![Powerball](/images/newsicons/newsicon_powerball.jpg)
Big sales volume prompts early jackpot increase
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 Wednesday's drawing to $485 million.
The all-important lump-sum cash value of the jackpot has been raised to $327.7 million — still the 5th-largest cash jackpot ever offered in a United States lottery.
Lottery players seeking to check the winning numbers Wednesday night are urged to use USA Mega (www.usamega.com). State lottery Web sites are normally 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 Wednesday, 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.
$485 Million Woo Hoo
![Dance Dance](/emoticons/dance.gif)
maybe one more roll, just one?.........if I dont win of course
When you use your imagination on these monster jackpots:
I get dizzy just looking at all those Benjamins but I will still not be buying an extra ticket however tempted I am.
I couldn't have put it better myself![Green laugh Green laugh](/emoticons/smilielol.gif)
Its always good when the cash value is running 67% of a jackpot this size....its all about the cash
I'm banking that at best it has one more roll in this Jackpot. But i also think we will have one more bump before tomorrow night. Jackpot ending somewhere around $510-$515million.
If no one wins tomorrow I wonder what the JP will be on Saturday the 14th...
05 11 16 26 50 / 01
If no one wins tomorrow, we potentially will have the largest U.S. Jackpot ever.
SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!![Hurray! Hurray!](/emoticons/hurray.gif)
If I don't have a heart attack first from winning![Big Grin Big Grin](/emoticons/biggrin.gif)
$485 million might just be enough to start upping the size of my fast food combos.Would be surprised if it's still under $500 million by draw time.