By Todd Northrop
Due to larger than expected sales volume, the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) has raised the official Powerball lottery jackpot estimate for Saturday's drawing to $300 million.
The all-important lump-sum cash value of the jackpot has been raised to $172.7 million.
Lottery players seeking to check the winning numbers Saturday night are urged to use USA Mega (www.usamega.com). State lottery Web sites are normally sluggish or brought to a standstill during busy periods, while USA Mega normally remains responsive.
Powerball drawing results will be posted immediately after the 10:59 pm drawing at USA Mega. The number of winners and new jackpot will be announced after all participating Powerball states have reported their data, which normally occurs within a couple of hours after the drawing.
Tickets will remain on sale typically until 10:45 pm Eastern Time on Saturday, although players should check with a lottery retailer in their state for the exact sales cutoff time. Players are advised not to wait until the last minute.
The odds of winning the jackpot are approximately 1 in 175 million. The odds of winning any of the Powerball prizes are approximately 1 in 32.
Powerball tickets cost $2 each.
Lottery players can see an after-tax analysis of the current Powerball jackpot by visiting USA Mega's Jackpot Analysis page.
Powerball features nine different prize levels, ranging from $4 all the way up to the jackpot. Players can win even if they just match one number — the Powerball number.
All states except California also offer the Power Play option for an extra $1 per ticket purchased. The Power Play multiplies any non-jackpot prizes won by a fixed amount, depending on the prize level won.
Players who purchase the Power Play and win second prize will automatically have their prize increased by 2x to $2 million.
So Buying tickets
WOW!!! Time for me to go find Mindy, so I can cut in line. LET THE MADNESS, I MEANT, FUN BEGIN
I haven't had good luck the last 2 months. Think I go to a different store in a different zip code to buy my tickets
Maybe she can make a deal with one the local retailer to be standing in line at their store at a particular time to attract customers who may think cutting in front of her could be lucky.
I purchased to quick picks with my $4 win on Wednesday!
Woo HOO!
a cozy retirement cannot be far off
good luck to yinz all
I just got a text on my lunch from the OKLC that the jackpot increased.
*two LOL
"Powerball drawing results will be posted immediately after the 10:59 pm drawing at USA Mega."
Hey Todd, The way this is worded makes it sound like the drawing is at USA Mega. Hey, that would be great PR if they would go for it!
Good Luck to all!!
If I win this HUGE jackpot I will be buying a HUGE motorhome to avoid the crowds of beggars,
P A R T Y T I M E ! ! ! !
I bought my tickets yesterday. I wanted to beat the rush.
If I win the Powerball jackpot, I will not consider buying a yacht or any boat. A large motorhome, a big ' YES ' on that one.
well the weekend just got that much more interesting
good luck
Awesome that it hit the $300 million mark.