The Powerball jackpot is soaring to new heights, reaching an estimated $1.55 billion with a cash value of $679.8 million. This increase comes after no winners emerged from Saturday’s drawing. The next drawing is scheduled for Monday, October 9 at 10:59 p.m. ET.
While this jackpot is the third-largest prize in Powerball history, it still has a way to go to surpass the record-setting $2 billion winning ticket sold in California last November. The previous Powerball jackpot to be claimed reached $1.08 billion when the winning ticket was sold in Los Angeles on July 19, making it the fourth-largest prize in the lottery’s history.
For those looking to try their luck for the first time, instructions on how to ask a cashier for a Powerball ticket are available. Powerball drawings occur three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 10:59 p.m. ET.
The winning numbers from the most recent drawing, which took place on Saturday, October 7, were 47, 54, 57, 60, and 65. The red Powerball was 19, and the Power Play was 3X. While there were no jackpot winners, there were $2 million Match 5 + Power Play winners in Iowa and Maine. Additionally, there were $1 million Match 5 winners in California, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts (2), Michigan, Ohio, Texas (2), and Wisconsin.
To participate in Powerball, players must pay $2 per play and select five numbers from 1 to 69 for the white balls, along with one number from 1 to 26 for the red Powerball. Winners can match their numbers in various combinations to win different prizes, ranging from the grand prize of 5 white balls + 1 red Powerball to smaller amounts for matching fewer numbers.
Players also have the option to increase their winnings through the Power Play, which multiplies non-jackpot wins up to 10 times for an additional $1 per play. It is important to note that all prizes are set cash amounts, except for the grand prize, which is determined by sales and the number of winners in California.
The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are one in 292,201,338, while the odds for the lowest prize of $4 for one red Powerball are one in 38.32. Powerball states that the overall odds of winning a prize are one in 24.87, based on a $2 play.
The largest Powerball jackpots ever won include a $2.04 billion prize from one winning ticket in California in November 2022, a $1.586 billion prize from three winning tickets in California, Florida, and Tennessee in January 2016, and the current $1.55 billion jackpot.
Tickets for Powerball can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores, grocery stores, and some airport terminals. Alternatively, players can buy tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in select U.S. states.
It is worth mentioning that Jackpocket offers the convenience of picking lottery games and numbers, placing orders, viewing tickets, and collecting winnings all from a phone or home computer. However, it is important to remember to gamble responsibly and seek help if needed.