- A $935 million Powerball jackpot is up for grabs in Saturday’s drawing.
- This would be the fifth largest jackpot ever.
- But even if you don’t hit the jackpot, there are several ways to come out victorious and a little richer.
On Saturday, March 30, the Powerball drawing will put a staggering $935 million jackpot on the table in what would be the fifth-largest lottery prize in U.S. history.
After three months without a win, the big prize has reached an estimated cash value of $452.3 million. The next drawing will take place after someone wins the $842.4 million Powerball on New Year’s Day. A California resident won a record $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot in November 2022.
But even if the jackpot has eluded you so far, there are several other ways to get richer in future games.
For uninitiated Powerball players who decide to purchase a ticket impulsively, we’re here to break down all the possible ways to win. You know, just in case.
First, the basics: The Powerball lottery consists of six total numbers selected at random three times per week. Every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. EST, a live drawing takes place. All numbers are printed on white or red balls and placed into an automated machine which spits out the winning numbers.
The first five numbers (white) are between 1 and 69. The last number (red) is called the Powerball. This can be between 1 and 26.
When purchasing a ticket, players can select all six numbers themselves or perform a “quick pick” and receive a randomly generated set of numbers. Tickets cost $2 each, but you can pay $1 more at the time of purchase to upgrade your ticket to “Power Play.”
The “Power Play” add-on means your prize money will at least double if you have a winning ticket for anything other than the jackpot.
So, what exactly are the winning tickets (aside from the jackpot)? The possible winning tickets and their cash prizes are as follows:
- Match all 5 white numbers only – $1 million
- Match 4 out of 5 white numbers + Powerball – $50,000
- Match 4 white numbers only – $100
- Match 3 white numbers + Powerball – $100
- Match 3 white numbers only – $7
- Match 2 white numbers + Powerball – $7
- Match 1 white number + Powerball – $4
- Powerball only – $4
The Power Play bonus is announced at the time of the draw and does not apply to jackpot winnings. If you matched all five white numbers and selected “Power Play” when purchasing your ticket, you will win $2 million (instead of the standard $1 million). For all other prizes, the Power Play bonus will be either 2x, 3x, 4x or 5x your winnings.
The overall odds of winning any of the prizes starting at $4 are 1 in 24.87. But the chances of walking away with the jackpot are much slimmer: 1 in 292 million. In case you walk away with a lump sum, remember to hire a lawyer. Most states give players at least 180 days to come forward.
Editor’s note: This article was first published in January 2016 and has been updated to reflect recent developments..
Erin Snodgrass is a reporter for Insider’s California news team. As a general journalist, she covers a variety of topics, including geopolitical conflicts, history, courts, education and California migration.
She also writes frequently about the war in Ukraine and its aftermath.
Before joining Insider, Erin worked with InvestigateTV and Česká televize. She graduated from Loyola University New Orleans in 2020 with a degree in journalism and a minor in political science.
His work has also been published in The Olympian and on Nola.com.
She can be reached by email at esnodgrass@businessinsider.com or on X as @erinsnod. “/>
@KatieBalevic. Please note that harassment or spam will be removed and, if necessary, reported.“/> 
Beyoncé wore trendy glasses throughout the Renaissance World Tour and helped make them cool againThe photographer who photographed people occupying subway tracks for a black man killed in the 1980s said history came “full circle” after protesters did the same for Jordan Neely.‘I would die’: Disabled people say abortion ban could have fatal consequencesPolice response to Jayland Walker shooting was ‘overblown,’ use-of-force expert says: ‘The officers involved determined his life was not worth saving.’She helped raise $2 million to fund abortion by calling Matt Gaetz: Meet Olivia Julianna, a Gen Z activist who inspired copycat fundraisers.American automotive culture is evolving thanks to younger generations. But Gen Z and millennials view vehicle ownership very differently.It’s not just you: cybercriminals also use ChatGPT to make their work easierOrcas have been found with a toilet paper chemical in their livers and skeletal muscles. This is just the “tip of the iceberg” for one of the most contaminated marine mammals in the world.“/>
medical malpractice cases, pop culture and current events, celebrity behavior and travel topics. He has particular expertise and interest in reporting on LGBTQ+ issues and the transgender community. Before working at Business Insider, he earned a dual bachelor’s degree in English and comparative literature with highest honors from the University of California, Berkeley. He wrote and edited for Berkeley’s main city newspaper, “The Daily Californian,” for all four undergraduate years, eventually leading a news staff of more than 50 people. You can email him at scahill@businessinsider.com with comments or advice, or follow him on X or LinkedIn. “/>
businessinsider
