Everybody wishes they’d won this month’s $1 billion jackpot instead of the lesser rewards that will likely be awarded.
According to the California Lottery, a new billionaire was created on July 19 when a Powerball ticket bought at the Las Palmitas Mini Market in downtown Los Angeles, California, won the $1 billion prize.
The record-breaking Powerball jackpot of $2.04 billion that was won barely a year ago is an event that no one can forget. We doubt that you are one of the millions of individuals that visit our page daily. Do not fret, however.
The Powerball grand prize and the lesser awards
It’s quite unlikely that you’ll match all the numbers on your ticket, but even if you don’t, there are still plenty of lesser rewards that will make you happy.
As we squint our eyes open, we’re reminded that Sunday’s unclaimed Powerball jackpot is now an estimated $74 million. The drawing is scheduled for Monday night at 11pm ET / 8pm PT.
It’s more probable that you’ll win playing the slot machines at your neighborhood arcade than it is that you’ll win the jackpot there (the latter having chances of 1 in 292,201,338). But if you do decide to participate, keep in mind that the Powerball rewards start out much lower.
Powerball: How to Play
If you want to play Powerball, you’ll need to choose six numbers, two from each pool. Each player selects five numbers from 1 to 69 for the white balls and one number from 1 to 26 for the red ball, often known as the Powerball.
Powerball offers nine different ways to win, from $4 (winning back your original $2 investment + $2) to the jackpot. For an additional dollar, players may choose the “PowerPlay” option and raise their potential payout by a factor of two, three, four, or even five. Non-jackpot rewards of less than $1 million are eligible for PowerPlay. Win $1 million when you choose any PowerPlay number.
Find below the Powerball’s nine reward levels.
Except for California, where prize money is decided by sales and the number of winners, all other states have fixed amounts for the second through ninth awards. Here are the nine winning combinations, listed from lowest (and hence best) to largest (and thus worst) odds.
Powerball: $4 if you win
A winning Powerball ticket will earn its buyer four times their initial investment of two dollars. If you simply buy the Powerball, your chances of winning are 1 in 38.
With just 1 number and the Powerball, you may win $4.
Again, you’ll take home $4 if you choose one accurate number and the Powerball. This increases the probability to 1 in 91.
$7 for matching 2 numbers and the Powerball
The chances of winning increase to 1 in 701 if your ticket matches two numbers plus the Powerball, but you’ll still win $7.
Again, 3 digits, $7
The chances of winning with three accurate numbers are 579 to 1, but you’ll still only take home an extra $7 if you do.
$100 for matching 3 numbers and the Powerball.
If you buy a ticket and match three numbers plus the Powerball, you will win enough money to do something nice for yourself or someone else. The chances of actually getting that $100 increase to 1 in 14,494.
In 4 digits: $100
Purchasing a ticket with four numbers but no Powerball increases the chances to 36,525 to 1, but the payout remains at $100.
Those who correctly predict the Powerball and the first four numbers win $50,000.
Both the payout and the chance of winning with four numbers and the Powerball have increased significantly. If you can beat the 931,129-to-1 odds, you may use the cash reward of $50,000 to buy a new vehicle or finally go on that vacation you’ve been putting off. At this stage, the odds of being struck by lightning have increased from 500,000 to 1.
$1,000,000 in 5 digits
The chances of winning the $1 million jackpot are 11,688,053 to 1. To win, you must match the numbers on the five white balls drawn minus the Powerball.
The Entire Powerball Jackpot
Everyone who plays the lottery, and probably many who don’t, fantasizes about walking away with the jackpot, but what are the chances of really winning? With a mere 292,201,338 to 1 chance of purchasing a ticket that matches all five numbers plus the Powerball, the great majority of those who participate will keep hoping. The odds of being killed by a falling apple are fewer than one in a million.