On July 19, 2023, the Powerball lottery produced a new billionaire as a ticket purchased at the Las Palmitas Mini Market in downtown Los Angeles, California, according to the California Lottery.
And who could forget when a $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot was up for grabs? Despite the millions of people reading this website each day, we suspect that it probably wasn’t you. But don’t feel bad.
Powerball jackpot and the smaller prizes
Getting all the numbers right is pretty hard, nigh on impossible, but despite dreams of that elusive jackpot, there are many smaller prizes to put a smile on your face if you match some of the numbers in your ticket.
As we wake up and rub our eyes, we remember that the current Powerball jackpot stands at an estimated $176 million after nobody claimed the last prize. Wednesday’s draw will take place at 11 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. PT.
— Lottify (@LottifyApp) September 17, 2024Powerball was not hit tonight.
Jackpot for Wednesday, Sep. 18 has increased to $176,000,000! 💰💵💰
Good Luck! pic.twitter.com/rLaigYnfdF
The odds of winning the jackpot are estimated to be 1 in 292,201,338, so you’re more likely to claim a win at your local slot machine arcade than to win the grand prize. Additionally, as the jackpot grows in value so does the number of players trying to win. If you still choose to test your luck, it’s good to remember what the more modest, and statistically probable, Powerball prizes are.
How to play Powerball
When you play Powerball, you need to choose six numbers from two separate pools for the drawing. Players choose five numbers between 1 and 69 for the white balls and one number for a red ball, or Powerball, from 1 to 26.
There are a total of nine ways to win a prize in Powerball, ranging from $4, recovering your initial $2 buy-in plus $2, to the jackpot. Players can increase their prize amounts by spending an extra $1 for the “PowerPlay” option to win two, three, four, or even five times as much. However, the PowerPlay only applies to non-jackpot prizes below $1 million. Any PowerPlay number doubles the $1 million prize.
What are the nine prizes for the Powerball?
All states set the 2nd through 9th prizes at pre-determined amounts, except California, where all prize payouts are based on sales and the number of winners. The nine possible winning combinations are as follows, starting from the smallest, and thus the highest odds of winning.
The Powerball - $4
If your Powerball matches the one that is drawn you will get your $2 ticket purchase back and a couple bucks more, for a total of $4. The odds of your ticket matching only the Powerball is 1 in 38.
1 number plus the Powerball – still $4
If you choose one correct number plus the Powerball you’ll bring home $4 again. The odds more than double to a 1 in 91 chance.
2 numbers plus the Powerball - $7
If your ticket matches two numbers and the Powerball you’ll get $7 but the odds to get there begin to skyrocket to 1 in 701.
3 numbers - $7 again
The odds of getting three correct numbers are a bit better at 579 to 1, but you only take home another $7.
3 numbers plus the Powerball - $100
If you purchase a ticket that matches three numbers and the Powerball you’ll finally get back enough money to treat yourself or someone else to something special. The odds to get that you win the $100 cash prize jump to 1 in 14,494.
4 numbers - $100
The odds of buying a ticket containing four numbers without the Powerball almost double again to 36,525 to 1 chance, but the prize stays the same at $100.
The Wildest Rules You Didn't Know Powerball and Mega Millions Winners Must Follow After Hitting the Jackpot pic.twitter.com/RULMOixTUd
— People (@people) July 21, 2023
4 numbers plus the Powerball - $50,000
When you are able to correctly guess four numbers and the Powerball, the prize climbs greatly to $50,000. However, the much greater prize comes with significantly tougher odds: 931,129 to 1. You’re twice as lucky, or better said unlucky, to be hit by lightning at this point (500,000 to 1).
5 numbers - $1 million
To get the $1 million prize, you’ll need to match the numbers on the five white balls drawn without the Powerball and beat the 11,688,053 to 1 odds.
Powerball jackpot – The whole lot
Everyone who plays the lottery, and many who don’t, think about the prospect of taking home the big prize, but what are the odds of it actually happening?
The vast majority who do play will keep dreaming with the odds stacked seriously against them with just 292,201,338 to 1 shot of buying a ticket that matches all five numbers and the Powerball.
