How Powerball Works
Powerball is a multi-state lottery game drawn every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 PM ET. To play, you select 5 main numbers from 1-69 and 1 Powerball number from 1-26. Tickets cost $2 per play, with an optional Power Play multiplier for an extra $1.
Prize Tiers
Powerball has 9 prize tiers, ranging from the jackpot (match all 5 + Powerball) down to $4 for matching just the Powerball. Here's the breakdown:
- 5 + PB: Jackpot (starts at $20 million)
- 5 numbers: $1,000,000
- 4 + PB: $50,000
- 4 numbers: $100
- 3 + PB: $100
- 3 numbers: $7
- 2 + PB: $7
- 1 + PB: $4
- PB only: $4
The Power Play Option
For an additional $1 per play, the Power Play multiplier can increase non-jackpot prizes by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or even 10x (when the jackpot is under $150 million). The multiplier is randomly selected before each drawing. The $1 million second-place prize always doubles to $2 million with Power Play, regardless of the multiplier drawn.
Drawing Schedule
Drawings take place three times per week: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 PM Eastern Time. Ticket sales typically close 1-2 hours before the drawing, depending on your state. Results are usually available within minutes of the drawing.
Biggest Powerball Jackpots
Powerball has produced some of the largest lottery prizes in history. The game's jackpot starts at $20 million and grows with each drawing that produces no jackpot winner. When jackpots reach hundreds of millions, ticket sales surge, causing the pot to grow even faster.
Tips for Powerball Players
- Set a budget: Decide how much you can afford to spend and stick to it
- Check results promptly: Winning tickets have expiration dates (typically 90 days to 1 year)
- Consider a pool: Joining a lottery pool lets you buy more tickets with shared cost
- Use analytics: Our frequency and pattern tools can help you choose numbers systematically
DrawAnalytics is an informational service. We do not sell predictions or guarantee outcomes. Lottery drawings are random — past results do not predict future drawings. Play responsibly. 1-800-GAMBLER.