Powerball Power Play variable multiplier to return in January

Oct 23, 2013, 7:21 pm (35 comments)

Powerball

MIDDLETOWN, Pa. — The Powerball Power Play variable prize multiplier will return starting with the Jan. 22, 2014, drawing, the Pennsylvania Lottery said today.

Under new game rules, a separate drawing will be performed to select the Power Play number — a 2, 3, 4 or 5 — for all prizes except the jackpot and the Match 5 prize. The Match 5 prize is $2 million if the Power Play option is purchased.

"The return of the Power Play variable multiplier is expected to be popular with our Powerball players," said Lottery Executive Director Todd Rucci.

The multi-state Powerball game previously used a variable multiplier for Power Play, but a set lower-tier prize structure was adopted in January 2012.

Because of the upcoming change, advance-play sales for Powerball will start to taper after the Wednesday, Oct. 23, drawing. The number of advance plays available for purchase will decrease by one after each drawing until the new game configuration begins in January.

After the Jan. 18 Powerball drawing, players will again be able to purchase up to 13 weeks (26 draws) of advance-play tickets.

Powerball's ticket price will remain $2, and the price of purchasing the Power Play option will remain unchanged at $1.

How to play Powerball (currently): Players pay $2 and select five white balls from the first set of 59 numbers plus a single red ball, the Powerball, from a second set of 35 numbers. Players may select their own numbers using a Powerball playslip, or they may opt for computer-selected quick picks. Players must match all five numbers drawn plus the Powerball number to win the jackpot. There also are eight additional ways for players to win a cash prize. The $1 Power Play option allows a winner to increase non-jackpot prizes. The Match 5+0 prize with Power Play option is worth $2 million.

Powerball tickets are sold in 43 states, Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Thanks to weshar75 for the tip.

Press Release

Comments

billionaire2bee

So what are they saying...they're going back to the 200, 400, 600, 800 thousand 2nd tier prizes

RedStang's avatarRedStang

Nice, and the price does'nt change.

LottoMetro's avatarLottoMetro

I'm sure declining Powerplay sales had something to do with this.

Here are the new multiplier odds:

5X - 1 in 10
4X - 1 in 10
3X - 1 in 3.33
2X - 1 in 2

Pinkpansies's avatarPinkpansies

Quote: Originally posted by billionaire2bee on Oct 23, 2013

So what are they saying...they're going back to the 200, 400, 600, 800 thousand 2nd tier prizes

It says the match 5 prize for Powerplay will remain 2 million dollars, it's the prizes below that, that will have the multiplier take affect.

LottoMetro's avatarLottoMetro

Power Play comparison using weighted multiplier (2.8) effective 2014:

Match Now 2014
5+0 $2,000,000 $2,000,000
4+1 $40,000 $28,000
4+0 $200 $280
3+1 $200 $280
3+0 $14 $20
2+1 $14 $20
1+1 $12 $11
0+1 $12 $11

All figures rounded to whole dollars.

In EV terms, the 2014 change decreases expectancy by 1 cent (bad).

As I suspect, they rarely change the game unless it's in their favor!

TnTicketlosers's avatarTnTicketlosers

Sure is alot of changing in these Lotteries.Now I'm studying Kentucky,it's a close drive than Georgia.Anything is better than playing here.Pick up some Powerball while Im there...

Todd's avatarTodd

I think one of the best and easiest things Powerball can change is to increase the prize for 1 + 1.  I think it's pretty strange to have a separate prize level for 1 + 1 when it awards the exact same prize as 0 + 1.

Lotto Geek's avatarLotto Geek

Hallelujah?

mikeintexas's avatarmikeintexas

Quote: Originally posted by Todd on Oct 23, 2013

I think one of the best and easiest things Powerball can change is to increase the prize for 1 + 1.  I think it's pretty strange to have a separate prize level for 1 + 1 when it awards the exact same prize as 0 + 1.

I've always wondered about that, too.  I started to ask why that was, but was afraid it would be something so simple I'd sound stupid for asking.

I do well enough with that as it is.

Todd's avatarTodd

Quote: Originally posted by Lotto Geek on Oct 23, 2013

Hallelujah?

Hey Lotto Geek, have you stopped blogging?  I miss reading new blog entries from you.

Jon D's avatarJon D

Quote: Originally posted by LottoMetro on Oct 23, 2013

Power Play comparison using weighted multiplier (2.8) effective 2014:

Match Now 2014
5+0 $2,000,000 $2,000,000
4+1 $40,000 $28,000
4+0 $200 $280
3+1 $200 $280
3+0 $14 $20
2+1 $14 $20
1+1 $12 $11
0+1 $12 $11

All figures rounded to whole dollars.

In EV terms, the 2014 change decreases expectancy by 1 cent (bad).

As I suspect, they rarely change the game unless it's in their favor!

It's basically a wash, no real change in total payout. All they've done is increase the variability of the 3rd-9th prizes, that's all.

The real change would be if either MM or PB steps beyond the standard 50% of sales prize pool, to maybe 55% or 60%, then that would be something.

Doesn't matter for us Californians though, being pari-mutuel with no Powerplay option.(I don't miss it though...)

On a side note, Cali finally claimed it's first Powerball Jackpot last night:

FAST N EASY
6451 E SHIELDS AVE
FRESNO CA 93727

Cheers

All I got was a measly 3+1 for $80 but I'll take it. Yes Nod

shyguitar

Quote: Originally posted by LottoMetro on Oct 23, 2013

Power Play comparison using weighted multiplier (2.8) effective 2014:

Match Now 2014
5+0 $2,000,000 $2,000,000
4+1 $40,000 $28,000
4+0 $200 $280
3+1 $200 $280
3+0 $14 $20
2+1 $14 $20
1+1 $12 $11
0+1 $12 $11

All figures rounded to whole dollars.

In EV terms, the 2014 change decreases expectancy by 1 cent (bad).

As I suspect, they rarely change the game unless it's in their favor!

Hi LottoMetro,

Based on your chart it looks like the 4 + 1 will be going down from 40,000 to 28,000. Since I always play Powerball with the powerplay it looks like that is a big letdown. When I play I'm always hoping for at least a lower tier prize since winning the jackpot or the 2nd prize is so impossible. The other increases seem very small and they are going to lower the 1+1 and 0 + 1 to 11 dollars instead of 12 dollars. I'm not sure what the prizes will be if the multiplier is 3 or 4.

Jon D's avatarJon D

Quote: Originally posted by shyguitar on Oct 24, 2013

Hi LottoMetro,

Based on your chart it looks like the 4 + 1 will be going down from 40,000 to 28,000. Since I always play Powerball with the powerplay it looks like that is a big letdown. When I play I'm always hoping for at least a lower tier prize since winning the jackpot or the 2nd prize is so impossible. The other increases seem very small and they are going to lower the 1+1 and 0 + 1 to 11 dollars instead of 12 dollars. I'm not sure what the prizes will be if the multiplier is 3 or 4.

Actually, no, the values he posted were just an approximate weighted average. Those are not the actual prize values you would receive.

Based on the new variable multiplier 2X to 5X, that means your 2nd-9th prizes from Powerplay would be like below:

Match Prizes Prizes (New)
5 of 5 $2,000,000 $2,000,000
4 + PB $40,000 $20,000-$50,000
4 of 5 $200 $200-$500
3 + PB $200 $200-$500
3 of 5 $14 $14-$35
2 + PB $14 $14-$35
1 + PB $12 $8-$20
PB $12 $8-$20
dallascowboyfan's avatardallascowboyfan

Quote: Originally posted by TnTicketlosers on Oct 23, 2013

Sure is alot of changing in these Lotteries.Now I'm studying Kentucky,it's a close drive than Georgia.Anything is better than playing here.Pick up some Powerball while Im there...

I don't blame you TnT, when ever we go to Texas I always multi-draw there state games.

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