Playing powerplay for PB, downside for lotto corporation??

Reply #3

Stack47 — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 03:26:56 GMT

The odds of PowerPlay matching one of the eight secondary prizes is the same and the original bet pays part of the winnings. If you match three numbers, PowerPlay adds another $7 to the $7 prize. Only 3.14% of the tickets are going to win something so the house isn't worried.

And don't forget there is a payoff limit on the 5 + 0 prize if you're playing multiple tickets on one combination.

Reply #2

Jon D — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 00:30:28 GMT

The profit margin is the same on the base PowerBall bet and the PowerPlay side bet: 50%.

Meaning the lottery pays out 50% of total wagers in prizes for the base $2 PB bet, and also pays out 50% of total wagers in prizes for the $1 PP side bet.(in the long term) But that in itself isn't the deciding factor. The lottery offers a mix of various games with a mix of different profit margins, some better for them, some worse.

The real reason Cali doesn't off Powerplay (and Megaplier) is it would... [ More ]

Reply #1

LottoMetro — Sun, 22 Dec 2013 21:05:39 GMT

If there was a downside, they wouldn't offer it.

California is pari-mutuel (prizes paid based on funds in the pool, no guarantees). This conflicts with Powerplay which has guaranteed set prizes. That's why they don't have it. Same for Mega Million's Megaplier.

Playing powerplay for PB, downside for lotto corporation??

bigbear29 — Sun, 22 Dec 2013 20:56:20 GMT

Just wondering if there was a downside for the lotto corporation when people use powerplay when playing powerball? I noticed that California does not use powerplay, or where I searched doesn't show powerplay results.