You don’t have to match all the Powerball numbers to be a winner.
When it comes to Powerball, everyone typically focuses on winning it big. And those jackpots can get pretty lofty and life-changing, making the game that much more fun to play. But sometimes overlooked are the countless other ways Powerball players can win a little cash. While the cash out might not be in the millions, even a small jackpot is better than no jackpot. Today, we’ll uncover what you’ll win when you only match two numbers, along with other winning combinations worth a little green.
Matching the Powerball Number
If you match one white ball pick and the Powerball, you’ll score $4, which is the same should you only match the lone Powerball number. Unfortunately, matching two white ball numbers won’t be enough to earn your cash back. The Powerball actually has a little power when it comes to winning combinations, and matching one of your numbers to it can be your key to winning, even if it is just a few bucks.
Other Winning Combinations
As you know, matching five white ball numbers and the Powerball number means you’re winning the big jackpot. But you don’t have to match all the numbers to win a substantial amount of money. Matching four digits, for example, is a winning combination that will have you scoring $100. And that doesn’t change whether your four numbers are chosen white balls or in combination with the Powerball. The number of zeros included in your jackpot only goes up from there.
What happens if you manage to match five numbers? It depends on which numbers line up for you. If you have been fortunate enough to match four white balls and the Powerball number, you’ll go home with $50,000. And the deal only gets sweeter should you manage to match five white balls altogether. If you picked and matched five white balls, you’ll win a whopping $1 million.
Boosting the Win with Power Plays
When you buy your Powerball ticket, you’ll have the option to include the Power Play. This jackpot multiplier is designed to increase non-jackpot winnings and, in some cases, as much as ten times the original prize amount. Not all states offer the Power Play as an option. But for those that do, Powerball players can score more when matching anything from one red Powerball to five balls. As an example, if you win $100 but have the ten times multiplier from the Power Play, you’ll take home $1,000. Imagine the jackpot boost if you win $50,000! The Power Play option doesn’t have an effect on winning the big jackpot. However, any prize combination on down can certainly get a boost with it.
Where to Claim Your Non-Jackpot Prizes
Powerball players who match some of the drawn numbers to earn a smaller prize have a couple of options when it comes down to claiming their winnings. Generally, any winning amount up to $600 can be cashed in at any licensed lottery location within the same jurisdiction as the venue at which the ticket was purchased. Any prize amount above $600 should be claimed at a local lottery office. More substantial winnings can be claimed at the lottery headquarters. And it's always recommended that any Powerball winner, regardless of the prize amount, should sign the back of the ticket before redeeming any jackpots.
The overall odds of winning the big Powerball jackpot are roughly one in 292 million. The odds of matching three numbers along with the Powerball are 14,494 to one. With the increased potential of winning smaller prizes may be one of the reasons why Powerball continues to be so popular. No matter what the odds and statistics suggest, though, you’ll never win if you don’t play.