9 ways you can win money in the Powerball jackpot
The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.87. The odds presented here are based on a $2 play (rounded to two decimal places).
Different ways to win powerball
Jackpot winners may choose to receive their prize as an annuity, paid in 30 graduated payments over 29 years, or a lump-sum payment.
All lower-tier prizes are set cash amounts.
In California, prize payout amounts are pari-mutuel and determined by sales and the number of winners.
Prize Chart
Powerball® Odds
The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.87. The odds presented here are based on a $2 play (rounded to two decimal places).
Power Play® Odds When 10X Multiplier is Available
The 10X multiplier is only in play when the advertised jackpot is $150 million or less.
| Power Play | Prize Times Power Play | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 10x | Prize Won Times 10 | 1 in 43 |
| 5x | Prize Won Times 5 | 2 in 43 |
| 4x | Prize Won Times 4 | 3 in 43 |
| 3x | Prize Won Times 3 | 13 in 43 |
| 2x | Prize Won Times 2 | 24 in 43 |
Power Play® Odds When 10X Multiplier is Not Available
| Power Play | Prize Times Power Play | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 5x | Prize Won Times 5 | 2 in 42 |
| 4x | Prize Won Times 4 | 3 in 42 |
| 3x | Prize Won Times 3 | 13 in 42 |
| 2x | Prize Won Times 2 | 24 in 42 |
All winning tickets must be redeemed in the state/jurisdiction in which they are sold. © Multi-State Lottery Association. All Rights Reserved.
9 ways you can win money in the Powerball jackpot
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- A $1.2 billion Powerball jackpot is up for grabs on Wednesday’s drawing.
- It would be the third-largest jackpot ever.
- But even if you don’t win the jackpot, there are several ways to emerge victorious and a little richer.
On Wednesday, Oct. 4, the Powerball drawing will put a staggering $1.2 billion jackpot prize on the table in what would be the 3rd largest lottery prize in US history.
After 11 weeks without a win, the hefty prize has climbed to an estimated cash value of $551.7 million. The next drawing comes after someone won the $1.35 billion Mega Millions prize in January, and another person won a record $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot in November 2022.
But even if the jackpot evaded you thus far, there are several other ways to emerge richer in future games.
For the uninitiated Powerball players who decide to impulsively purchase a ticket, we’re here to break down all the possible ways you can win. You know, just in case.
First, the basics: The Powerball lotto is made up of six total numbers randomly selected three times per week. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. EST, a live drawing is held. All the numbers are printed on white or red balls and placed into an automated machine, which spits out the winning digits.
The first five numbers (white) are between 1 and 69. The final number (red) is called the Powerball. It can be anywhere between 1 and 26.
When purchasing a ticket, players can select all six numbers themselves or do a “quick pick” and receive a randomly generated set of numbers. Tickets are $2 each, but you can pay an extra $1 at the time of purchase to upgrade your ticket to “Power Play.”
The “Power Play” add-on means your cash prize will, at minimum, double if you have a winning ticket for anything other than the grand prize jackpot.
So, what exactly are the winning tickets (aside from the jackpot)? The possible winning tickets and their cash prizes are as follows:
- Match all 5 white numbers only — $1 million
- Match 4 out of 5 white numbers + Powerball — $50,000
- Match 4 white numbers only — $100
- Match 3 white numbers + Powerball — $100
- Match 3 white numbers only — $7
- Match 2 white numbers + Powerball — $7
- Match 1 white number + Powerball — $4
- Powerball only — $4
The “Power Play” bonus is announced at the drawing time and does not apply to the jackpot winnings. If you’ve matched all five white numbers and selected “Power Play” at the time of your ticket purchase, you will win $2 million (instead of the standard $1 million). For all other prizes, the “Power Play” bonus will either be 2x, 3x, 4x, or 5x your winnings.
The overall odds of winning any of the prizes starting at $4 is 1 in 24.87. But the chance of walking away with the jackpot is much slimmer: 1 in 292 million. On the off-chance you do take home a lump sum, don’t forget to hire a lawyer. Most states give players at least 180 days to come forward.
Editor’s note: This story was first published in January 2016 and has been updated to reflect recent developments.
Kim was an entertainment correspondent for Insider. She was best known as Insider’s resident “Game of Thrones” analyst, and authored “The Unofficial Guide to Game of Thrones.” Kim moderated panels for the annual Con of Thrones fan convention and made guest appearances on podcasts including “Night’s Cast,” “Bald Move,” and “Game of Owns.” She co-hosts the “House of the Dragon” unofficial recap podcast “A Cast of Kings.”Kim covered other sci-fi and fantasy series, including “Stranger Things,” “Dark,” “Westworld,” “The OA,” and more. Kim graduated from Hunter College with a degree in cultural anthropology.
Erin Snodgrass is a reporter for Insider’s California news team. As a general news reporter, she covers a variety of topics, including geopolitical conflicts, history, courts, education, and California migration. She also writes frequently about the war in Ukraine and its impacts. Before joining Insider, Erin worked with InvestigateTV and Česká televize. She graduated from Loyola University New Orleans in 2020 with a degree in journalism and a minor in political science. Her work has also been published in The Olympian and on Nola.com. She can be reached by email at [email protected] or on X as @erinsnod.
Katie Balevic is a Reporter on the Weekend News team. Her coverage at Insider focuses on breaking news, politics, and systemic inequality. Before joining Insider, Katie worked as a freelancer for The Sun and Austonia. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, where she studied journalism, government, and Russian language. You can reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter @KatieBalevic. Please note that harassment or spam will be deleted and, if necessary, reported.
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