9 Ways to Win the Powerball: Everything You Should Know Before Playing

Maggie Horton
·2 min read
4
person's hand marking number on lottery ticket with pen
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If you're playing the Powerball, of course, you're going for the jackpot. But with your odds sitting at 1 in 292 million for the big win, you should know the other ways to cash in if you don't have all six numbers. In total, there are eight other ways to recoup the cost of your ticket and even win up to $1 million, without hitting the jackpot. For just $2 a ticket, what's the harm in playing your luck every now and again.

Powerball numbers are called every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET. The numbers consist of five white balls numbered 1 through 69 and one red ball, the Powerball, which will be between 1 and 26. Players can select their numbers for themselves or opt for quick pick, and have their numbers selected for them. To win the jackpot, you must have the numbers of all five white balls correct and the Powerball. Though the odds of winning the jackpot aren't great, the odds of winning the smallest award is much better at 1 in 38.32.

8 Ways to Win Powerball If You Don't Hit the Jackpot:

The first way to win is to hit the jackpot. If you missed a number here or there for the jackpot, don't fret. You can still win something if you have any of these additional eight winning combinations:

  • If you have 5 white numbers correct but not the Powerball you win $1 million.

  • If you have 4 out of 5 of the white numbers AND the Powerball you win $50,000.

  • Match 4 out of 5 of the white numbers only and win $100.

  • With 3 white numbers AND the Powerball you win $100.

  • 3 white numbers only wins $7.

  • Two white numbers AND the Powerball equals $7.

  • If you have just one white number AND the Powerball you win $4.

  • Finally, if you only have the Powerball correct you win $4.

Of course, if you opted for Power Play when buying your tickets, the winnings for all prizes other than the jackpot are much greater. The Power Play rules are announced at each drawing and can double, triple or even quadruple your prize money.

So, if you're going to play Powerball make sure not to leave any money on the table even if you didn't hit the jackpot! Depending on where you live, you have 90 days to 1 year to claim your prize. Check your local news for the winning numbers, or go to the official Powerball website.

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