Winning the Powerball jackpot is incredibly difficult, but you can still win smaller prizes by matching some of the numbers. If you match just one number in the Powerball drawing, you won’t win the jackpot, but you will win a prize. So how much do you win if you match only one Powerball number? Here’s a quick overview of Powerball prizes for matching one number:
Quick Answer
If you match only one number in the Powerball drawing, you win $4. This assumes you bought a $2 Powerball ticket and played the Power Play option for an extra $1. The $4 prize represents a $2 base prize plus a 2x Power Play multiplier.
Breaking Down the Powerball Prizes
Let’s take a closer look at how the Powerball prizes work for matching one number:
- The Powerball drawing selects 5 white balls numbered 1-69 and 1 red Powerball numbered 1-26.
- To win the jackpot, you must match all 5 white balls and the red Powerball.
- Lower tier prizes are won by matching at least 1 white ball, with increasing prizes for matching 2, 3, 4, or 5 white balls.
- The Power Play option multiples non-jackpot prizes by up to 10x for an extra $1 per play.
For matching just one number, the base prize is $4. However, most players purchase the Power Play option for an additional $1 per ticket. This multiplies the $4 prize by either 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x, depending on the Power Play number drawn. Currently, the Power Play most commonly multiplies prizes by 2x or 3x.
So with the standard 2x Power Play multiplier, matching one number wins you $4 x 2 = $8. Since you paid $2 for the Powerball ticket plus $1 for the Power Play, your net prize is $8 – $3 = $5. Your $3 investment yields a $5 return for matching one number and playing Power Play.
The Powerball Number Matrix
To further understand the Powerball prizes, it helps to look at the 5/69 x 1/26 matrix of numbers you need to match:
| Numbers Matched | Prize Odds | Prize Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 5 white balls + PB | 1 in 292,201,338 | Jackpot |
| 5 white balls | 1 in 11,688,053 | $1 Million |
| 4 white balls + PB | 1 in 913,129 | $50,000 |
| 4 white balls | 1 in 36,525 | $100 |
| 3 white balls + PB | 1 in 14,494 | $100 |
| 3 white balls | 1 in 579 | $7 |
| 2 white balls + PB | 1 in 701 | $7 |
| 1 white ball + PB | 1 in 91 | $4 |
| 0 white balls + PB | 1 in 38 | $4 |
As you can see, matching one white ball wins the minimum $4 base prize. With the Power Play, this becomes $8 frequently or up to $40 at the maximum 10x multiplier.
The Impact of the Power Play
The Power Play option is key to multiplying your one number prize. Here’s a breakdown of how it works:
- Adds $1 per ticket to play Power Play.
- Multiplier drawn from 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, 10x before main draw.
- 2x and 3x are the most common multipliers.
- Multiplies all non-jackpot prizes won on ticket.
- Jackpot not eligible for Power Play multiplier.
- Increases chances of bigger prize for one extra dollar.
Statistically, the Power Play delivers a positive expected return on your $1 investment. For matching one number, it turns a $4 prize into $8 or $12 most of the time. Occasionally you may hit the 10x for $40, but likely not often.
Powerball Odds and Probabilities
While winning any Powerball prize is exciting, you realistically have very low odds of winning with one number. Here are the key probabilities:
- Odds of matching one white ball: 1 in 69
- Odds of matching the red Powerball too: 1 in 26
- Combined odds of one white ball and the Powerball: 1 in 1,764
- Odds of matching one white ball only: 1 in 91
As you can see, the chances of hitting one white ball OR the Powerball is about 1 in 91. With two Powerball drawings per week, you can expect to win this $4 prize about once every 7-8 years if you play consistently.
The odds are stacked heavily against winning. But the appeal of the life-changing jackpot keeps players coming back for a chance to win.
Calculating Your Expected Return
While your odds of profiting from a Powerball ticket bought for one drawing are low, over the long run of playing consistently, you can expect a nominal positive return. Here is how the math works out:
- Cost of one ticket: $2 base + $1 Power Play = $3
- Prize for matching 1 number with 2x Power Play: $4 x 2 = $8
- Net return per 1 number win: $8 – $3 = $5
- Odds of 1 number win: 1 in 91
- Expected net return: ($5 prize x 1/91 odds) – $3 cost = $0.0549 or about 5 cents.
For every $3 spent, you can expect to net 5 cents in the long run. While not a big return, it is slightly positive, making Powerball a fun form of entertainment with a minimal cost over time.
Ways to Improve Your Odds
While winning prizes with one number is rare, there are some strategies you can use to improve your Powerball odds:
- Buy more tickets – more tickets equals more chances to win
- Join an office pool to buy lots of tickets
- Use a lottery wheeling system to generate more number combinations
- Focus your number picks on hot Powerball numbers
- Avoid choosing all high or low numbers
- Cover more numbers with multiple play slips
- Use quick pick for randomly generated numbers
None of these strategies are guaranteed to help you win. But they can marginally increase your odds in different ways. Having more number coverage is key when playing a game with such high jackpot odds.
Winning with Just the Powerball
You actually still have a chance to win $4 if you match just the red Powerball and none of the white balls. Here are the key points on winning with only the Powerball number:
- Odds of matching the Powerball alone are 1 in 38.
- $4 base prize for this match.
- With Power Play becomes $8, $12, $16, etc.
- Slightly better odds than matching one white ball.
- Still very unlikely, but possible to win.
Winning with just the Powerball is akin to choosing heads or tails on a coin flip. There’s about a 50/50 shot. But over a long period of time, you should expect to win this prize occasionally.
Can You Win Money with No Number Matches?
Unfortunately, it is impossible to win a Powerball prize without matching any of the numbers. All prizes require that you match either one white ball OR the red Powerball at the very minimum. So if none of your numbers come up, you did not win anything.
Other Facts About Winning with One Number
Here are some additional facts to consider about hitting one number in Powerball:
- You’ll need to match one white ball or just the Powerball.
- No need to match both a white ball and the Powerball.
- Most one number winners match only a single white ball.
- The Powerball alone yields slightly better odds.
- A one number win nets you a $4 base prize.
- Playing Power Play can boost this to $8 or more.
- Your overall odds of winning any prize are about 1 in 24.
One number wins are the smallest Powerball prizes. But they’re also the most likely besides winning absolutely nothing. Getting that $4 or $8 prize can add a nice extra profit to your Powerball play over time.
Taxes on One Number Wins
Since even one number Powerball wins are considered gambling winnings, you must pay taxes on these prizes no matter how small. Here are some key tax rules:
- Federal taxes of 24% are withheld on winnings over $600.
- State taxes may also be withheld, depending on where you live.
- Winnings under $600 are not subject to withholding.
- You must report all winnings on your tax return.
- Winning taxes can be deducted as gambling losses up to your total winnings.
- Keep detailed records of all your lottery expenditures.
Unless you have other gambling winnings, one number Powerball wins likely won’t have any tax impact. Just be sure to keep records to deduct against any future lottery tax obligations.
FAQs – One Number Powerball Wins
How much is a one number Powerball win?
Matching one number wins $4 base prize. With Power Play, likely $8 or $12.
What are the odds of winning with one Powerball number?
About 1 in 91 to match one white ball. 1 in 38 for just the Powerball.
Can you win money with just the Powerball?
Yes, matching only the Powerball wins the minimum $4 prize. Up to $40 with a 10x Power Play.
Do taxes get taken out of one number wins?
Federal taxes only apply to wins over $600. One number wins are under this threshold.
What’s the easiest Powerball prize to win?
Matching one white ball or just the Powerball offers the best odds. But still unlikely at about 1 in 100.
The Bottom Line
Winning any Powerball prize with just one matching number is thrilling but fairly uncommon. You’ll either match one white ball or just the red Powerball to win $4. Playing the Power Play option for an extra $1 per ticket can boost this to $8 or up to $40 at the rare 10x multiplier. One number wins don’t happen often, but they do offer a nominal positive return over time for consistent players. Don’t expect to break even, let alone profit, from just buying one Powerball ticket. But over thousands of plays, you can expect to recoup some of your costs back in the form of small one number prizes.