Powerball is the biggest lottery game in the United States, played in 45 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. It has produced the largest jackpot in history ($2.04 billion in November 2022) and it is also, at $2 a play, one of the simplest games to try. This guide walks a first-time player through everything from the play slip to the tax form.
The basics
- Pick 5 white balls from 1 to 69 and 1 red Powerball from 1 to 26.
- Drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 PM Eastern Time.
- A play costs $2. Optional add-ons cost $1 each (see below).
- The jackpot starts at $20 million and grows until someone matches all six numbers. There is no cap.
- You must be 18 or older (21 in a few states) and physically located in a participating jurisdiction when you buy.
You can play at any licensed lottery retailer (gas stations, convenience stores, supermarkets) or, in a growing number of states, through the official state lottery app or website. Powerball AI does not sell tickets; we provide statistics and number sets that you take to the retailer.
Filling out a play slip
A play slip has several panels (usually five). Each panel is one play:
- Mark 5 numbers in the white section (1-69).
- Mark 1 number in the red Powerball section (1-26).
- Or mark the Quick Pick box to let the terminal choose randomly.
- Optionally mark Power Play and/or Double Play (these apply to every panel on the slip).
- Optionally choose multi-draw to enter the same numbers in several consecutive drawings (up to 26 in most states).
Hand the slip to the clerk, pay, and check that the printed ticket shows the numbers, drawing date(s) and add-ons you wanted. Sign the back of the ticket immediately. A Powerball ticket is a bearer instrument: whoever holds it can claim it.
If you use plays from our number generator, simply copy each set onto a panel. Each of our plays is a standard five white balls plus one Powerball.
What a play costs
| Option | Cost per play |
|---|---|
| Standard play | $2 |
| With Power Play | $3 |
| With Double Play | $3 |
| With both | $4 |
Power Play
Power Play multiplies non-jackpot prizes by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x or, when the jackpot is $150 million or less, 10x. The multiplier is drawn before the main numbers. Two rules to remember:
- The jackpot is never multiplied.
- The Match 5 prize ($1 million) becomes exactly $2 million with Power Play, whatever the multiplier.
Our blog post on Power Play works through whether the extra dollar is worth it. Short version: it is a second bet with a similar house edge to the first, most attractive when the jackpot is small and the 10x is in play.
Double Play
Double Play is available in some jurisdictions. For $1 more, your numbers are entered into a second drawing held after the main one, with its own prize table and a fixed $10 million top prize. Power Play does not apply to Double Play prizes. Check whether your state offers it; the list is on powerball.com.
The nine prize tiers
| Match | Prize | Odds (1 in) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 white + Powerball | Jackpot | 292,201,338 |
| 5 white | $1,000,000 | 11,688,054 |
| 4 white + Powerball | $50,000 | 913,129 |
| 4 white | $100 | 36,525 |
| 3 white + Powerball | $100 | 14,494 |
| 3 white | $7 | 580 |
| 2 white + Powerball | $7 | 701 |
| 1 white + Powerball | $4 | 92 |
| Powerball only | $4 | 38 |
Overall, about 1 in 24.87 plays wins a prize, and the vast majority of those prizes are $4. Matching two white balls without the Powerball wins nothing. Our odds explained article derives every figure.
Jackpot: annuity or cash?
If you win the jackpot you choose between:
- Annuity: the advertised amount, paid as one immediate payment followed by 29 annual payments that grow 5% each year.
- Cash: a single lump sum equal to the money actually in the prize pool, typically a little over half the advertised amount.
Both are before taxes. Every recent record winner has chosen cash, but the right answer depends on your circumstances. Talk to a financial advisor and a tax professional before choosing.
Checking results
Drawings are broadcast live and posted on powerball.com within minutes. We publish the winning numbers, Power Play multiplier and jackpot of every drawing since 2015 on our results page, with a page per draw, usually within the hour. Check your ticket against the official numbers, not against memory or a social media post.
Claiming a prize
Rules vary by state, but the general pattern is:
- Up to $600: any retailer can pay you, in most states.
- $600 to a few thousand: larger retailers or a lottery claim center, with ID and a claim form.
- Larger prizes and the jackpot: the state lottery headquarters, by appointment. Bring the signed ticket, government ID and your Social Security number.
Claim deadlines range from 90 days to one year depending on the state, so do not sit on a winning ticket. Prizes must be claimed in the state where the ticket was purchased.
A few states allow winners to remain anonymous; most publish the winner's name and city. Before claiming a large prize, many winners consult a lawyer about claiming through a trust where permitted.
Taxes: the basics
Lottery prizes are taxable income in the United States.
- The lottery withholds 24% federal tax on prizes above $5,000. Your actual federal rate on a large prize is usually higher (the top bracket is 37%), so expect to owe more at filing time.
- State taxes vary from zero (for example California, Florida, Texas, Washington) to more than 10%. Some cities add their own tax.
- Prizes are reported on Form W-2G. Smaller prizes are still taxable even if no form is issued.
- Non-residents and non-citizens face different withholding rules.
This is general information, not tax advice. Consult a tax professional before claiming any significant prize; the difference between annuity and cash, the timing of the claim and your state of residence can all change what you keep.
Responsible play
Powerball is entertainment. The expected return of a $2 play is well below $2, and the odds of the jackpot are 1 in 292 million. Treat the money as you would a movie ticket: spend what you would spend on fun, never what you need for rent, and never chase losses.
If gambling stops being fun for you or someone you care about, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit ncpgambling.org. Help is free and confidential.
Choosing your numbers
Every combination has the same chance. The only decisions that matter are:
- Do not play the same combination on several tickets. It does not increase your jackpot chance for that combination and it wastes the extra plays.
- Avoid crowd patterns (all birthdays, straight lines, last week's numbers) to reduce the risk of splitting a prize.
- Keep your plays typical in structure: a mix of odd and even, low and high, with a sum near the middle of the range.
Our free play on the generate page does all three automatically. Packs of 1 to 200 plays are in the shop from $0.99, and subscriptions email you fresh plays the morning of every drawing.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Powerball ticket?
$2 per play. Power Play and Double Play are $1 each.
What days is Powerball drawn?
Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 PM ET. Ticket sales close an hour or two before the drawing, depending on the state.
What happens if I match only the Powerball?
You win $4 (or $4 times the multiplier with Power Play). About 1 in 38 plays hits this tier.
Can I buy Powerball tickets online?
Only through official state lottery websites or apps where offered, and only while physically in that state. Third-party "courier" services operate in some states; check your state's rules.
Is Powerball AI affiliated with Powerball?
No. Powerball is a registered trademark of the Multi-State Lottery Association. We are an independent statistics service and we do not sell tickets.
Ready to apply this guide?
Launch our AI generator and get a play optimized with the methods described, in under 5 seconds.
Generate my AI play
