The Powerball jackpot has been climbing ever since it was last won on Nov. 19 and now, it has reached an all-time high of an estimated $754.6 million. That’s right, you read that correctly. This is the fifth largest Powerball jackpot in history and the ninth largest lottery prize ever in the U.S.!
It’s no surprise that the Powerball is one of the most popular lottery games in the world. With a grand prize of $747 million if you choose the annuity option, or $407.2 million if you choose the cash option, it’s no wonder so many people are vying for the top prize. But what are the chances of actually winning the Powerball?
The odds of winning the jackpot are 292,201,338-to-1. While it may seem like a long shot, it’s not impossible. Just ask the lucky winner from Washington state who matched all six numbers in Monday night’s drawing to take home the grand prize.
If you’re hoping to win the Powerball, here’s what you need to know. Each ticket costs $2 and players pick (or opt to randomly receive) five numbers from one to 69 for the white balls, and one number from one to 26 for the red Powerball. To win the jackpot, you need to match the numbers for all five white balls and the red Powerball.
Aside from the grand prize, depending on how many balls are matched, there are eight additional ways you can win a Powerball prize across the game’s non-jackpot tiers. Non-jackpot prizes start at $4 and go up to $1 million. For an extra $1, you can opt into “Powerplay” – which multiplies non-jackpot winning prizes by 2, 3, 4, 5 or 10.
So, if you’re looking to increase your chances of winning, it’s worth taking a shot at the Powerball. You never know, you might just be the next winner. Good luck!
Source: www.usatoday.com