The Powerball jackpot has skyrocketed to $1.8 billion ahead of Saturday’s drawing, one of the largest in game history. The Sept. 6 drawing marks the 42nd straight drawing without a Powerball winner.
A lucrative payday is in store for the lucky winner if they match all six numbers. While the odds are low (1 in 292.2 million), there’s still a chance to win the coveted Powerball jackpot. Want to test your luck? Here’s how the game works.
How do you play Powerball? Here’s how the game works
You win the jackpot by matching all five white balls in any order, plus the red Powerball.
Once you purchase your ticket, you’ll pick six numbers in total. Select five numbers between 1 and 69 for the white balls, then select one number between 1 and 26 for the Powerball. You can choose your own numbers on a play slip or let the lottery terminal randomly pick your numbers. Participants can also add a “Power Play” for $1, which increases the winning amounts for all non-jackpot prizes.
The Powerball jackpot continues to grow until someone wins.
How many numbers are needed to win a prize in Powerball?
Winning the jackpot requires all six numbers to match, but you can still win lower-tier prizes, which can sometimes yield six-figure dollar amounts or even grow into the millions.
The Power Play feature can multiply non-jackpot prizes by 2, 3, 4, 5 or 10 times, per Powerball rules. The multiplier number is randomly selected before each drawing, and the 10X multiplier only happens when the advertised jackpot annuity is $150 million or less. According to the Louisville Courier Journal, these are possible winning tickets and their cash prizes.
How much is the $1.8 billion Powerball jackpot after taxes?
The lucky winner won’t take home the full $1.8 billion jackpot. If they accept the $826.4 million cash value payout, $198.3 million (24%) goes to the IRS, as well as other federal deductions and tax rates, according to USA TODAY. This will leave the winner with about $628 million after taxes.
How much does a Powerball ticket cost?
Powerball tickets cost $2 per play.
According to USA TODAY, the “Power Play” option costs an extra $1 per play and can multiply non-jackpot prizes by 2, 3, 4, 5, or even 10 times. The “Double Play” option is also an additional $1 per play. Meaning that a single ticket could cost a total of $4 if both “Power Play” and “Double Play” are selected.
What’s the latest you can purchase a Powerball ticket before a drawing?
In Ohio, the cutoff time to buy a Powerball ticket is 10 p.m. ET on the day of a drawing.
Is it legal to purchase lottery tickets online?
Yes. Ohioans can order Powerball tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, or other online vendors. However, it’s important to choose a reliable online platform that is licensed and regulated to ensure that your purchase is safe and secure.
Where are lottery and Powerball tickets sold in Ohio?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
What time is the next Powerball drawing? How to watch and live stream
Powerball drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET. Drawings are broadcast live at those times and live-streamed on the Powerball website.
How to claim a winning Powerball ticket in Ohio
The Ohio Lottery says you should take these steps if you win a jackpot. Powerball tickets do expire, and in Ohio, you must claim your prize within 180 days of the drawing date.
This story was updated to add a gallery.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Powerball jackpot hits $1.8 billion. How do you play? Rules, payouts, how the game works
Reporting by Alex Perry, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
