Cost

$1 per wager

$2 per wager

How to play

Choose five numbers from 1 to 56 and one Mega Ball number from 1 to 46. Match five numbers and the Mega Ball to win the jackpot.  There are nine ways to win a prize.

Choose five numbers from 1 to 59 and one Powerball number from 1 to 35. Match five numbers and the Powerball to win the jackpot. There are nine ways to win a prize.

Game odds

Overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 40.

Overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 32. 

Odds of winning the jackpot

1 in 175.7 million

1 in 175.2 million

Add on games

Megaplier (not available in all jurisdictions)

Power Play

Add on game details

For $1 more per playboard, players could increase their non-jackpot prize winnings by 2, 3 or 4 times! Players could win $1,000,000 without even hitting the jackpot.

For $1 more per playboard, players could increase their non-jackpot prizes with Power Play.   Players matching all 5 white balls who have played Power Play automatically win $2 million.

When do pools close?

Varies from state to state, but usually 15 minutes before the drawing.

Varies from state to state, but usually one hour before the drawing.

When and where is the drawing?

11 p.m. EST every Tuesday and Friday at the studios of WSB-TV in Atlanta, GA.

10:59 p.m. EST every Wednesday and Saturday at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.

Largest jackpot

$390 million, won March 6, 2007 by two players (NJ and GA).  U.S. record.

The largest single ticket winner was $365 million, won Feb. 18, 2006 by ConAgra Foods work pool in NE. Second highest U.S. jackpot.

Base jackpot

The jackpot starts at $12 million. 

The jackpot starts at $40 million.

Second prize

$250,000

$1,000,000

Power/Mega Ball only prize

$2

$4

Prize payment options

26 equal annual payments or cash option

30 graduated annual payments or cash option

Start date

Aug. 31, 1996

Feb. 10, 1988

Number of jurisdictions involved

44 jurisdictions

44 jurisdictions

Organizational structure

Administrative responsibilities are shared by the states involved.

Powerball is administered by the Multi-State Lottery Association.

Can tickets be cancelled?

No, all sales are final.

No, all sales are final.

Retailer jackpot commission

Varies by state

Varies by state