How To Play The Powerball
Image source: Flickr
So What Is Powerball?
Simply put, Powerball is a multi-state lottery that runs in all US states bar six. In 1992 it replaced the Lotto America Lottery and uses two drums for draws. One drum contains the white balls and the other for the red balls. These latter ones are the Powerballs, which give the lottery it’s name. The actual lottery offers just the one major jackpot prize, though they are other smaller cash prizes in the offering.. But here’s the thing. Every draw that doesn’t produce a winner, causes the jackpot to “roll over. This just means that it’s that much bigger for the next draw.
How Does The Powerball Draw Work?
Every Wednesday and Saturday, switch on your TV at exactly 10:12 Central Time. Grab some snacks and a beer whilst you’re at it. The draw takes place at Universal Studios in Florida. The winner is named on the draw show, along with all other types of media. To win the Powerball, you’ll be needing to match all the white balls AND the red ball. This last bit is important. Now if no-one picks the six winning numbers, then the jackpot will roll over for the next draw. For some totally illogical reason, as the jackpot climbs ever higher, more people pile in and buy tickets. Weird because more ticket sales equals greater odds, according to the best jackpot site ratings.
How Much is the Powerball Prize Money?
The jackpot starts at around a mere $40 million. Every time it rolls over the sum goes up by around another $10 million. Often the jackpot prize goes into the hundreds of million’s of $. The largest payout was of $1.6 billion and was paid out in 2016. There are also other cash prizes ranging from $4 to $2 million. It all depends on the number of correct numbers guessed.
Play The Powerball: How Much Are Powerball Tickets?
A basic Powerball ticket will set you back a staggering $2. For the exorbitant sum of $1 extra, you can add the PowerPlay option. This increases the size of your winnings if you correctly identify one of the five qualifying numbers. So, for those a little behind in math, the total cost of a ticket is $3.
How Does the PowerPlay Work?
If you decide to spend the extra $1 when you buy your Powerball ticket, then you’ll have access to the PowerPlay. With this, any numbers you correctly call will be multiplied by a randomly drawn value of between 2 and 5. If the jackpot is worth less than a sorry $150 million, then a 10 x multiplier is added. The actual payout for the PowerPlay works slightly differently. The prize of $1 million for guessing 5 x correct balls is doubled if you have purchased the PowerPlay option.
How Do I Play the Powerball?
OK, now pay attention! As we previously stated, the Powerball is a two drum draw. The first drum holds 69 white balls and the second 26 red balls. When you purchase your ticket you’ll be needing to fill in five numbers. These are coming from the first drum. If all your numbers come up, in any order, then you’re a winner baby. But if you don’t pick the correct red Powerball, then join all the losers standing in the corner over there. You can pick the numbers yourself, or have a machine do it for you (are people really that lazy!).
Do Powerball Numbers Have to Be In the Right Order to Win?
Short answer, as above, is no. When you play the Powerball the order of the numbers doesn’t matter. As long as the numbers are the same as those drawn, then all is good. But, you must also correctly guess the red Powerball in order to win.
How Many Balls Do You Need to Win a Powerball Prize?
To win a Powerball prize, you only have to pick the one Red Powerball, and you’ll win a prize. Just picking the Powerball will win you the princely sum of $4. Hell, yeah, you doubled your money. Right now you’re a winner baby! So, again for those retarded at math, you have a 1:26 chance of doubling your initial investment.
Play The Powerball: All Payouts:
Basic Payouts For When You Play the Powerball:
5 Correct White Balls and the Powerball: Jackpot (starts at $40 million, has no upper limit)
5 Correct White Balls, but no Powerball: $1,000,000
4 Correct White Balls and the Powerball: $10,000
4 Correct White Balls, but no Powerball: $100
3 Correct White Balls and the Powerball: $100
3 Correct White Balls, but no Powerball: $7
2 Correct White Balls and the Powerball: $7
1 Correct White Ball and the Powerball: $4
No White Balls, Just the Powerball: $4
Payouts for Powerball with PowerPlay:
5 Correct White Balls and the Powerball: Jackpot
5 Correct White Balls, but no Powerball: $2,000,000
4 Correct White Balls and the Powerball: $20,000 – $100,000*
4 Correct White Balls, but no Powerball: $200 – $1,000*
3 Correct White Balls and the Powerball: $200 – $1,000*
3 Correct White Balls, but no Powerball: $14 – $70*
2 Correct White Balls and the Powerball: $14 – $70*
1 Correct White Ball and the Powerball: $8 – $40*
No White Balls, Just the Powerball: $8 – $40*
Play the Powerball: Odds of Winning Powerball?
Powerball.com lists the odds of winning a Powerball prize1. As of February 25, 2020, the odds were listed as follows:
5 White Balls and Powerball (Jackpot): 1 in 292,201,338
5 White Balls, but no Powerball: 1 in 11,688,053.52
4 Correct White Balls and the Powerball: 1 in 913,129.18
4 Correct White Balls, but no Powerball: 1 in 36,525.17
3 Correct White Balls and the Powerball: 1 in 14,494.11
3 Correct White Balls, but no Powerball: 1 in 579.76
2 Correct White Balls and the Powerball: 1 in 701.33
1 Correct White Ball and the Powerball: 1 in 91.98
No White Balls, Just the Powerball: 1 in 38.32
Overall Odds of Winning Any Prize: 1 in 24.87
What Is the Powerball Multi-Draw?
This let’s you play the same numbers with up to 26 consecutive draws at the same time.Using the Multi-draw ensures that you don’t miss any draws. Another option is the Future Drawing which allows you to say on what dates you want your ticket placed in the draw. A nice present for someones birthday or anniversary.
Is There a Secret to Winning Powerball?
Yes there is! Send me a boat load of drugs and hookers and I’ll tell you. maybe not. The actual Powerball on it’s website FAQ has a wonderful piss-take where they suggest, (with a straight face) that if you buy every numbered red Powerball, then you will win something. So, by spending £52, you stand to win $4. Genius! And people question why the US economy is so awful. No, take it from us, there is no secret as the balls are drawn at random. It’s just a bit of fun with some small change. You can share the lottery with friends or co-workers. This’ll increase your chances of winning. Or just give them the cash rather than wasting it.
Play The Powerball: Is Playing Powerball Worthwhile?
Now here’s tough question. The obvious answer is a big fat no. At the turn of the century, most states actually banned lotteries as they were seen, correctly, as a form of underhand tax on the poor. You’ll note that your average upper middle class family is not playing the lottery. In the US 1 in 5 people believe the way to get rich is to win the lottery. That’s a mighty sad indictment of American society. It gives proof to the all American lie that anyone can make it in the US of A.
Which States Do Not Participate in the Powerball Lottery?
Sensible ones! You can’t find play the Powerball in Alaska, Hawaii, Mississippi or Utah and Nevada.
How Will You Know When You Win the Powerball Lottery?
Just check your numbers. Or the internet. It’s not hard. just keep in mind, if someone contacts you claiming to be from the lottery company, it a scam (it’s actually me!). If you do win ( remember those $4!) then move your butt off to the place where you bought your ticket. If you bought it at the online jackpot sites, just follow the instructions. easy.
