Getting 4 of the 5 white ball numbers in the Powerball lottery is an exciting accomplishment for any player. While it does not win the grand jackpot prize, matching 4 numbers still offers substantial secondary prize rewards. So what exactly does happen when you get 4 winning Powerball numbers?
Do You Win Anything if You Get 4 Powerball Numbers?
Yes, getting 4 of the 5 white ball numbers correctly matched in Powerball results in a prize win. The Powerball game consists of 5 main numbers drawn from 1 to 69, and the Powerball number drawn separately from 1 to 26. To take home the multimillion dollar jackpot, you need to match all 5 white balls and the red Powerball. Matching 4 white balls without the Powerball still earns you an automatic secondary prize.
Powerball sets aside fixed prize rewards for players who get partial number matches. For hitting 4 main numbers, the prize payout is $100. This base amount can further multiply to $200, $10,000 or even $50,000 depending on if you added Power Play or played higher wager amounts.
Powerball 4 Main Number Prize Breakdown
Here is a breakdown of the secondary prizes you can win for matching 4 of the 5 white balls in Powerball:
- Match 4 White Balls = $100
- Match 4 White Balls + Power Play = $200
- Match 4 White Balls + Power Play (Power Play number drawn is 5x) = $1,000
- Match 4 White Balls + Power Play (Power Play number drawn is 10x) = $2,000
- Buy Power Play add-on for $1 more per play to multiply non-jackpot prizes by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x or 10x.
As you can see, the $100 for matching 4 numbers can quickly multiply into $200, $1,000 or even up to $10,000 when you add the Power Play option. Powerball offers the Power Play feature to boost the value of secondary prizes for just $1 extra per ticket.
What Are The Odds of Getting 4 Powerball Numbers?
The odds of hitting 4 numbers in Powerball stand at 1 in 913. That means you have a 1 in 913 chance of matching 4 out of 5 white balls correctly in a single Powerball drawing. Here are the Powerball odds for various prize levels:
- 5 Main + Powerball – 1 in 292,201,338
- 5 Main Numbers – 1 in 11,688,053.5
- 4 Main + Powerball – 1 in 36,525.17
- 4 Main Numbers – 1 in 913
- 3 Main + Powerball – 1 in 14,494.11
- 3 Main Numbers – 1 in 230.8
- 2 Main + Powerball – 1 in 701.33
- 1 Main + Powerball – 1 in 91.98
- Powerball Only – 1 in 38.32
As you can see, while not easy, hitting 4 numbers is one of the more attainable prize levels compared to matching 5 main numbers or the Powerball. With odds of 1 in 913, getting 4 numbers happens frequently among the millions of Powerball players.
Steps to Claim Your 4 Matching Number Prize
Claiming your 4 number prize takes just a few simple steps:
- Sign the back of your winning Powerball ticket immediately to secure it and establish ownership.
- Present your signed ticket at any authorized lottery retailer in your jurisdiction or at your state lottery headquarters.
- The retailer will validate your ticket to confirm it matches 4 numbers and owes the $100 prize or more if you played Power Play.
- You will receive your 4 number prize winnings in cash at the retail location or as a check from the state lottery office.
- Be sure to claim your prize within the required timeframe, which varies by state but is usually 180 days to 1 year from the draw date.
Just like that, you can walk away with $100 or more in your pocket for matching 4 numbers. Be sure to double check your ticket thoroughly against the drawing results before claiming to verify you have a winning match.
Should You Claim Smaller Powerball Prizes?
With 4 number Powerball prizes falling in the $100 to $10,000 range, some players wonder if they should even bother claiming such small wins compared to the game’s huge jackpots.
While hitting 4 numbers pays modest rewards, there are good reasons to claim these Powerball secondary prizes:
- It puts extra cash in your pocket you otherwise wouldn’t have.
- Claiming smaller prizes keeps you engaged in playing Powerball.
- It reminds you that lower tier wins do happen frequently.
- Unclaimed prizes in most states go back into the game’s prize pool.
- Skipping smaller prize claims robs you of the thrill of being a winner.
Even if $100 or $1,000 isn’t a huge life-changing amount, it’s still free money you are entitled to as a 4 number winner. Over time, claiming many smaller Powerball wins can add up.
Tips to Improve Your Chances of Matching 4 Numbers
While Powerball outcomes are entirely random, here are some tips to potentially increase your odds of hitting 4 main numbers:
- Buy multiple tickets in a single draw to have more number coverage.
- Join or form a lottery pool to gain more number combinations.
- Use a balanced number selection strategy like choosing a mix of low, high and mid-ranged numbers.
- Avoid picking all consecutive numbers or number patterns.
- Take advantage of Powerball promotions that give bonus tickets or prizes.
- Consider using lottery wheeling systems that help select potential winning number combinations.
Ultimately, sheer luck is the biggest factor in hitting your 4 numbers. But using smart play strategies can give your chances a slight boost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you win money for 3 matching Powerball numbers?
Yes, getting just 3 of the 5 white ball numbers right earns a $7 prize. With Power Play added, 3 matches can multiply to $14, $21, $35 or up to $70.
What is the biggest 4 number Powerball prize possible?
The maximum 4 number Powerball prize is $50,000 when played with Power Play and the drawn Power Play multiplier is 10X.
Do Powerball numbers have to be in order to win?
No, Powerball numbers do not have to be in exact order to win prizes. The 5 main numbers can match in any order to win.
Has anyone ever won Powerball by choosing 1-2-3-4-5?
Incredibly, a woman in North Carolina won $1 million in Powerball by choosing the unlikely numbers 1-2-3-4-5. Her win goes to show any single Powerball ticket has a chance!
Can you win money for just the Powerball number?
Yes, matching just the Powerball number alone wins a $4 prize. This can grow to $8, $12, $20 or $40 with the Power Play multiplier.
Winners of Matching 4 Powerball Numbers
While they fell short of the grand prize, here are some notable examples of winners who matched 4 numbers playing Powerball:
- A Delaware woman won $50,000 after matching 4 white balls and using Power Play to multiply her prize by 10X.
- A group of coworkers in Missouri split a $50,000 prize for getting 4 numbers on a joint Powerball ticket.
- An Oregon man landed a $10,000 prize after matching 4 numbers plus the Powerball.
- A lottery club from North Carolina hit 4 numbers across multiple Powerball tickets to combine for $2,000 in winnings.
These examples show that 4 number winners can take home substantial rewards. Matching 4 numbers may not earn the jackpot, but can still result in exciting prize payouts.
Can You Win Cash Prizes Without Matching All Powerball Numbers?
Yes, you absolutely can win money without matching all 5 white balls or the Powerball. Powerball offers fixed secondary prizes for getting just 2, 3 or 4 of the winning numbers.
Here is a table summarizing the Powerball prizes for partial number matches:
| Numbers Matched | Prize Amount |
|---|---|
| 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 seen above, you have excellent chances to win money even without the jackpot by matching just 2, 3 or 4 numbers. And adding Power Play can further boost these secondary prizes.
Should You Play Powerball Just For Lower Tier Prizes?
Trying to win just small or mid-tier Powerball prizes instead of the jackpot is a viable strategy. Here are some potential upsides to focusing on secondary prizes:
- Odds of winning smaller prizes are substantially better.
- Can win consistent medium amount prizes over time.
- Takes pressure off needing to hit the 1 in 292 million jackpot.
- Smaller prize wins still add up over many drawings.
- Provides affordable entertainment without huge investment.
- Allows managing play budget and risk versus chasing a massive jackpot.
While the huge jackpot understandably gets all the attention, playing Powerball just for secondary prizes can be rewarding. Matching even 2 or 3 numbers happens frequently and offers the thrill of smaller wins.
Key Takeaways
- Hitting 4 of 5 white ball numbers in Powerball earns a $100 prize.
- Adding Power Play can multiply a 4 number win up to $10,000.
- The odds of matching 4 numbers is around 1 in 913.
- Smaller wins still add up over time when claimed consistently.
- Winning just secondary prizes is a viable way to enjoy Powerball on a budget.
In the end, 4 matching Powerball numbers is an exciting result. While not enough for the jackpot, this near win brings you serious cash rewards. So be sure to carefully check your numbers, because those 4 matches could be worth $100, $200 or even up to $10,000 with the Power Play!