Powerball ticket-buying frenzy this week
By Todd Northrop
This week lottery players across the United States will be pulling out all the stops to try and win Powerball, featuring one of the largest lottery jackpots in history, worth an estimated $1.725 billion.
The Powerball jackpot has been building for 35 consecutive drawings since the last winner on July 22. All those drawings have accumulated a massive pile of cash, ready to provide multi-generational wealth to the lucky lottery player who wins it all.
Monday night when there were no Powerball jackpot winners, the new jackpot for Wednesday's drawing was estimated at $1.725 billion, with a lump-sum cash option of $756.6 million. Three-quarters of a billion dollars in cash!
It is the 2nd-largest lottery jackpot in US history, and the 7th-largest cash option ever offered. (See complete top-25 jackpot rankings for annuity and cash values below.)
Of course, any big winner (or winners) of Wednesday's Powerball jackpot will have to pay taxes on their prize, so the website USA Mega has a handy Powerball Jackpot Analysis page available to calculate the federal and state taxes that would be withheld upon payout. The feature calculates both the initial withholdings and the final tax burden due at the end of the year, and even can show taxes calculated for different IRS filing statuses.
Players looking for a nearby lottery retailer — or that out-of-the-way retailer with a smaller line — are encouraged to use Lottery Places, the only app for iOS, Android, and Windows that can locate the nearest lottery retailers in every jurisdiction that sells Powerball and Mega Millions. The helpful app can locate lottery stores in the United States, the United Kingdom, Mexico, much of Canada, and the Caribbean.
Some states offer direct online sales, allowing players to bypass the store and purchase tickets from home. Players can see if they can play Powerball online by tapping the link. Depending on the physical location of the person, the link will either provide access via a licensed butler service or the official state lottery itself.
Butler services provide scanned copies of the purchased lottery tickets securely held on behalf of the customer. In the past, such lottery ticket services were used by people out side the USA to win big jackpots in Oregon and Florida.
The winning numbers for Monday, October 9, 2023 were 16, 34, 46, 55, and 67, with Powerball number 14. The Power Play number was 3.
The Monday Double Play drawing results were 1, 20, 33, 49, and 59, with Powerball number 10. Double Play is a game option currently available in 18 states that lets you play your numbers in a second drawing for $1 per play, with a chance to win up to $10 million in cash. See How to Play Powerball at USA Mega for more information about Double Play.
Even though nobody won the jackpot Monday, 5 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $1,000,000 prize: 1 from California, 1 from Florida, 1 from Indiana, 1 from Oregon, and 1 from Virginia. (The California winner will claim a prize of $1,064,543, due to the state's pari-mutuel payout formula.)
Only the one second-prize ticket sold in Florida was purchased with the Power Play option for an extra $1 per play, doubling their prize to $2 million.
When a Powerball ticket is purchased with the Power Play option for an extra $1 per ticket, a second-prize win is doubled and any other non-jackpot prize is multplied by the Power Play number drawn that evening. A complete list of prizes available for matching various numbers can be found on the Powerball Drawing Detail page at USA Mega, as well as on the Powerball Prize Payouts and the Powerball Double Play Prize Payouts pages at Lottery Post.
The official drawing videos can also be found on the Powerball Drawing Detail page at USA Mega.
Power Play is not available in California, because the fixed nature of the prize increase offered in Power Play is not compatible with California's pari-mutuel payouts. By law, California awards all prizes on a pari-mutuel basis, meaning the prizes will change each drawing based on the number of tickets sold and the number of tickets that won at each prize level.
Also in the Monday drawing, 118 tickets matched four white numbers plus the Powerball and won $50,000. Of those tickets, 17 were purchased with the Power Play option, increasing the prize to $150,000, and 22 of the tickets were sold in California, where the prize was worth $12,387 this drawing.
Following the Monday drawing, the Powerball annuity jackpot estimate was raised $159.8 million from its previous amount of $1.5652 billion and the cash value was raised by $70.1 million from its previous amount of $686.5 million.
The next Powerball drawing will take place Wednesday night at 10:59 pm Eastern Time.
Powerball is played in 45 states, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 10:59 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
Wednesday's Powerball jackpot currently stands as the 2nd-largest lottery jackpot of all time in the United States. Brisk sales will almost certainly push the jackpot estimate higher by draw time.
- Powerball: $2.0401 billion, Nov. 7, 2022 (40 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - California
- Powerball: $1.725 billion, Oct. 11, 2023 (35 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- Mega Millions: $1.602 billion, Aug. 8, 2023 (31 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Florida
- Powerball: $1.5864 billion, Jan. 13, 2016 (19 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - California, Florida, Tennessee
- Mega Millions: $1.537 billion, Oct. 23, 2018 (25 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - South Carolina
- Mega Millions: $1.348 billion, Jan. 13, 2023 (25 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Maine
- Mega Millions: $1.337 billion, Jul. 29, 2022 (29 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Illinois
- Powerball: $1.0798 billion, Jul. 19, 2023 (38 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - California
- Mega Millions: $1.05 billion, Jan. 22, 2021 (36 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Michigan
- Powerball: $768.4 million, Mar. 27, 2019 (25 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - Wisconsin
- Powerball: $758.7 million, Aug. 23, 2017 (20 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - Massachusetts
- Powerball: $754.6 million, Feb. 6, 2023 (33 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Washington
- Powerball: $731.1 million, Jan. 20, 2021 (35 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - Maryland
- Powerball: $699.8 million, Oct. 4, 2021 (40 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - California
- Powerball: $687.8 million, Oct. 27, 2018 (21 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - Iowa, New York
- Mega Millions: $656 million, Mar. 30, 2012 (18 rollovers, starting at $12 million) - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
- Mega Millions: $648 million, Dec. 17, 2013 (21 rollovers, starting at $12 million) - California, Georgia
- Powerball: $632.6 million, Jan 5, 2022 (39 rollovers, starting at $20 million) - California, Wisconsin
- Powerball: $590.5 million, May 18, 2013 (13 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - Florida
- Powerball: $587.5 million, Nov. 28, 2012 (15 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - Arizona, Missouri
- Powerball: $564.1 million, Feb. 11, 2015 (20 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Texas
- Powerball: $559.7 million, Jan. 6, 2018 (20 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - New Hampshire
- Mega Millions: $543 million, Jul. 24, 2018 (22 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - California
- Mega Millions: $536 million, Jul. 8, 2016 (34 rollovers, starting at $15 million) - Indiana
- Mega Millions: $533 million, Mar. 30, 2018 (23 rollovers, starting at $40 million) - New Jersey
The number of jackpots in the top 25, by lottery game, are:
- Powerball: 15
- Mega Millions: 10
Top 25 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 ranks as the 7th-largest cash value in U.S. history.
- Powerball: $997.6 million cash, Nov. 7, 2022 ($2.0401 billion annuity) - California
- Powerball: $983.5 million cash, Jan. 13, 2016 ($1.5864 billion annuity) - California, Florida, Tennessee
- Mega Millions: $877.8 million cash, Oct. 23, 2018 ($1.537 billion annuity) - South Carolina
- Mega Millions: $794.2 million cash, Aug. 8, 2023 ($1.602 billion annuity) - Florida
- Mega Millions: $780.5 million cash, Jul. 29, 2022 ($1.337 billion annuity) - Illinois
- Mega Millions: $776.6 million cash, Jan. 22, 2021 ($1.05 billion annuity) - Michigan
- Powerball: $756.6 million cash, Oct. 11, 2023 ($1.725 billion annuity) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- Mega Millions: $723.5 million cash, Jan. 13, 2023 ($1.348 billion annuity) - Maine
- Powerball: $558.1 million cash, Jul. 19, 2023 ($1.0798 billion annuity) - California
- Powerball: $546.8 million cash, Jan. 20, 2021 ($731.1 million annuity) - Maryland
- Powerball: $496 million cash, Oct. 4, 2021 ($699.8 million annuity) - California
- Powerball: $480.5 million cash, Aug. 23, 2017 ($758.7 million annuity) - Massachusetts
- Powerball: $477 million cash, Mar. 27, 2019 ($768.4 million annuity) - Wisconsin
- Mega Millions: $471 million cash, Mar. 30, 2012 ($656 million annuity) - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
- Powerball: $450.2 million cash, Jan. 5, 2022 ($632.6 million annuity) - California, Wisconsin
- Powerball: $407.2 million cash, Feb. 6, 2023 ($754.6 million annuity) - Washington
- Powerball: $396.2 million cash, Oct. 27, 2018 ($687.8 million annuity) - Iowa, New York
- Powerball: $384.7 million cash, Nov. 28, 2012 ($587.5 million annuity) - Arizona, Missouri
- Powerball: $381.1 million cash, Feb. 11, 2015 ($564.1 million annuity) - North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Texas
- Mega Millions: $378 million cash, Jul. 8, 2016 ($536 million annuity) - Indiana
- Powerball: $370.9 million cash, May 18, 2013 ($590.5 million annuity) - Florida
- Powerball: $352 million cash, Jan. 6, 2018 ($559.7 million annuity) - New Hampshire
- Mega Millions: $349.3 million cash, May 21, 2021 ($516 million annuity) - Pennsylvania
- Mega Millions: $347.6 million cash, Dec. 17, 2013 ($648 million annuity) - California, Georgia
- Powerball: $341.7 million cash, Jul. 30, 2016 ($487 million annuity) - New Hampshire
The number of jackpot cash values in the top 25, by lottery game, are:
- Powerball: 16
- Mega Millions: 9
Really surprised it was not hit thinking those #'s sounded good. Was wrong obviously.
May have to charge up my KLC account and play on-line and will of course look for rescue tickets.
Good luck everyone!!
Yea thinking online but not sure of Jackpocket, jackpot, etc. don't want to go pickup my ticket and they can't print itp
I'm still thinking sat.
I use Jackpocket to purchase my tickets.
I buy from the convenience of my own home. No line. No wait.
Good luck all!
Please GOD, let me win the lottery! Amen
LOL never had to wait in line once in all the years I've been playing
Same hear HT. It also gives me the option of going to different places that could benefit from selling a jackpot winning ticket (especially the mom-n-pop stores).
Only 1 number again . Maybe more numbers next draw.
keep the faith and do what you can to avoid the dreaded lottery hangover
Here in philly, there are many places to get the tickets. The pharmacy near where I work at as well has those automated machines with every game. so I play it then purchase. Most people go to wawa machine, sometimes its down. oh well their loss.
Lol
Exactly
Will the PB Jackpot cross the $2.04 Billion mark and be the top lottery prize, if it is rolled over.
Will it happen ?
<snip> who the lucky winner be !!
Yes, and the guy that won the 2 billion lottery in Cali will win another 2 billion again
Only 1 number on 3 lines. Hope for better next time.
I have always wondered if previous lottery winners do go in full swing when the jackpots are this high to try and hit it again.
I mean they can afford to play even 10K for every drawing when the jackpot is above say 500M.
I hit only one number too
01-02-03-04-05 + 06
🍀🍀🍀
Goodbye 1995 Honda Accord. Hello Porsche 911 GT3
I am feeling good about this Jackpot, Good luck to all.
I'm buying 4 lines this time. Maybe that will help.
Hopefully an LP member.
Gotta correct something:
7. Powerball: $756.6 million cash, Oct. 11, 2023 ($1.725 billion annuity) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet Tennessee
There....All fixed
Lol
Todd?... You posted $1.725 Billion... LOz on the "Results" pg. posted $1.73 Billion... Why the difference?.. Just curious...
Ya wouldn't be gitin a cut of dat JaCkPoT naah wouldja?
thanks 4 jinxing your self
I'd whoop his rear if I see him in line, or any other billionaire lol
ooopsy, you spell Michigan like this, Michigan.
Good luck
I looked into this number combination once. Approximately 10k people play these numbers for every draw. It would actually be hilarious to see the jackpot split that many ways with each winner only receiving $70k or so before taxes.
It has this rhythm that the powerball theme does at least $20 million when the draw isn't won. So that is why I see it as not going to where it should be. I still think Sat a winning ticket then back to the $20 million or is it $40 million.
and thanks 4 jinxing yourself
No, I had anti jinxing man....see
Got 2 picked lines and 3 lines of QPs for Wednesday
good luck to all
Crazy 12 one million dollar winners on Saturday but only 5 last night. Let's go again for Wednesday!
* My Palantir may not be right, but it's never wrong. Another billionaire will be made in CA, it's heartbreaking to millions but it is what it is, as the saying goes.
it's called rounding. 1.725 is more accurate; hence that is what is in the news story.
Exactly, in my area we have so many places that participate in the lottery there is never a line no matter how big the jackpot is. It seems like the lines are in those border states where one state does not participate in the Powerball and Mega Millions and the border state does
Exactly, most of us would not touch the number 1-2-3-4-5-6 with a 10 foot pole. 10 thousand people play this number daily. I often wonder how many people are still playing Hurley's lottery number from the TV show LOST. Hurley's number was 4-8-15-16-23-42, four of the six numbers came out in the Mega Millions drawing of $355M. The numbers were: 4-8-15-25-42-47 in 2011.
41,763 people played that number and won $150 each
Proving no jack pot is so large that it can't become larger $$$$$$$
ChatGPT says you'd have a chance! indeed! yes, one in 295 millions!
almost hit the jackpot, about 200 million numbers. .:)
$5,518,045 after taxes for the MM.
Mmh, I wil take it, so getting a ticket for today's draw 😁
naturally, Draw Sales are getting higher and higher.
I betcha my last weeks olive loaf on pumpernickel sandwich that the pb 'pot will be $1,726,000,000 or higher.
PU! Who brought the beans and frankfurter casserole over to the house for the potluck supper tonite?
Couldn't someone have thought to make Lobster Mac & Cheese?
And another thing, if you bring beans and hot dogs ..... you should also bring brown bread and maybe codcakes. Just saying.
Todd,
As soon as it was determined that no one had won the jackpot, the Illinois lottery said $1,725,000 on it's 800 mumber.
Now I'm wondering what their source is.
I usually check the PB website, but keep in mind at this point they are all estimates.
The Texas lottery website showed that it would be 1.72 yesterday morning. Sometimes it shows what it will roll to the day before the drawing if it isn't won. I don't think there's a ouija board involved but you never know with Texas.
At this point, does it matter if it's $1.725 or 1.730?
Saying its 1.7 anything billion is a mean joke. If it were serious it would say 476 million because thats the most anyone is gonna get.
Saturdays sales were $230,840,180 and last nights sales were $186,354,714. Thats over 22 million tickets difference. Considering its over a billion jackpot it should be going up, not down, even for a Monday.
Last night when I bought my ticket the manager said only 5 or so people had bought powerball tickets all day and its on the border. People just aren't buying the hype anymore.
12.5 M now...
You're right, just less than 1/3 of the advertised Jack pot.
If you want 1b,the Jack pot must be 4b and that won't happen...
A Rollover, huh, because the RigCheaters plan of where the Jackpot winning numbers (the state & lottery terminal were to be) fell out of sync.
So, $230m in sales.. @ $2 per line, that is just 115 million lines.. There are 292.2 possible combinations...
even if every line was unique, that is less than 40% of possible combinations covered .. In reality, even lower number of unique combinations covred..
I will continue to play each game with my 5 plays plus powerplay. I think that I will get one additional 5 plays plus powerplay in quick picks with my usual favorite numbers played. Best of luck to all that play on tonight's drawing!
The $1.725 billion number is the correct, accurate number. Most in the press — including the official Powerball website and (as it was pointed out) the Lottery Post results pages — have rounded that number off to $1.73 billion. USA Mega, however, always shows the full, accurate amount. And I decided to use the accurate amount in the news story here.
Is that a complete accounting of the jackpot number?
Hopefully the jackpot rolls so more of these ninnies come out of the woodwork and nitpick that you're not showing the jackpot down to the absolute cent.
Ehhh....$1.72B or $1.725B or even $1.73B...Good enough for government work.
Besides.....Whats a few Million between friends........
Ooh yes, the annuity moved from 20M to 48M, wow that's awesome.
I will get my ticket with multiplier incase I land a second tier prize 😁