Dreaming of the day you win a prize with Powerball? The odds of winning the grand prize are one in 292,201,338, but that doesn’t keep lotto lovers from trying their luck. Just don’t forget: there are smaller prizes, too.
One of the most popular questions we hear about Powerball is this: Do you win anything if you have one number? Or, what happens if you match two Powerball numbers? Three numbers? Let’s look at the Powerball winning tiers and the different possibilities.
Understanding Powerball Prizes
Here is the prize structure to get a better understanding of how Powerball works.
Grand Prize: Match all five numbers and the Powerball number to win the biggest Powerball Jackpots.
Match 5: Match all five numbers to win $1 million
Match 4 + Powerball: Match four numbers and the Powerball to win $50,000
Match 4: Match four numbers to win $100
Match 3 + Powerball: Match three numbers and the Powerball to win $100
Match 3: Match three numbers to win $7
Match 2 + Powerball: Match two numbers and the Powerball to win $7
Match 2: No prize
Match 1 + Powerball: Match one number and the Powerball to win $4
Match 1: No prize
Match Powerball: Match the red Powerball to win $4
So, do you win anything for one number in Powerball? Only if the matching number is the red "Powerball number" itself. You'll win a $4 prize which covers the cost of a Powerball ticket plus a little extra to boot. The odds of this happening are 1 in 38.
Understanding Powerball Number Combinations
You can win a prize with as little as a single number so long as that number is the red Powerball. Let’s take a look at what happens when you start matching more numbers.
Matching Two Numbers For Powerball
You can potentially win a small prize of $4 with just one number plus the Powerball for a two-number combination. Matching two numbers plus the Powerball wins you the same prize as matching three numbers ($7). So make sure to check your ticket when you play Powerball and match two numbers.
Matching Three Numbers For Powerball
Matching three numbers on your Powerball ticket is where the prizes start to add up. The prizes start to increase in value with the more numbers you match. If you happen to match three numbers plus the Powerball number, the prize jumps from $7 to $100.
The odds of matching three numbers on the Powerball are 1 in 580. The odds of getting three numbers and the Powerball? 1 in 14,494.
Exploring Other Ways to Win on Powerball
Enter the Power Play.
For an additional $1, you can add Power Play to your Powerball ticket which will multiply any non-jackpot amount won if you do win. This amount can be anywhere from 2x to 5x to even 10x the prize won. So if you win the $4 prize, and you’ve also added the Power Play to your ticket, your $4 prize turns into a minimum of $8 won. If the 10x multiplier is available, that $4 prize could turn into $40.
When the 10X is offered (for jackpots $150 million or less), the prize for matching five white balls goes from $1 million to $2 million. Higher prize levels are not eligible for the Power Play.
Frequently Asked Questions About Powerball
Must I be a U.S. citizen or resident to play?
You do not need to be a citizen or resident of the United States to play. You can play so long as you are physically within a participating state and of the age required to play in that jurisdiction at the time of ticket purchase. Federal and state income taxes may apply to any claimed prize money. See our list of states for Powerball jackpot winners to see where your state ranks on the list.
What happens if I win a large Powerball prize since I ordered my ticket on Jackpocket?
Not to worry! When you order your ticket on Jackpocket, we send a scan of your ticket to the app and securely store your physical ticket in a locked vault. If you win big, we arrange to securely transfer the physical ticket to you so you can claim your prize with the state lottery.
Will Jackpocket tell me if I win?
Once the Powerball results are in, we'll check to see if any of your tickets matched the winning numbers and any prize level. If you win, we will automatically send an email letting you know.
Do the numbers have to match in the exact order drawn?
No. All Powerball lottery tickets for a given play print the white ball numbers in numerical order from lowest to highest, with the Powerball number at the end. During the Powerball drawing, the five white balls are drawn first. Their order doesn't matter, just the number itself.
The sixth number, however, is the red Powerball. The red Powerball drawn must match the Powerball number on your ticket.
Do Powerball tickets expire?
Yes, Powerball prizes can expire if not claimed within a specific time frame. Of course, this varies by state, so it’s important to check the rules applicable to your state when you play Powerball and determine the deadline to claim any winnings. Ticket expiration dates can be anywhere from 90 days to 1 year.
Should I toss my ticket if I don’t get all six Powerball numbers?
If you're a Jackpocket user, we'll let you know automatically if you win at ANY prize level. For everyone else, hold on to that ticket! Carefully check to see if you have any matches according to the prize chart. Sometimes, you do end up getting one match, but do you win anything with one number? It’s possible that you can! So, don’t let it go…yet.
Ready to try your Powerball luck? Take a chance right from your phone with Jackpocket. Order online or get the app!
