12th-largest US jackpot ever; 6th-largest cash value
By Todd Northrop
For only the 16th time in the history of United States lotteries, a lottery jackpot run-up has crossed into $300 million+ territory.
The new high-water mark of $325 million for the current Powerball jackpot was achieved after no winning tickets were sold for Wednesday night's $250 million grand prize.
The lump-sum cash payout value of Wednesday's Powerball jackpot is $212.8 million. After-tax cash and annuity prize amounts are reported state-by-state on the Jackpot Analysis page at USA Mega, a web site devoted to the Powerball and Mega Millions multi-state lottery games.
This is the largest Powerball jackpot since Aug. 15, 2012, when 44-year-old railroad engineer Donald Lawson of Lapeer, Michigan, won a $337 million Powerball jackpot (see Michigan railroad engineer claims $337M Powerball lottery jackpot, Lottery Post, August 31, 2012).
Love it or hate it, Powerball's pricing and prize structure changes that went into effect in January have indeed paid off for those wanting to play for big jackpots. This is the third $300+ million jackpot Powerball has produced in a single year — the first time any lottery game has accomplished that feat.
Players should note that jackpot amounts are conservative estimates provided by the lotteries, and are often somewhat higher by the time the drawing occurs.
The mammoth prize is the result of 14 consecutive draws without a winner. The run-up started as a $40 million prize on October 6, 2012.
The winning numbers for Wednesday, November 21, 2012 were 8, 18, 24, 30, and 39, with Powerball number 26.
Even though nobody won the jackpot Wednesday, 3 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $1,000,000 prize: 1 from Georgia, 1 from New York, and 1 from Texas.
Of all the second-prize winners, only the ticket from Texas was purchased with the Power Play option for an extra $1. Because they purchased the Power Play, that particular ticket is now worth $2 million.
46 tickets matched four white numbers plus the Powerball and won $10,000. Of those tickets, 4 were purchased with the Power Play option, increasing the prize to $40,000.
Following the Wednesday drawing, the Powerball annuity jackpot estimate was raised $75 million from its previous amount of $250 million. The cash value was raised by $46 million from its previous amount of $166.8 million.
When a Powerball ticket is purchased with the Power Play option for an extra $1 per ticket, any non-jackpot prize is increased according to a fixed prize schedule, which can be found on the Powerball Drawing Detail page at USA Mega, as well as on the Powerball Prize Payouts page at Lottery Post.
Powerball is now played in 42 states, plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are Wednesdays and Saturdays at 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Tickets cost $2 each.
Powerball lottery results are published within minutes of the drawing at USA Mega (www.usamega.com). The USA Mega Web site provides lottery players in-depth information about the United States's two biggest multi-state lottery games, Mega Millions and Powerball.
Top 25 United States lottery jackpots of all time
Saturday's Powerball jackpot currently stands as the 12th-largest lottery jackpot of all time in the United States. That position may rise before the drawing Saturday night, as lotteries are typically conservative in their initial estimates, and brisk sales may push the jackpot estimate higher by draw time.
If nobody wins Saturday, it's anyone's guess how high it will go.
- Mega Millions: $656 million, Mar. 30, 2012 - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
- Mega Millions: $390 million, Mar. 6, 2007 - Georgia, New Jersey
- Mega Millions: $380 million, Jan. 4, 2011 - Idaho, Washington
- Powerball: $365 million, Feb. 18, 2006 - Nebraska
- The Big Game: $363 million, May 9, 2000 - Illinois, Michigan
- Powerball: $340 million, Oct. 19, 2005 - Oregon
- Powerball: $337 million, Aug. 15, 2012 - Michigan
- Powerball: $336.4 million, Feb. 11, 2012 - Rhode Island
- Mega Millions: $336 million, Aug. 28, 2009 - California, New York
- The Big Game: $331 million, Apr. 16, 2002 - Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey
- Mega Millions: $330 million, Aug. 31, 2007 - Maryland, New Jersey, Texas, Virginia
- Powerball: $325 million, Nov. 24, 2012 - preliminary estimate, not won yet
- Mega Millions: $319 million, Mar. 25, 2011 - New York
- Mega Millions: $315 million, Nov. 15, 2005 - California
- Powerball: $314.9 million, Dec. 26, 2002 - West Virgina
- Powerball: $314.3 million, Aug. 25, 2007 - Indiana
- Powerball: $295.7 million, Jul. 29, 1998 - Indiana
- Powerball: $295 million, Aug. 25, 2001 - Delaware, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Hampshire
- Mega Millions: $294 million, Jul. 2, 2004 - Massachusetts
- Powerball: $276.3 million, Mar. 15, 2008 - West Virgina
- Mega Millions: $275 million, Feb. 22, 2008 - Georgia
- Mega Millions: $270 million, Feb. 28, 2006 - Ohio
- Mega Millions: $266 million, May 4, 2010 - California
- Mega Millions: $265 million, Apr. 18, 2006 - Ohio
- Powerball: $261.6 million, Jun. 2, 2010 - Ohio
For those keeping score, the number of jackpots in the top 25, by lottery game, are:
- Mega Millions: 12
- Powerball: 11
- The Big Game: 2
The Big Game is the original name of Mega Millions, from the game's first drawing on Sep. 6, 1996 through May 14, 2002. The name was changed to Mega Millions starting with the May 17, 2002 drawing.
Top 20 cash value jackpots
Since many lottery winners collect their winnings in cash, the lump-sum payout is an important measure of what a winning ticket could be worth.
Looking at the cash value, the upcoming Powerball jackpot is even better than the annuity, ranking as the sixth-largest cash value in U.S. history.
- Mega Millions: $471 million cash, Mar. 30, 2012 ($656 million annuity) - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
- Mega Millions: $240 million cash, Jan. 4, 2011 ($380 million annuity) - Idaho, Washington
- Mega Millions: $233.1 million cash, Mar. 6, 2007 ($390 million annuity) - Georgia, New Jersey
- Powerball: $224.7 million cash, Aug. 15, 2012 ($337 million annuity) - Michigan
- Mega Millions: $214 million cash, Aug. 28, 2009 ($336 million annuity) - California, New York
- Powerball: $212.8 million cash, Nov 24, 2012 ($325 million annuity) - preliminary estimate, not won yet
- Powerball: $210 million cash, Feb. 11, 2012 ($336.4 million annuity) - Rhode Island
- Mega Millions: $202.9 million cash, Mar. 25, 2011 ($319 million annuity) - New York
- Mega Millions: $194.4. million cash, Aug. 31, 2007 ($330 million annuity) - Maryland, New Jersey, Texas, Virginia
- Mega Millions: $185 million cash, Nov. 15, 2005 ($315 million annuity) - California
- The Big Game: $180 million cash, May 9, 2000 ($363 million annuity) - Illinois, Michigan
- Powerball: $177.3 million cash, Feb. 18, 2006 ($365 million annuity) - Nebraska
- Mega Millions: $168 million cash, July 2, 2004 ($294 million annuity) - Massachusetts
- Mega Millions: $167.7 million cash, Feb. 22, 2008 ($275 million annuity) - Georgia
- Powerball: $166 million cash, Aug. 25, 2001 ($295 million annuity) - Delaware, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Hampshire
- Mega Millions: $165.2 million cash, May 4, 2010 ($266 million annuity) - California
- Powerball: $164.4 million cash, won Oct. 19, 2005 ($340 million annuity) - Oregon
- Mega Millions: $164 million cash, Feb. 28, 2006 ($270 million annuity) - Ohio
- Powerball: $161.5 million cash, July 29, 1998 ($295.7 million annuity) - Indiana
- Mega Millions: $156.1 million cash, Sept. 16, 2005 ($258 million annuity) - New Jersey
I WILL PLAY THE LOTTERY SOMEDAY TO AVOID THE LOTTERY INSANITY. IT IS OKAY TO DREAM.
I AM A THRIFTY LOTTERY PLAYER BECAUSE I SAVE LINES TO PLAY SOMEDAY.
OUR REGULAR LOTTERY PROGRAMMING.
1) Playing the lottery more often for less lines= Playing a single line.
2) Playing the lottery less often for more lines= Playing multiple lines.
3) Playing the lottery less often for less lines= Playing a single line monthly or yearly.
4) Playing the lottery more often for more lines= Spending more money= Gambling addiction.
SET A LOTTERY STOP LOSS LIMIT TO MINIMIZE OUR LOSSES.
A lottery stop loss limit is very important to be a successful lottery player over the long term.
GOOD LUCK EVERYBODY
Good luck everyone,
There will be an incredible Christmas here in the State of Maryland when i win this coming Saturday. i have worked on my financial plan for 8 consecutive years, non-stop. I have my tax attorney, financial services firm, accounting firm, MY TEAM, all identified. lol. But its true.
Will Powerball 's and "haters" begin to play now in record numbers?
Have many people have already broke their bank, leaving them unable to play until their tax return in 2013?
Who can predict the swelling jackpot if it rolls Saturday?
Why is it at the end of the year towards Christmas, that these jackpots grow so large?
I could live on 325 million dollars.It would be tough,but I could do it!
Good questions.
The article says "This is the third $300+ million jackpot Powerball has produced in a single year — the first time any lottery game has accomplished that feat." Of course, people who post here understand that's because of PB's January price increase to 2 dollars.
I run a lottery pool at work. (I know...bad idea, but I do it anyway) We play MM or PB when either of them gets up to over 100 milion. A guy who regularly partcipates in the pool mentioned to me not too long ago "It seems to me like there's been a lot of big jackpots lately. It seems like we're playing more than we used to." He's a good guy, and he's liked by everybody in the office. If it wasnt for the pool, he probably wouldnt buy himself a ticket. Without elaborating, I just said "Yeah, I think that too."
Does this mean I didn't win the JP last night.......
It only means that your a
The biggest JP ever is by design because of longer odds and higher ticket prices.......
Gobble gobble, gobble gobble.
Just for today only.
Tomorrow you turn back into your normal
Having LP handy means I don't need to look at my ticket to see if someone in AZ is the JP winner....
Ya have to be one to see one
I wish...I wish...I wish...
I pray...I pray... I pray....
This is a huge amount...I am hoping that the money will end up with the most deserving person/s on the planet..
If the 3 of us had hit the JP. I think the story would already be out. lol. lol. lol.
I wonder if anyone else here played those numbers and didn't say anything??????
So it probably won't be you.
I vote mcginnin56 as "most deserving" in the graduating class of 2012...........
And the sentence right before that (which you did not include in your quote) was, "Love it or hate it, Powerball's pricing and prize structure changes that went into effect in January have indeed paid off for those wanting to play for big jackpots."
So people reading the article would understand why this is the third $300+ million Powerball jackpot this year. Because of the price and prize changes. Love it or hate it.
BTW, just make sure you have some kind of rules in writing for your pool at work. You need something in there about how if a person doesn't pay one drawing, they are not included. It has to be really specific around payments, how it is run, and how it is determined who is playing each drawing. Otherwise, you'll end up with gray legal issues and valid lawsuits.
Or just play solo. My own preferred approach.
As do all JP lovers (and haters) everywhere.....
Although clearly I am the most deserving, my humility prevents me from excepting this most prestigious award.
Rather let it go to someone who least deserves this jackpot. Paris Hilton would get my vote.
Excellent point,
we live in a world where a "pool member" should NEVER be disenfranchised for not paying their due.
Your political correctness is right on target as always mcginnin56, keep those intuitive powers flowing.
Just sayin..... With those kind of extraordinary powers your next 5 of 5 will no doubt include the bonus...
Almost thought you were a coworker until you mentioned office. If our pool wins you will see the largest lawsuit in lotto history. The guy running it only writes down first names.
3 of those numbers came within a digit of the infamous combination. Lottery gods love teasing players. Thats for sure.
Perhaps you could be a news story WITHOUT winning....
Yes they do, but every once in a while the joke is on them...... lol. I'm going to play them again.... lol.
Good luck man. If you get lucky I get lucky lol
Very sound advice on the pool.
But do I actually do it? (That's just a rhetorical question that doesn't require an answer. I think you already know the answer to it.) It's on my to-do list... to put the rules in writing... hopefully soon....
I've already run into a sticky/awkward situation. There are enough partcipants that I can usually play all 35 Power Ball numbers, thus generating a 4 dollar win. All of the partcipants have verbally agreed it would be rolled into the next drawing.
One day, a new guy showed up at my desk, he had heard there was a lottery pool, and asked could he join. I said "Sure" and I took his two bucks. It was then that I realized if we win big off those two lines we bought with the 4 bucks we won in the previous draw, what does that mean for the new guy? What if we won just a $10,000 prize??? He hadn't contributed to the 4 dollar win, yet his two bucks would be in the pool that might win $10,000.... not good.
Like I said.... everyone in "the pool" gets an equal share regardless if their current on "dues" or not.
YOU think that way, and so do I. But I can guarantee you, there's folks in that pool who dont sahre our opinion.
Then let them be the ones to pay attorneys fees and court costs to fight it.
Hopefully it wont hold up collecting the winnings.......
"Dues or not?"
I guess those abled individuals on government assistance hold to the same philosopphy!
Forget powerball, I'm playing mega millions instead. I'll settle for a measly 41 million dollars
Its a new day in America. "Dues" are not required of anyone.
Everyone employed by the company should get a share based on the fact that it's a "company" pool...
This is what political psychiatrsits refer to as Election Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. You are identfiying with the "dictator"!
Right on my birthday
Yeah, I'm playing Mega Millions on Friday because it is on the sixth draw in the current run, and the last jackpot won was on the fifth draw, and seeing that game is still only $1, that is good enough for me. Powerball, I will only play if the advertised jackpot is revised and ends in 2-, 3-, or 4- million (today being the 22, tomorrow the 23, and Saturday the 24), since that game is $2, that condition AND the condition that it is at or past the level where it was last won (which it was on only the second draw last time). An exception to this rule is if the Powerball CASH jackpot rolls to a record (currently $474 million, which is still at least two rolls away), then I will play regardless of the advertised jackpot single millions digit.
On another note, considering the numbers picked, I'm surprised there were only THREE second place winners, when the ticket sales suggests there should have been eight winners. I'll bet the MUSL folks are doing the happy dance because of this! Now, if Saturday's jackpot is not won, imagine how high the pot will go. We may very well see it double!!
Happy Thanksgiving Birthday conduit
Does this mean I could randomly start taking "dictation" in public...........