Powerball explained: How to play, win, and chase billion-dollar jackpots
No jackpot winner again — Powerball climbs to $579 million
Powerball fever continues to sweep across the United States, drawing millions of hopeful players each week with the promise of life-changing fortunes. Known for its record-shattering jackpots and massive payouts, the multi-state lottery has turned ordinary people into overnight millionaires while fueling dreams of striking it rich. From understanding how the game works to exploring the odds, rules, and biggest wins in history, here’s everything you need to know about Powerball.
What Is Powerball?
Powerball is one of the most popular and widely played lottery games in the United States, known for its record-breaking jackpots that often soar into the billions. It is available in 45 states, as well as Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, making it one of the largest multi-state lottery games in the country.
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How to Play
Playing Powerball is simple and costs $2 per ticket. A player selects five numbers from 1 to 69, which represent the white balls, and then chooses one number from 1 to 26, known as the red Powerball. Those who prefer not to pick their own numbers can use the Quick Pick option, where the system randomly generates numbers for them.
For an extra $1, players can add the Power Play feature, which multiplies non-jackpot prizes by 2, 3, 4, 5, or even 10 times, depending on the draw. This option can turn smaller wins into much larger payouts.
How to Win
Powerball offers nine different prize tiers, with the jackpot reserved for those who match all five white balls plus the red Powerball. Matching just the five white balls, without the Powerball, secures a $1 million prize. Other combinations yield prizes ranging from $4 to $50,000, and with Power Play, some of these can increase significantly.
Drawings
Powerball drawings are held three times a week—on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday—at 10:59 p.m. ET. The results are broadcast live and quickly posted online, with millions of players checking to see if their numbers have changed their lives overnight.
Biggest Jackpots
Over the years, Powerball has made headlines with some of the largest lottery prizes in history. The biggest ever was a staggering $2.04 billion won in California in November 2022. Another massive prize of $1.765 billion was claimed in California in October 2023, while a $1.586 billion jackpot in January 2016 was split between winners in California, Florida, and Tennessee. Michigan also made history in January 2024 with its largest jackpot of $842.4 million, sold at a Food Castle store in Grand Blanc.
Odds of Winning
The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are steep—just 1 in 292.2 million. However, the odds of winning any prize at all are much better, standing at 1 in 24.9. While hitting the jackpot is rare, millions of players win smaller prizes each year.
Key Facts
Powerball first launched in 1992 and has since grown into one of America’s most recognized lottery games. The jackpot always starts at a minimum of $20 million, rolling over and increasing each time no one wins. Beyond changing lives, Powerball also benefits the community, as a portion of ticket sales supports state programs, including education and public projects.
