Dreaming of the day you win a prize with Powerball? The odds of winning the grand prize are one in 292,201,338, but that doesn’t keep lotto lovers from trying their luck. Just don’t forget: there are smaller prizes, too.
One of the most popular questions we hear about Powerball is this: Do you win anything if you have one number? Or, what happens if you match two Powerball numbers? Three numbers? Let’s look at the Powerball winning tiers and the different possibilities.
Understanding Powerball Prizes
Here is the prize structure to get a better understanding of how Powerball works.
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
So, do you win anything for one number in Powerball? Only if the matching number is the red “Powerball number” itself. You’ll win a $4 prize which covers the cost of a Powerball ticket plus a little extra to boot. The odds of this happening are 1 in 38.
(Related: Biggest Lottery Win in Every State)
Understanding Powerball Number Combinations
You can win a prize with as little as a single number so long as that number is the red Powerball. Let’s take a look at what happens when you start matching more numbers.
Matching Two Numbers For Powerball
You can potentially win a small prize of $4 with just one number plus the Powerball for a two-number combination. Matching two numbers plus the Powerball wins you the same prize as matching three numbers ($7). So make sure to check your ticket when you play Powerball and match two numbers.
Matching Three Numbers For Powerball
Matching three numbers on your Powerball ticket is where the prizes start to add up. The prizes start to increase in value with the more numbers you match. If you happen to match three numbers plus the Powerball number, the prize jumps from $7 to $100.
The odds of matching three numbers on the Powerball are 1 in 580. The odds of getting three numbers and the Powerball? 1 in 14,494.
Exploring Other Ways to Win on Powerball
Enter the Power Play.
For an additional $1, you can add Power Play to your Powerball ticket which will multiply any non-jackpot amount won if you do win. This amount can be anywhere from 2x to 5x to even 10x the prize won. So if you win the $4 prize, and you’ve also added the Power Play to your ticket, your $4 prize turns into a minimum of $8 won. If the 10x multiplier is available, that $4 prize could turn into $40.
When the 10X is offered (for jackpots $150 million or less), the prize for matching five white balls goes from $1 million to $2 million. Higher prize levels are not eligible for the Power Play.
(Related: How Long Do You Have to Claim Mega Millions)
Frequently Asked Questions About Powerball
Must I be a U.S. citizen or resident to play?
You do not need to be a citizen or resident of the United States to play. You can play so long as you are physically within a participating state and of the age required to play in that jurisdiction at the time of ticket purchase. Federal and state income taxes may apply to any claimed prize money. See our list of states for Powerball jackpot winners to see where your state ranks on the list.
Do the numbers have to match in the exact order drawn?
No. All Powerball lottery tickets for a given play print the white ball numbers in numerical order from lowest to highest, with the Powerball number at the end. During the Powerball drawing, the five white balls are drawn first. Their order doesn’t matter, just the number itself.
The sixth number, however, is the red Powerball. The red Powerball drawn must match the Powerball number on your ticket.
Do Powerball tickets expire?
Yes, Powerball prizes can expire if not claimed within a specific time frame. Of course, this varies by state, so it’s important to check the rules applicable to your state when you play Powerball and determine the deadline to claim any winnings. Ticket expiration dates can be anywhere from 90 days to 1 year.
Should I toss my ticket if I don’t get all six Powerball numbers?
If you’re a Jackpocket user, we’ll let you know automatically if you win at ANY prize level. For everyone else, hold on to that ticket! Carefully check to see if you have any matches according to the prize chart. Sometimes, you do end up getting one match, but do you win anything with one number? It’s possible that you can! So, don’t let it go…yet.
This article originally appeared on Jackpocket.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
More from MediaFeed
7 Pros of Playing The Lotto Online
Life can be hectic. From jobs to getting the kids to school and extracurriculars to weekly chores, we often don’t have much downtime. Or the time to remember to pick up lottery tickets. Wouldn’t it be so much easier if you could play the lottery online?
But can you buy lottery tickets online? You can order them, depending on your location! And it’s easy to do. Read on to learn about the seven advantages of playing the lottery online.
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Playing the lottery online is convenient for people constantly on the go. When you play Powerball or your favorite state lottery game online you can pick your numbers or get randomly-generated numbers with Quick Pick. Not to mention, you have the ability to order your lottery tickets—and receive notifications when you’ve won—from the comfort of your couch, at your child’s sporting events, or anywhere you are. Playing in your office lottery pool is more fun when no one has to run out on behalf of the group. You can also set up a Smart Order subscription to never miss a chance to participate in your favorite game.
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Most people rely on their smartphones for their everyday tasks. So, can you play the lottery on your phone? Yes! Playing the lottery online makes the lottery accessible and user-friendly.
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Digital lottery platforms prioritize security, ensuring players are comfortable ordering lottery tickets online. Many handle transactions using best-in-class financial technology. They may exercise SSL encryption and PCI compliance to ensure secure transmission of all user data. For added security, they may require Face ID/Touch ID or pin code verification to place orders, fund requests, and make payouts.
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One of the greatest advantages of playing the lottery online is the easy management of your tickets!
Your ticket is then kept in a secure fireproof safe until after the drawing. If you win a large prize, many apps will arrange to transfer your paper ticket to you so you can claim the lottery prize from the state lottery.
(Related: Here’s How Big Lottery Winners Pick Their Winning Numbers)
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Can I win the lottery online? Your odds of winning are the same as if you were to purchase a lottery ticket in person at the store. Plus, playing online can give you the advantage of real-time notifications about upcoming drawings and prizes, plus notifications if your ticket is a winner.
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Playing the lotto with a lottery app unlocks additional features and ways to win prizes. For example, your lottery ticket orders may give you chances to win giveaways for amazing prizes and VIP experiences.
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Keep the lottery fun by playing responsibly. Look for an backed by the expertise of the National Council on Problem Gambling. These app are committed to the highest standards of responsible gaming with consumer protection features that include things like:
- Daily funding and spending limits
- Self-exclusion from the app
- In-app access to problem gambling resources. If you need additional support, the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) offers a number of resources on their website as well as 24-hour confidential helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
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We bet you’re wondering how to check your lottery ticket online. Once the drawing happens, some apps check your ticket against the winning numbers and send you an email letting you know if you’ve won a prize at any level. You can also check the app to see if any of your tickets are winners and how much they won.
(Related: The 10 Biggest Powerball Jackpot Wins of All Time)
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Playing the lottery online or with a lottery app is convenient. You can choose from any of your state lottery games and place your order. Set up a subscription to make regular orders for your favorite games and never forget to grab your ticket. You can also set up a lottery pool to participate with family and friends or use the app for your office pool. You can also join a much larger pool with the other users from your state.
This article originally appeared on Jackpocket.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
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Featured Image Credit: Julie Clopper/istockphoto.
