017 – A Syracuse man bought 8 Powerball tickets with random quick picks, including one ticket that matched 2 numbers, winning him $7. That encouraged him to get 1 more quick pick ticket later in the week. That ticket matched 5 numbers for a $1 million prize.
- January 2018 – A Michigan couple shared a Powerball ticket that matched 2 numbers, netting them $7. They were inspired to keep playing their set of numbers, and 3 weeks later they went on to win a $1 million prize.
These winners show that even if you only match 2 numbers for $7, it can give the motivation and encouragement to keep playing until you hit an even bigger prize further down the line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you win money for 1 number in Powerball?
Yes, matching just 1 number in Powerball wins a prize, but only if you also match the Powerball. Matching 1 number plus the Powerball wins $4. Matching only 1 number with no Powerball wins nothing.
What is the most common Powerball number?
The most frequently drawn Powerball main numbers are 61, 32, 21, 63, and 69. Number 39 has historically been the most common Powerball. There is no guarantee these numbers will continue to be most common, as all outcomes are random.
Has anyone won Powerball with quick pick?
Yes. In fact, the majority of big Powerball jackpot winners have won with randomly generated quick pick tickets rather than personally selected numbers.
What is the best time to buy Powerball tickets?
There is no proven “best” time as ultimately the timing does not change the random outcome. However, less tickets are sold earlier in the week leading up to the draw, so there is less competition for prizes if you play early.
Can you buy Powerball tickets online?
In most states you can purchase Powerball tickets online through authorized lottery retailers. You must be located in a participating state and be of legal playing age. Some states do not allow online sales.
Conclusion
Winning the massive Powerball jackpot may be a 1 in 292 million long shot. But matching just 2 numbers guarantees a $7 prize, providing a 1 in 92 chance to win. While $7 is not a fortune, it’s a great return from a $2 ticket. With strategic number selection and consistently playing over time, you can increase your chances of landing those 2 matched numbers.
The $7 prize for matching 2 numbers gives players an attainable goal with reasonable odds. And who knows, like for past winners, it could be the first step on your own journey of matches towards an even bigger Powerball payday down the line!
