The Powerball lottery jackpot continues to build, nearly matching the $225 million jackpot level attained by Mega Millions earlier this month before it was won by three tickets from California, Ohio, and Virginia.
Because no one correctly matched all six numbers the jackpot grew to an estimated $222 million for Wednesday night's drawing, with a cash option of $113 million.
It is the largest Powerball jackpot in more than a year. The last Powerball jackpot to reach this level was a $275 Million jackpot on March 15, 2008.
Even though the grand prize was not hit Saturday evening, 1,195,213 players across the nation won a total of $12,069,724 in prizes in "America's Game".
The numbers drawn Wednesday were 19, 23, 34, 52, 57 and the Powerball was 21. The Power Play multiplier was 5.
Eight lucky players correctly matched the first 5 numbers for a $200,000 prize: 3 from Florida (2 with Power Play), 1 from Kansas, 1 from Missouri, 2 from Pennsylvania, and 1 from Wisconsin.
The 3 tickets that were purchased with the Power Play option automatically had their winining tickets multiplied to $1 million each.
40 tickets matched 4 white numbers plus the Powerball and won $10,000.
Three of the winners of that prize category purchased the Power Play option that multiplied the win 5 times for a total of $50,000.
A total of 198,384 winning Powerball players multiplied their prize by 5 Saturday. They were able to do that by purchasing the Power Play option for one dollar. With Power Play you multiply any winnings from 2-5 times, except for the jackpot. At the beginning of each drawing that night's multiplier is selected by computer random number generator.
Players should carefully check their tickets after every draw. Even if there are no jackpot winners there are always tens of thousands of winners at other prize levels.
Players purchased $48,153,142 in Powerball and Power Play tickets between Thursday and Saturday night.
The lotteries sold more than $2.56 billion in Powerball tickets in FY08. That translates into more than $743 million for worthwhile state projects.
Powerball is now played in 30 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Powerball is just building itself towards a world record jackpot.They promised us huge jackpots when Florida joined MUSL and now they are trying to live up to all the hype.I hope it reaches a new record before it hits again.
Duece's Wild.........Hope this jackpot rolls to a record.............Good Luck Everyone.....
Expect increase of 100+ mill before a winner.
I got an advance play pb ticket with first five numbers 6 7 17 28 40. I'd be mad happy if I hit the $200K. Just enough to set me on my way. I hope Refafu hears me.
I don't need it to keep rolling. I hope it gets hit this Wednesday...by me!
I hope a nice guy from Pennsylvania wins !
Me !
Social Security doesn't go very far !
I think a 40 mile trip to Kentuky is worth the trip now LOL
Just hope I don't see my brother-in-laws LOL
Is this a record jackpot since Florida joined or latest matrix change.
What was the previous record.
I recall PB as be getting over $100M.
If memory serves,the largest Powerball jackpot was 365 million dollars.I think it was won in Nebraska by 8 or 9 people that had a lottery pool.
Just want to know is it possible to play powerball online? Is it ok legal? Any advice greatly appreciated. Tired of collecting unemployment haven't had any luck finding a job planning to go back to school, decide to play lottery I did told myself i won't be playing it for a while but I guess its tempting no I'm not addicted just dream that I will will win BIG someday like millions of other out there......thank you for for anyone advice & feedback!
I already have the 77 mil after taxes already budgeted...
So buy lots of tickets and add to my fund!
MarkP
Well, I wish you luck. Here are some lucky numbers 06-13-23-48-59-21 and 06-13-33-46-48-12
GOD please hear my prayer of winning the jackpot...I just got mine...waiting for my millions now.....everything is set.
Good luck to all.
HIGH Powerball should make RPAUL CEO of Tn lottery happy!C2
well i got some tickets while i was in florida on vacation, winning will make the trip even better!!!!
Hey grandajohn...dont worry...if you hit for 222million your brother-in-laws will be at your doorstep with,"we just stop by to say hello" to you..
I myself have to drive 25 miles from City Island in the bronx to CT.
Best of luck to all LP the night of the drawering
Between the two games, Powerball does have the bigger advantage of getting a new record. Which holds it back a little is the $25 million max increase once it gets there.
Two main reasons why it could:
1. The odds of the jackpot are higher than Mega Million, at almost 1 in 200 million.
2. Sales are low compared to Mega Millions leaving more combos unplayed each drawing.
Mega Millions sales at $181 million: $55,348,833
Powerball sales at $192 million: $41,368,451.
Brad
I don't understand why $222 million is more exciting than $22 million. I suppose it gives someone the opportunity to share more, but the odds are still the same when the jackpot is lower. Anyway, to me, the fact that a game reaches $222 million and keeps rolling is proof that the odds are astronomical. Still, I'm like the rest of the fools who keep hoping the lottery fairy will be on vacation in FL and sprinkle a little dust on me. Wish I didn't feel compelled to pay for PP, since I could buy more tickets for the same money, but I fear the day I don't, I'll get 4 or 5 numbers and do this
Look at this way, the odds of you doing this are no better than your odds are matching 4 or 5 numbers.
Or think of it this way- instead of buying 5 lines with PP, you bought 10 lines without PP and on the 10th line you matched 5. Woud you still ?
RJOh-- be honest, just to "feel" that you are covering ALL the bases, are you playing Powerplay each drawing too (as justexploring & a few millions of us weekly players do)?
To be honest, I haven't played PowerBall since its last matrix change. Gas prices went up and I stopped traveling to Indiana to buy PB tickets and just played MegaMillons locally but when I was playing PB I never bought PowerPlay. I preferred increasing my chances of winning something rather than increasing my chances of winning more if I won something.
Now that gas prices are down and the PB jackpot is up, I may start making those road trips again but I still won't be paying extra for PP.
POWERBALL PLAYERS LET THIS PARTY BEGIN ! THE POWERBALL HIT 1.5 BILLION?
isn't it amazing how Mrs. Paul complains about powerball shortcommings and needing 300 million jackpots to replace 10 million in a shortfall and all of a sudden here we are at 222 million and we have had big money winners all month..... check out the story on "the lottery post" about the needs of tennessee and large powerball jackpots to make sales/profits higher...
Also i would like to give a "future" congrats to the jackpot winner in either Florida or Pennselvania... enjoy my money, and buy american cars instead of imports....
Sorry guys and gals, I'll be winning the $222M this Wednesday.
Sorry - but Pennsylvania hasn't won for a few jackpots !
The little guy from Western PA gets it this time !
Nope, it's gonna be Florida's turn.
I hope Indiana increases their winner record.
I just put a downpayment on a BMW 335D and I sold my condo and put a downpayment on a house because I know I'll win Wednesday.
Really?
Gotta say I can't believe I drove to Ten to get my Powerball ticket. 222 mil You never know what my luck can be. It was just a once in million I am willing to take the risk I am really fortunate to know I am a winner when that day come....Wedenesday are my lucky day so good to myself && all the player out there!!!!!!! Universe I am feeling it!!! HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY EVEYRONE!!! GOD BLESS
Seriously, SCREW FLORIDA. They're the reason why the Powerball is harder to win. They already have a successful state lottery why have another? States will small State-lottery prizes should have the Powerball and Mega games.
Knowing my luck one of them would win the $222 million and just drank it away
If you were anonymous, you wouldn't have to worry about relatives coming by.
True, but most states won't allow you to be anonymous if you win.
DID YOU PLAY THESE # 57363755PB35 IN PENNSYLVANIA?THANK YOU FOR THE WINNING TICKET
I plan on investing in real estate when I get the jackpot. Houses and lots. A whole lot of cat houses and lots of whiskey.-weshar75
What Kansas has it this time....Lets wait and see.....wow thats alot of money.....I would definitely go on a vacation with my family for a week in some island then come back and deal with the money.....I cant wait...
Had a DRs appointment in Pittsburgh .....................
Just happened to drive by Bentley Pittsburgh after that !!!!!!!!!
Saw a Bentley Azure with my name on it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I suspect more then one ticket will carry the winning numbers. Thus splitting the cash jackpot of 84 mill. Nuthin to sneeze about when 1 million would be enough to make it thru the economic hardships. I've no doubt I will part of the group that contributes. The odds are more in my favor of losing then winning.A realist accepts this and still believes in the stars. :)
It wil be interesting to read how the winner acquired the ticket. It seems they often have a quirky story to tell.
ONE TICKET MAY WIN IF YOU DID NOT PLAY THE # I PLAY
HARDSHIPS CAN BE OVER
THE ODDS IS TO WIN BE A STAR AND SHINE
TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT TO BE A WINNER
Since I didn't win I hope it rolls again!
I know someone hit tonight because it was all low numbers...a lot of good age numbers etc..
There was one winning ticket and it was sold in South Dakota.
I knew it would be hit tonight. It is getting a little too predictable.
Who told you this? When I checked the numbers tonight, the FL site showed someone in Florida won, so there must be 2 winners.
By the way, I don't understand the negative comments on this thread concerning FL. We contribute more to PB than any other state AFAIK.
Frankly, I wish we didn't have it. Too tempting.