Powerball is a favorite among lotto lovers, offering large prizes and fun entertainment. The potential of winning such a large prize lets lottery fans dream of all that’s possible with that amount of money. You can also add a Power Play to your $2 ticket and contribute to the excitement of increasing your winnings for any non-jackpot prize.
If you’re new to Powerball and have questions about how the game works in your state, let’s get some answers.
Understanding Powerball
We’ll take a look at how Powerball works.
Players choose five numbers from 69 white balls and one number from 26 red (or Power) balls to play. White balls may be drawn in any order and do not need to match the order on your ticket. The ticket will always show the numbers in numerical order for easy review to see if they match the numbers drawn. The goal is to match as many numbers as possible to increase the potential prize won.
Is Powerball nationwide? This fan-favorite is a multi-state lottery game played in 45 contiguous states, including Washington D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. It’s also overseen by the Multi-State Lottery Association. There are six states that do not have state lotteries and do not participate in Powerball: Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Mississippi, Nevada and Utah.
The odds of winning the grand prize are 1 in 292,201,338. It is possible to win a prize with as little as a single number if you match the red Powerball (you win $4). From there, the prizes increase depending on the number of matches made. If a prize is won other than the grand prize (where you match all five white numbers plus the red Powerball), it is possible to increase the prize if you play the Power Play.
Powerball Numbers Across States
Does your location make a difference?
People frequently wonder if Powerball numbers are the same in all states. The numbers are identical no matter where you are playing from and are not state-dependent, allowing the game to be fair for everyone who plays.
Because Powerball is the same in all states, it's possible to have two (or more) grand prize winners in different states (or even the same state!). When this happens, the prize is divided evenly among all grand prize winners.
The prizes are also the same from state to state. For example, if you match three numbers plus the Powerball or four numbers, the prize is $100, whether you live in Washington or Ohio. The one exception is California, where Powerball prizes are pari-mutuel and will vary depending on ticket sales and number of winners.
Powerball Guidelines
Powerball may be played in person or online (in participating states). Participants can choose the Quick Pick option to have their numbers randomly selected or pick their own lucky numbers. The Quick Pick option is available both in store and online!
Prior to 2021, drawings occurred twice per week. Since then, drawings have occurred three days per week, on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 PM ET. Monday’s were added to boost sales and increase jackpot amounts.
The selling jurisdiction determines the cut-off time for ticket sales. See your local lottery website for further information about the latest time to order your Powerball tickets. When playing the game online, the cut-off time is earlier to allow your lottery courier time to pick up your tickets on your behalf.
The minimum grand prize is $40 million. This increases based on the number of tickets sold for each drawing. If no one wins the grand prize, the jackpot rolls over to the next drawing until someone matches all five white balls plus the Powerball number. Prizes start with as little as one matching number and climb from there.
Take a look at the prize tiers:
Grand Prize: Match all five numbers and the Powerball number to win the biggest Powerball Jackpots.
Match 5: Match all five numbers to win $1 million
Match 4 + Powerball: Match four numbers and the Powerball to win $50,000
Match 4: Match four numbers to win $100
Match 3 + Powerball: Match three numbers and the Powerball to win $100
Match 3: Match three numbers to win $7
Match 2 + Powerball: Match two numbers and the Powerball to win $7
Match 2: No prize
Match 1 + Powerball: Match one number and the Powerball to win $4
Match 1: No prize
Match Powerball: Match the red Powerball to win $4
Powerball Differences Between States
The basic game is played the same across participating states but there are a few differences.
Powerball lottery rules can vary from state to state, adding an interesting twist to the game depending on your location. Differences included play options, taxes on winnings, and rules surrounding anonymity when claiming prizes.
For example, in California, Powerball prizes are pari-mutuel, which means they will vary depending on ticket sales and number of winners and may be a little different from the fixed prize amounts we’ve shown you above. There is no Power Play option, which typically multiplies non-jackpot prizes. Also in California, winners are subject to federal income tax, but the state does not impose additional state taxes on lottery prizes.
Each state also decides where the revenue generated from Powerball ticket sales goes, like various state programs and initiatives supporting education and other public services.
Additionally, states have unique rules regarding anonymity, allowing Powerball winners to keep their identities confidential if they wish or requiring them to make their name public. These distinctions highlight the nuanced landscape of Powerball gameplay across different states.
Ready to Powerball?
No matter where you are, Powerball numbers are consistent in every participating Powerball state. Try your luck at potentially life-changing prizes!
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