Powerball is one of the most popular lottery games in the United States. The game offers exciting jackpots that can be worth hundreds of millions of dollars. While the odds of winning the jackpot are incredibly slim at 1 in 292 million, matching fewer numbers can still result in decent prizes. If you match two numbers in Powerball, you won’t become an instant millionaire, but you can still win a prize. In this article, we’ll take a look at the Powerball game structure and payouts to see what you can win if you match two numbers.
How Powerball Works
Powerball is a multi-state lottery game operated by the Multi-State Lottery Association. To play, you pick 5 main numbers from 1 to 69 and 1 Powerball number from 1 to 26. On draw night, the lottery pulls 5 main numbers and the Powerball to generate the winning number combination.
To win the jackpot, you need to match all 5 main numbers and the Powerball. The jackpot starts at $40 million and continues growing until someone wins it. Lower tier prizes are awarded for matching some but not all of the numbers.
The Power Play add-on feature available in most states can multiply non-jackpot prizes by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x for an extra $1 per play. We’ll look at how the Power Play multiplier impacts the 2-number match prize next.
Prize for Matching 2 Numbers
If you match just 2 of the main numbers correctly in Powerball, you’ll win a base prize of $7. Historically, the overall odds of hitting 2 numbers are about 1 in 61. This makes the 2-number prize one of the easiest prizes to win in the game.
While $7 may seem very small, especially compared to Powerball’s mammoth jackpots, it’s still $7 more than the $0 you’d win if you matched fewer numbers. Plus, the 2-number prize gets multiplied if you added Power Play when you bought your ticket.
With the Power Play Multiplier
If you match 2 numbers and played with Power Play, the $7 prize is increased based on that night’s Power Play number:
| Power Play Number | Prize Amount |
|---|---|
| 2X | $14 |
| 3X | $21 |
| 4X | $28 |
| 5X | $35 |
| 10X | $70 |
As you can see, the Power Play feature can take your $7 two-number prize up to $70 if the 10X multiplier is drawn that night. While $70 isn’t huge, it’s definitely a nice bonus payout for the $1 extra you paid when you bought your ticket.
The Power Play number is drawn shortly after the main numbers on draw night. The 10X multiplier is drawn by random from a separate pool of numbers. The other multipliers of 2X, 3X, 4X, and 5X are each drawn once during the 10 Power Play pools that rotate each drawing. This means your chances of hitting the top 10X prize for matching 2 numbers are about 1 in 43.
Odds of Matching 2 Numbers
The odds of winning $7 for matching 2 numbers in Powerball are about 1 in 61. This statistic means if you buy 61 Powerball tickets, you can expect to match 2 numbers about once, on average. Here is a breakdown of the probabilities:
- Chance to match no numbers (0 hits): 1 in 38
- Chance to match 1 number (1 hit): 1 in 24
- Chance to match 2 numbers (2 hits): 1 in 61
- Chance to match 3 numbers (3 hits): 1 in 693
- Chance to match 4 numbers (4 hits): 1 in 19,000
- Chance to match 5 numbers (5 hits): 1 in 1.7 million
As you can see, hitting 2 numbers with Powerball offers much more favorable odds than hitting 3 or more numbers. While the 2-number prize is small, your chances of winning it are relatively good compared to other prize levels.
Increasing Your Chances to Win
If you want to increase your odds of matching 2 numbers and snagging a $7 or multiplied prize, there are a couple smart play strategies to employ:
Buy Multiple Tickets
This is the most straightforward approach. Each Powerball ticket you buy gets you another chance at hitting 2 numbers. Instead of hoping to get lucky on one ticket, buy several in the same draw to gain more chances to win.
Join an Office Pool
Joining your workplace Powerball pool or starting one with friends lets you gather more tickets for just a small contribution. By pooling money, your group can afford more tickets and maximize its probability of winning a prize.
Use a Lottery Wheeling System
Lottery wheeling systems group number combinations in smart ways that increase your odds of matching 2 or more numbers. Wheeling systems cost more than random tickets since you need to buy multiple tickets to cover all combinations, but wheeling provides structured coverage of the number pool.
Playing Responsibly
While winning $7 or $70 may not seem like much, it’s important to always play the lottery responsibly. Limit your play to what you can afford for fun and entertainment. Avoid chasing losses and thinking of lottery play as a way to make money. Gambling irresponsibly can lead to financial ruin and emotional distress.
If you feel you have a gambling problem, call the National Problem Gambling Helpline in the U.S. at 1-800-522-4700 for confidential help. Keep lottery play lighthearted and enjoyable by playing responsibly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about winning with 2 numbers in Powerball:
Can you win money if you only match 1 number?
No, matching just 1 number in Powerball does not win any prize. You need to match at least 2 numbers to win the base $7 prize.
What are the 5 most common Powerball numbers?
The 5 most frequently drawn Powerball main numbers are 61, 32, 21, 63, and 69. The most common Powerball (the 6th number) is 24. You could include some or all of these popular numbers on your plays.
What night is the Powerball drawing?
Powerball drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET. Make sure to buy your ticket before sales cut-off 1 to 2 hours before the drawing.
Where does Powerball money go?
Powerball ticket sales are split between funding jackpot prizes, lower-tier prizes, retailer commissions, and profit for each state’s education fund. State lotteries contribute a portion of sales to educational programs.
Can Powerball numbers repeat?
Yes, the same Powerball numbers can be drawn multiple times. However, the odds of a repeat combination are astronomical because there are millions of possible number combinations.
The Bottom Line
Matching 2 numbers in Powerball will win you $7 with the base play or up to $70 if you added the Power Play option for $1 extra. While this isn’t a massive prize, the odds of hitting 2 numbers are about 1 in 61, making it one of the easier Powerball prizes to win. Use smart play strategies like buying multiple tickets, joining a pool, or using a lottery wheel to boost your odds. Just remember to always play responsibly and have fun.
