Related Post
(Trends Wide Spanish) — The Powerball jackpot grew to $1.9 billion, making it the largest in its history. If you’re thinking of buying a ticket, keep in mind that these are the numbers you need to win.
First of all, a review of how the popular United States lottery works: you have to choose five numbers between 1 and 69 for the white balls, and one between 1 and 26 for the red Powerball (you can choose them in the ballots or that the lottery terminal you go to chooses them at random).
To win the jackpot you must match the five numbers of the white balls and the one of the red ball of Powerball. The odds, according to the lottery, are somewhat less than one in 292 million.
(If someone wins the jackpot, they can choose between receiving 30 payments over 29 years or a one-time payment, according to a Powerball press release. The prize’s cash value will be about $929 million.)
Matching all the numbers is not the only way to get a prize. Here are other combinations with three and two balls, and an option with one, that will also give you a reward, although infinitely less.
- If you match three numbers on the white balls you get $7. The odds are approximately one in 579.
- If you match two numbers on the white balls plus the number on the red Powerball ball you also win a $7 prize. The odds of this happening are less than 1 in 701.
- If you hit a white ball and the Powerball ball you win $4. The chances of hitting this prize are significantly higher: approximately 1 in 92.
- If you match just the Powerball you also win $4. This is the prize you are most likely to win (1 in 38).
This means that if you get 1 or 2 white balls but miss the red Powerball ball you don’t get a reward.
An important clarification on a frequently asked question: the order in which you choose the numbers on the white balls must not match the order in which they are drawn in order to win. If you match enough numbers to get a prize, you will do so regardless of the order factor.
Remember that if you are in the United States but do not live there, you can also try your luck: you do not have to be a US citizen or resident to play Powerball.
And that the odds of winning a prize are the same in all draws, regardless of the value of the jackpot and the number of tickets sold.
