Powerball is one of the most popular lottery games in the United States. Every Wednesday and Saturday night, millions of people across the country eagerly await the Powerball drawing to see if they have won a life-changing jackpot. But even if you don’t match all the numbers, you can still win smaller prizes by matching some of the numbers drawn.
How Powerball Works
In order to play Powerball, you first need to purchase a ticket. This ticket costs $2 and allows you to choose five main numbers between 1 and 69, as well as one Powerball number between 1 and 26. During the drawing, five white balls are drawn from the first pool of 69 numbers, followed by the Powerball which is drawn from the second pool. The order in which the numbers are drawn does not matter.
The jackpot is won by matching all five white ball numbers in any order, as well as the red Powerball. The odds of hitting the jackpot are incredibly slim – 1 in 292,201,338 to be exact. This is why jackpots can grow into the hundreds of millions before someone finally wins.
Prize Breakdown
You don’t have to match all six numbers to win a prize in Powerball. The game offers eight other ways to win prizes ranging from $4 up to $1 million.
| Match | Prize Amount |
|---|---|
| 5 white balls + Powerball | Jackpot |
| 5 white balls | $1 million |
| 4 white balls + Powerball | $50,000 |
| 4 white balls | $100 |
| 3 white balls + Powerball | $100 |
| 3 white balls | $7 |
| 2 white balls + Powerball | $7 |
| 1 white ball + Powerball | $4 |
| Powerball only | $4 |
As you can see from the prize breakdown, matching at least 3 numbers is required to win any money playing Powerball. Getting 2 numbers or the Powerball only will win you a free $4 ticket that can be used to play again.
Odds of Winning
The odds of winning any Powerball prize are 1 in 24.9. But the odds for each different prize vary significantly based on how many numbers you need to match.
| Prize | Odds |
|---|---|
| Jackpot | 1 in 292,201,338 |
| $1 million | 1 in 11,688,053.52 |
| $50,000 | 1 in 913,129.18 |
| $100 | 1 in 36,525.17 |
| $7 | 1 in 579.76 |
| $4 | 1 in 91.98 |
As you can see, your odds of winning the jackpot are infinitesimally small. You are about 292 million times more likely to be struck by lightning in your lifetime than to hit the Powerball jackpot. But your odds improve dramatically for the smaller prizes. Matching just 3 numbers gives you a 1 in 38 chance of winning $7.
Odds Comparison
To better understand just how unlikely it is to win the jackpot, here is a comparison of odds for other rare events:
- Odds of being killed by lightning in your lifetime: 1 in 15,300
- Odds of dating a supermodel: 1 in 88,000
- Odds of getting a royal flush in poker: 1 in 649,740
- Odds of becoming president: 1 in 10 million
- Odds of winning an Olympic medal: 1 in 662,000
- Odds of climbing Mount Everest: 1 in 7,000
As you can see, you are significantly more likely to experience any of the above rare events than you are of winning the Powerball jackpot. So while it’s thrilling to dream of what you would do with hundreds of millions in prize money, keep your expectations realistic.
Increase Your Odds
The odds of winning Powerball are fixed, so there is no strategy that can improve your chances of winning the jackpot. However, there are some things you can do to increase your overall odds of winning any prize:
- Buy more tickets – Each ticket gives you an additional chance at winning
- Join an office pool – This allows you to buy more tickets and share winnings
- Buy a Power Play ticket – For an extra $1 per play, you can multiply non-jackpot winnings by up to 10 times
- Play less popular numbers – Avoid common patterns like birthdays to reduce splitting prizes
- Use lottery wheeling systems – Strategically pick numbers to maximize your prize coverage
The more tickets you buy, the better your chances are of winning. But keep in mind that even 20 tickets gives you just a 1 in 1,000 chance of winning $7. Buying 100 tickets improves your odds to 1 in 200. To have a decent shot at a significant prize, you would need to buy many thousands of tickets.
Tips for Playing
Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind when playing Powerball:
- Stick to your budget – Only spend what you can afford to lose on lottery tickets
- Never borrow money to play – Going into debt to play is reckless
- Think of tickets as entertainment – Expect to lose and don’t spend grocery money
- Aim for 3 matches – Hitting 3 numbers is reasonably attainable goal
- Avoid picking all high or low numbers – Mix it up for better coverage
- Don’t rely on Quick Picks – You don’t really know what numbers you have
- Check your ticket carefully – Make sure you didn’t make mistake when playing
- Sign the ticket – Prevent anyone else from cashing in your prize
- Protect losing tickets – You need them for tax purposes if you win
It’s important to be responsible and realistic when playing the lottery. Don’t get swept up in the excitement and spend more than you can afford. 3 matches is a reasonably likely outcome, while 4 or more matches involves substantial luck.
Should You Play?
Playing the lottery is essentially gambling, as the odds are overwhelmingly against you. You need to go in with the expectation that you will almost certainly lose money overall. For some people, buying the occasional Powerball ticket when the jackpot is high can be a fun form of entertainment on par with seeing a movie. Just don’t go overboard and risk money you can’t afford to lose.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many numbers are in the Powerball pool?
There are 69 numbers to choose from in the main Powerball pool. The secondary Powerball pool has 26 numbers.
What days are the Powerball drawings?
Powerball drawings take place every Wednesday and Saturday evening at 10:59 p.m. ET.
Can you buy Powerball tickets online?
In most states you can purchase Powerball tickets online through authorized lottery retailers. You typically need to be physically in the state you are playing in.
How late can you buy Powerball tickets?
Cut-off times for buying Powerball tickets vary by state, but typically sales stop 1-2 hours before the drawing on Wednesday and Saturday.
Can you win by matching just the Powerball?
No, matching only the Powerball number wins you a free $4 ticket to play again. You need to match at least 2 white balls plus the Powerball to win a cash prize.
What are the odds of winning $1 million?
The odds are 1 in 11,688,053.52 of matching 5 white balls to win $1 million. You do not need to match the Powerball for this prize.
Has anyone won the Powerball jackpot?
Yes, there have been numerous Powerball jackpot winners over the years. The record jackpot of $1.586 billion was split by 3 tickets in 2016.
What is the Power Play option?
Except for the jackpot, all prizes can be multiplied by up to 10 times with the Power Play for an extra $1 per ticket. Power Play is drawn separately.
Can you remain anonymous if you win?
Some states allow you to claim and receive your prize anonymously. Others require the winner’s identity to be made public.
Do you have to be a US citizen to play Powerball?
Yes, you must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident living in a participating state to purchase a Powerball ticket.
State Differences
While the basic rules and odds of Powerball are the same across the country, some specifics do vary by state. Here are some key differences to be aware of.
Playing By Mail
In the following states, you can purchase Powerball tickets by mail:
- Kansas
- Minnesota
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
You will need to use certified mail in order to play by mail. Tickets must be purchased 7-10 days prior to the draw date.
Power Play
These states do NOT offer the Power Play option to multiply your lower-tier winnings:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Hawaii
- Mississippi
- Nevada
- Utah
Taxes
The following states withhold state taxes from Powerball prizes over $5,000:
- Arizona – 5%
- Connecticut – 6.99%
- Minnesota – 7.25%
- New Jersey – 8%
- Pennsylvania – 3.07%
It’s a good idea to consult with a tax professional about the tax implications in your state before claiming a large Powerball prize.
Private Lotteries
In these states, Powerball tickets may only be sold through authorized state lotteries:
- Arizona
- Kansas
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Washington
Private lotteries and raffles with Powerball branding are prohibited in these states.
Key Takeaways
- You need to match at least 3 white balls to win a prize playing Powerball
- The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292 million
- Lower tier prizes range from $4 up to $1 million
- Buying more tickets increases your overall odds of winning
- Set a budget and don’t spend more than you can afford on tickets
- 3 matches is reasonably attainable – aim for this instead of the jackpot
- Be responsible, play for fun, and don’t go into debt playing the lottery
Conclusion
Winning the Powerball jackpot requires incredibly long odds that the average player is very unlikely to ever overcome. But matching at least 3 numbers to win a smaller prize is reasonably attainable with some persistent play. Just be sure to gamble responsibly and never risk money you can’t afford to lose. Powerball can provide some entertainment as long as you stick to your budget and keep expectations realistic. With some luck, you might just find yourself winning a nice prize!
