By Todd Northrop
Just over a month after the Mega Millions lottery created two mega-millionaires with a gigantic $648 million jackpot, the multi-state Powerball game is back with a jackpot counter-punch worth a whopping $247 million.
The new high-water mark of $247 million for the current Powerball jackpot was achieved after no winning tickets were sold for Wednesday night's $219.6 million grand prize.
The lump-sum cash payout value of Saturday's Powerball jackpot is $142.5 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.
Players should note that jackpot amounts are conservative estimates provided by the lotteries, and are often somewhat higher by the time the drawing occurs. For example, the original estimate for Wednesday's drawing was $215 million, but by the time all the proceeds were counted just before draw-time, the jackpot had swelled to $219.6 million.
The mammoth prize is the result of 12 consecutive draws without a winner. The run-up started as a $40 million prize on Dec. 28, 2013.
The winning numbers for Wed., Feb. 5, 2013 were 8, 17, 32, 57, and 59, with Powerball number 24. The Power Play number was 3.
Even though nobody won the jackpot Wednesday, 3 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $1,000,000 prize: 1 from Illinois, 1 from Minnesota, and 1 from South Carolina.
Only one of the second-prize winners purchased the Power Play option — the ticket sold in South Carolina. Because that ticket was purchased with the Power Play option, their second-prize win is automatically doubled to $2 million.
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.
35 tickets matched four white numbers plus the Powerball and won $10,000. Of those tickets, 3 were purchased with the Power Play option, increasing the prize to $30,000, and 6 of the tickets were sold in California, where the prize was worth $7,725 this drawing.
Following the Wednesday drawing, the Powerball annuity jackpot estimate was raised $27.4 million from its previous amount of $219.6 million. The cash value was raised by $15.7 million from its previous amount of $126.8 million.
The next Powerball drawing will take place Saturday night at 10:59 pm Eastern Time.
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 43 states, plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Tickets cost $2 each.
A 44th Powerball state will be added later this year, as the state of Wyoming has approved a new state lottery with the intention of joining Powerball and other multi-state games. (See Wyoming officially becomes 44th state with a lottery, Lottery Post, Mar. 14, 2013.)
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.
I recon $250 Million is the new standard to get the fever going again. What house will ya buy? What Car will ya buy? Or....in the words of David Lee Roth "I wonder what the teacher is gonna look like this year!?!"
Time for the fun to begin again. Already got my personal and pool tickets for two draws.
Ha ha! The usual states that win constantly ain't getting any of my money.
Yep!! Its warming up. Just a little, but its getting warm!!! I hope no winner until March 15 or later....
I cant say that, cause I hope someone hit this Saturday....specifcally...me
Rolling till March 15th huh? You must be hoping for a billion dollar jackpot.
I'll take this one on Saturday ........ over $80,000,000 after Federal Seizure!
Excellent description hahahahaha federal seizure, how appropriate.
LOLOL @ dp
silly boy, its for redistribution and debt reduction
You know it!!!!!
It will take 400mill to get the champagne flowing. The big mega has killed the frenzy excitement.
$247M? Meh... Wake me when it's over $400M.
At the extremely slow rate of sales for PB at the start of this year, that won't be for a couple weeks more. Especially if this winter weather continues.
One ticket. I'm in for just one ticket. With Powerplay.
Multiple tickets for Ohio Lottery at $59.6 mil, and Michigan Lottery right across state line not too far at $3 mil. Either work just fine. And much better odds.
Nobodys won Ohio classic Lotto yet!? I cant remember when the last time it was won, is it a record yet?
Hasn't been won in about two years. Don't know for certain about a record, but gotta believe it has to be.
I agree with everyone else that's saying there's not really enough to get excited about. We had a pool at the job for when the jackpot was above 100 mil. Now we've changed it to when the Jackpot is over 300 mill then we'll play. There's about 50 of us so we won't be rolling in the dough but it will put a smile on our faces.
I'm in every PB draw. I'm ok with winning the $2 million 2nd prize (with powerplay).
I got a two week ticket today with four draws. Two lines with powerplay for $6 and I also would gladly take the $2 million RCBBuckeye. Debt free and money in the bank now come on numbers.-weshar75
I am somewhat surprised that USA Mega's site doesn't mention the Ohio Classic Lotto being at $59.8 million when
they list FL, CA and NY Lotto which have much lower prize amounts.
Roger that, buckeye.
The last time jackpot fever was discussed someone mentioned that the kick off point for it is now $300M. It seems to keep creeping up.
The media might as well keep file films and use them instead of interviewing a new batch of all-of-a-sudden lotto experts.
I hope someone hits it before that all starts again.
well I still stand by my previous post about the starting point of the lotto frenzy of $300 milllion
but if it creeps up any further then that .... I'll be dipped and buried in a hill of fire ants
Tickets now purchased for both PB & MM.....Dear Santa, I have been a good boy this year(so far),please make one of my tickets a winner.
From your favorite person in the whole world.
CD
P.S. Dont trust hearsetrax, he said that anthill comment about you cause he got a yoyo in his stocking last year.
$247 MILLION sounds good to me.........
Agree. Obviously they're going for the 'biggest' states population (and sales) wise, but $59.8 mil is way above any other state prize. Got my five tickets for Saturday. Will get three for Mich. draw tomorrow. $3 mil I can work with too.
I TURNED $3 DOLLARS INTO $21 DOLLARS.
BUYING MULTIPLE LOTTERY TICKETS PER DRAWING INCREASES YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING A LOTTERY JACKPOT.
BUT IT ONLY TAKES 1 COMBINATION TO WIN THE JACKPOT.
YOU WILL NOT GO BROKE BY BUYING 1 COMBINATION SOMEDAY.
BUY ZERO LOTTERY TICKETS TO HAVE ZERO LOSSES.
Heard a comedian state," the lottery cost us $169 billion to play but that $169 billion was won by others." It was funny to hear but totally inaccurate.The government,which permits us to gamble, gets a sizeable chunk of the proceeds.Also question the accuracy of that $169 billion amount.
Still appreciate the discussion that the lump-sum option is the best choice since it may relieve your family from inheritance taxes which are substantial,along with the yearly tax burden of an annuity. Even if one takes the lump-sum, and does not spend it all, the inheritance tax will still have to be addressed. Any Suggestions on tax shelters?
The lump-sum cash option, may be the preferred choice for most players. Being a creature of habit,still check off the annuity option.
Got to break that habit. 
Still might get another Powerball ticket with the cash option.
Another monster jackpot, Oh Yeah, Ye Hah, and Yahoo!!
To repeat the mantra: "2014 is the year for big jackpot winners."