The Powerball lottery is one of the most popular lottery games in the United States. Powerball jackpots start at $40 million and can grow to over $1 billion if there are multiple rollovers without a jackpot winner. To win the Powerball jackpot, you need to match all 5 white balls plus the red Powerball number. But there are also several smaller prizes you can win by matching some of the numbers. So how many numbers do you need to match to win a Powerball prize?
Quick Answer
To win the Powerball jackpot, you need to match all 5 white balls plus the red Powerball. The odds of doing this are 1 in 292,201,338. To win any Powerball prize, you need to match either:
- 5 white balls only (1 in 11,688,053 odds)
- 4 white balls + Powerball (1 in 913,129 odds)
- 3 white balls + Powerball (1 in 36,525 odds)
- 3 white balls only (1 in 579 odds)
- 2 white balls + Powerball (1 in 701 odds)
- 1 white ball + Powerball (1 in 91 odds)
- Powerball only (1 in 38 odds)
So in summary, to win the jackpot you need all 6 numbers, but you can win smaller prizes by matching as few as 1 number plus the Powerball.
How to Play Powerball
First, it helps to understand how the Powerball lottery works. Powerball drawings are held every Wednesday and Saturday night at 10:59 p.m. ET. At each drawing, 5 white balls are drawn from one set of 69 white balls. Then 1 red Powerball is drawn from a separate set of 26 red balls.
To play, you first select 5 numbers from 1 to 69 for the white balls. Then you select 1 number from 1 to 26 for the Powerball. You can choose your own numbers or do a “quick pick” and have the numbers randomly generated for you.
Each Powerball play costs $2. You can multiply your non-jackpot winnings by choosing the Power Play option for an extra $1 per play. The Power Play multiplies non-jackpot prizes by up to 10 times.
Odds of Winning Powerball
The odds of winning a Powerball prize depend on how many numbers you match. Here are the odds for each prize:
| Prize | Match | Odds (1 in) |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prize | 5 white balls + Powerball | 292,201,338 |
| $1 million | 5 white balls only | 11,688,053 |
| $50,000 | 4 white balls + Powerball | 913,129 |
| $100 | 3 white balls + Powerball | 36,525 |
| $100 | 3 white balls only | 579 |
| $7 | 2 white balls + Powerball | 701 |
| $4 | 1 white ball + Powerball | 91 |
| $4 | Powerball only | 38 |
As you can see, the odds of winning the jackpot by matching all 6 numbers are exceedingly low, at 1 in almost 300 million. But the chances of winning a smaller prize are much better, especially if you match the Powerball plus even 1 white ball number.
Do You Need to Match All 6 Numbers to Win?
The simple answer is no. You do not need to match all 6 numbers to win a Powerball prize. While matching all 6 numbers is required to win the multimillion dollar grand prize jackpot, there are 8 other ways to win with different combinations of numbers matched.
The second biggest prize is $1 million for matching just the 5 white ball numbers without the Powerball. The odds of hitting this are much better than the jackpot, at around 1 in 12 million.
After that, you can win smaller prizes ranging from $50,000 down to $4 just for matching the Powerball and/or 1, 2, or 3 white balls. Any combination that matches the Powerball or at least 1 white ball qualifies for a prize.
Here is a summary of all the ways to win Powerball prizes:
- Match 5 white balls + Powerball: Jackpot prize
- Match 5 white balls only: $1 million prize
- Match 4 white balls + Powerball: $50,000 prize
- Match 3 white balls + Powerball: $100 prize
- Match 3 white balls only: $100 prize
- Match 2 white balls + Powerball: $7 prize
- Match 1 white ball + Powerball: $4 prize
- Match Powerball only: $4 prize
So while having all 6 numbers gives you the multimillion dollar jackpot, matching just the red Powerball can still win you a $4 prize. And adding even 1 white ball to the Powerball improves your prize to $7.
What is the Minimum Number of Numbers You Need to Win?
The minimum number of numbers you need to match to win any Powerball prize is just the red Powerball. Matching the Powerball number alone has odds of 1 in 38 and wins a $4 prize.
This is the easiest way to win a Powerball prize. While the $4 prize is small, a 1 in 38 chance of winning something is pretty good odds for a lottery game. And Powerball tickets cost just $2 each.
While matching only the Powerball offers the best odds, it pays one of the smallest prizes. To have a chance at a bigger payout, you need to match at least 1 white ball number along with the Powerball.
Odds Increase Dramatically by Adding Just 1 White Ball Number
By matching just 1 white ball number plus the Powerball, your odds jump to 1 in 91 but your prize increases to $4. Matching 2 white balls plus the Powerball has odds of 1 in 701 but the prize goes up to $7.
Each additional white ball matched significantly increases your odds of winning but also boosts the potential prize payout. The more numbers you match, the higher your prize – but the lower your odds of winning.
Here are the odds and prizes based on matching the Powerball and at least 1 white ball:
| Match | Odds (1 in) | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| Powerball only | 38 | $4 |
| 1 white ball + Powerball | 91 | $4 |
| 2 white balls + Powerball | 701 | $7 |
| 3 white balls + Powerball | 36,525 | $100 |
| 4 white balls + Powerball | 913,129 | $50,000 |
As the table shows, your odds worsen but your potential prize increases for each additional white ball matched along with the red Powerball.
Key Takeaways
Here are the key points to remember:
- You need to match all 5 white balls plus the red Powerball to win the Powerball jackpot prize.
- The minimum number to win a Powerball prize is just the red Powerball for a $4 payout.
- Adding even 1 white ball number along with the Powerball boosts your prize.
- Each additional white ball matched increases your potential payout but lowers your odds of winning.
- There are 9 ways to win a Powerball prize – from the jackpot down to $4.
So in summary – no, you do not need to match all 6 numbers to win a Powerball prize. While hitting the jackpot may be a long shot, smaller prizes are still up for grabs even if you match just the Powerball or the Powerball plus a few other numbers. With 9 ways to win, Powerball offers exciting opportunities to walk away with some prize money!
Frequently Asked Questions
How many numbers are in Powerball?
Powerball uses 69 white balls numbered 1 to 69 and 26 red Powerballs numbered 1 to 26. So there are a total of 95 balls used for the drawings.
What are the chances of winning Powerball?
Your overall odds of winning any Powerball prize are around 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292 million.
Can you win money without the Powerball?
Yes, you can win by matching just the 5 white balls, without the Powerball, for a $1 million prize. The odds of this are around 1 in 12 million.
Has anyone won Powerball with just the Powerball number?
Yes, players have won $4 prizes by matching just the Powerball alone. While not a huge prize, it shows you don’t need many numbers to win.
Do more numbers increase your chances of winning?
Playing more number combinations does increase your overall chances of winning a prize. But each combination played decreases your odds of winning a particular prize.
Conclusion
Winning the massive Powerball jackpot requires incredibly long odds of matching all 6 numbers. But you don’t need to match nearly that many numbers to still have a shot at a prize. With 9 ways to win, Powerball offers exciting lottery action and the thrilling possibility of smaller prizes for just matching the red Powerball or the Powerball plus a few white ball numbers.
While hitting the jackpot may seem like a pipe dream, matching a couple numbers is within reach. For just $2 and a 1 in 24 chance overall of winning something, Powerball tickets provide the opportunity to walk away with some winnings. The lottery could change your life with a jackpot prize, but even smaller Powerball payouts can put a smile on your face.
