Powerball - It's America's Game
A multi-state lottery in the United States whose major competitor is currently The Big Game's Mega Millions. Has featured several jackpots in excess of $100 million, although those were split between multiple winners. A typical jackpot usually ranges between $30 million and $40 million.
States/Territories where you can play Powerball
Note that you do not need to be a resident of these states to play, but you must buy tickets in these states. Border towns often experience runs on tickets shortly after the announcement of a big jackpot.
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Washington, D.C.
- Delaware
- Indiana
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
How to play
Choose five numbers from a field of 53, and one number (the Powerball) from a field of 42. You can also have the computer choose pseudo-random numbers for you. Each play costs $1.00. To win, match one of the following combinations. Note that "Any n numbers" does NOT include the number you chose as the Powerball.
- All 5 numbers and the Powerball: Jackpot (120,526,770 to 1)
- All 5 numbers but not the Powerball: $100,000 (2,939,677.32 to 1)
- Any 4 numbers and the Powerball: $5,000 (502,194.88 to 1)
- Any 4 numbers but not the Powerball: $100 (12,248.66 to 1)
- Any 3 numbers and the Powerball: $100 (10,685.00 to 1)
- Any 3 numbers but not the Powerball: $7 (260.61 to 1)
- Any 2 numbers and the Powerball: $7 (696.85 to 1)
- Any number and the Powerball: $4 (123.88 to 1)
- Just the Powerball: $3 (70.39 to 1)
An interesting statistical sidenote: notice that although you pick the Powerball from a field of 42, your odds of winning ninth place are about 70 to 1. That's because you have to discount all of the situations where you would win more than $3 because of additional numbers matched. Only one prize can be won per ticket.
Good luck!
Powerball home page: http://www.powerball.com/
Editors Note - May 15, 2013
In addition, the following States also offer you the chance to become a millioniare via Powerball.
Arkansas
California
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
Washington
Residents of Washington D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands are also eligible to play.