By Todd Northrop
Just over a month after the Powerball lottery created three mega-millionaires with a gigantic $448.4 million jackpot, the multi-state game is right back in the super-jackpot range with a massive $317 million grand prize up for grabs on Saturday.
The new high-water mark of $317 million for the current Powerball jackpot was achieved after no winning tickets were sold for Wednesday night's $248.3 million grand prize.
The lump-sum cash payout value of Saturday's Powerball jackpot is $176.3 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 $245 million, but by the time all the proceeds were counted just before draw-time, the jackpot had swelled to $248.3 million.
The mammoth prize is the result of 10 consecutive draws without a winner. The run-up started as a $40 million prize on August 10, 2013.
The winning numbers for Wed., Sept. 11, 2013 were 11, 19, 33, 42, and 52, with Powerball number 33.
Even though nobody won the jackpot Wednesday, 6 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $1,000,000 prize: 1 from Georgia, 1 from Indiana, 1 from Massachusetts, 1 from Nebraska, 1 from New York, and 1 from Pennsylvania.
Only one of the second-prize winners purchased the Power Play option — the ticket sold in Pennsylvania. 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.
56 tickets matched four white numbers plus the Powerball and won $10,000. Of those tickets, 12 were purchased with the Power Play option, increasing the prize to $40,000, and 3 of the tickets were sold in California, where the prize was worth $20,538 this drawing.
Following the Wednesday drawing, the Powerball annuity jackpot estimate was raised $68.7 million from its previous amount of $248.3 million. The cash value was raised by $38.2 million from its previous amount of $138.1 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 some time in the next 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.
Top 25 United States lottery jackpots of all time
Saturday's Powerball jackpot currently stands as the 17th-largest lottery jackpot of all time in the United States. That position may rise before the drawing Saturday night, as lotteries are typically conservative in their initial estimates, and brisk sales may push the jackpot estimate higher by draw time.
- Mega Millions: $656 million, Mar. 30, 2012 - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
- Powerball: $590.5 million, May 18, 2013 - Florida
- Powerball: $587.5 million, Nov. 28, 2012 - Arizona, Missouri
- Powerball: $448.4 million, Aug. 7, 2013 - Minnesota, New Jersey (2)
- Mega Millions: $390 million, Mar. 6, 2007 - Georgia, New Jersey
- Mega Millions: $380 million, Jan. 4, 2011 - Idaho, Washington
- Powerball: $365 million, Feb. 18, 2006 - Nebraska
- The Big Game: $363 million, May 9, 2000 - Illinois, Michigan
- Powerball: $340 million, Oct. 19, 2005 - Oregon
- Powerball: $338.3 million, Mar. 23, 2013 - New Jersey
- Powerball: $337 million, Aug. 15, 2012 - Michigan
- Powerball: $336.4 million, Feb. 11, 2012 - Rhode Island
- Mega Millions: $336 million, Aug. 28, 2009 - California, New York
- The Big Game: $331 million, Apr. 16, 2002 - Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey
- Mega Millions: $330 million, Aug. 31, 2007 - Maryland, New Jersey, Texas, Virginia
- Mega Millions: $319 million, Mar. 25, 2011 - New York
- Powerball: $317 million, Sep. 14, 2013 - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- Mega Millions: $315 million, Nov. 15, 2005 - California
- Powerball: $314.9 million, Dec. 26, 2002 - West Virgina
- Powerball: $314.3 million, Aug. 25, 2007 - Indiana
- Powerball: $295.7 million, Jul. 29, 1998 - Indiana
- Powerball: $295 million, Aug. 25, 2001 - Delaware, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Hampshire
- Mega Millions: $294 million, Jul. 2, 2004 - Massachusetts
- Powerball: $276.3 million, Mar. 15, 2008 - West Virgina
- Mega Millions: $275 million, Feb. 22, 2008 - Georgia
For those keeping score, the number of jackpots in the top 25, by lottery game, are:
- Mega Millions: 9
- Powerball: 14
- The Big Game: 2
The Big Game is the original name of Mega Millions, from the game's first drawing on Sep. 6, 1996 through May 14, 2002. The name was changed to Mega Millions starting with the May 17, 2002 drawing.
Top 25 cash value jackpots
Since many lottery winners collect their winnings in cash, the lump-sum payout is an important measure of what a winning ticket could be worth.
Looking at the cash value, the upcoming Powerball jackpot is even better than the annuity, ranking as the 16th-largest cash value in U.S. history.
- Mega Millions: $471 million cash, Mar. 30, 2012 ($656 million annuity) - Illinois, Kansas, Maryland
- Powerball: $384.7 million cash, Nov. 28, 2012 ($587.5 million annuity) - Arizona, Missouri
- Powerball: $370.9 million cash, May 18, 2013 ($590.5 million annuity) - Florida
- Powerball: $258.2 million cash, Aug. 7, 2013 ($448.4 million annuity) - Minnesota, New Jersey (2)
- Mega Millions: $240 million cash, Jan. 4, 2011 ($380 million annuity) - Idaho, Washington
- Mega Millions: $233.1 million cash, Mar. 6, 2007 ($390 million annuity) - Georgia, New Jersey
- Powerball: $224.7 million cash, Aug. 15, 2012 ($337 million annuity) - Michigan
- Mega Millions: $214 million cash, Aug. 28, 2009 ($336 million annuity) - California, New York
- Powerball: $211 million cash, Mar. 23, 2013 ($338.3 million annuity) - New Jersey
- Powerball: $210 million cash, Feb. 11, 2012 ($336.4 million annuity) - Rhode Island
- Mega Millions: $202.9 million cash, Mar. 25, 2011 ($319 million annuity) - New York
- Mega Millions: $194.4. million cash, Aug. 31, 2007 ($330 million annuity) - Maryland, New Jersey, Texas, Virginia
- Mega Millions: $185 million cash, Nov. 15, 2005 ($315 million annuity) - California
- The Big Game: $180 million cash, May 9, 2000 ($363 million annuity) - Illinois, Michigan
- Powerball: $177.3 million cash, Feb. 18, 2006 ($365 million annuity) - Nebraska
- Powerball: $176.3 million cash, Sep. 14, 2013 ($317 million annuity) - Preliminary estimate, not won yet
- Mega Millions: $168 million cash, July 2, 2004 ($294 million annuity) - Massachusetts
- Mega Millions: $167.7 million cash, Feb. 22, 2008 ($275 million annuity) - Georgia
- Powerball: $166 million cash, Aug. 25, 2001 ($295 million annuity) - Delaware, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Hampshire
- Mega Millions: $165.2 million cash, May 4, 2010 ($266 million annuity) - California
- Powerball: $164.4 million cash, won Oct. 19, 2005 ($340 million annuity) - Oregon
- Mega Millions: $164 million cash, Feb. 28, 2006 ($270 million annuity) - Ohio
- Powerball: $161.5 million cash, July 29, 1998 ($295.7 million annuity) - Indiana
- Mega Millions: $156.1 million cash, Sept. 16, 2005 ($258 million annuity) - New Jersey
- Mega Millions: $153.3 million cash, Dec. 27, 2011 ($208 million annuity) - New York
Seems like huge jackpots is becoming the norm now.
This the kind of jackpot that I like to see!!!
oK Lets go Powerball
Awesome, looking for a Party in Pennsylvania!
Best wishes to all LP friends.
Many faces drooling shouting 'Oh My God"
The fever has started again!!!!
Run go buy your ticket
May you choose the correct numbers! Marty happy winnings!
More spending money for me...or someone else.
i will add $15.00 to this Jackpot this week
Anyone know the winning numbers for saturday drawing. Just imagine if you could see a couple hours into the future.
$317 million
Here we go again!
Ima ready! Bring it on! Woo hoo!
I'll buy one with PP.
Good luck everyone!
Good Luck everyone
I agree! I will add $2 dollars to my normal PB budget of ZERO.
These are my preliminary potential power numbers. (after all i have two more days to overthink things)
24 25 26 good luck everybody.
Stayed with my usual pattern.
1 Texas 2 Step tic for tonight.
1 MM tic w/megaplier for tomorrow night.
1 Texas Lotto tic for Saturday night.
1 PB tic w/powerplay for Saturday night.
1 Texas Cash 5 tic for the next 3 draws.
1 AON tic for the Evening draw tonight.
maybe you can get power play that's what i did this time we'll see what happens
Don't splurge. Remember to PP. Goodluck!
Play responsibly.
I am smelling those crepes on my balcony in Paris!
"Smell those shrimp their beginin' to boil"
"Wasting away again in Margaritaville" LOL.
lol
I spent $4 because the store clerk printed 2 tickets by mistake .............
Yes, I agree, Be careful what you wish for, Karma is a crazy thing sometimes. My life has been proof enought for me. I have my regrets and things I'm happy about. Now, with Powerball, I did not feel lucky at all Wednesday, but I do feel better for the coming weekend. (I play MegaMillions and Powerball, as I can because I reside in Massachusetts.) Good Luck to you all!
If I have $12 to spend on PB tickets, should I get six $2 tickets or four tickets, each with Powerplay?
Mega Millions doesn't seem to get any love Jackpot for 09/13/13 is 119 Million
I'll buy my one ticket... They are becoming the norm because people are tired of living day to day
I've been palying these big jackpot games for some time now and I'm ready to win!!!! I have a bag with about $6,000 worth of losing lottery tickets from over the past 5 years, I'm ready to be the only winner in Ohio tomorrow. If there is a jackpot winner in Ohio that means my prayers were finally answered!!! :)
Both are beautiful!!
If I win the $317M Powerball, I'd like to do stuff like this:
Before:
After:
Yep!
They say all you need is one ticket to win it all and that's good 'cause that's all I ever buy.
Wow! That really is the same location, right? I like their thinking. Improve on what you have.
I think my neighbors might be mad if I expanded into the neighboring townhouses...lol
I wonder how much of the $15 actually goes to the jackpot, and how much goes eleswhere, administration of the game, employees of the MUSL. Anyone know of a source to find this out?
Roger that, CLETU$.
When it's your turn, all you gotta have is that one.
I get two though, birthdays and a QP.
You know me, always swingin' fer the fences, lol.
I used to use birthdays and the number of years that I've been married,then they up and changed the matrix on me.They lowered the numbers on the red balls to less than the number of years I've been married,Now I just do Quick Picks and hope for the best.
Hey Artist, according the website I saw this on, they say it's the same house in the same location. Wow right? So many properties in the country that need updating but it cost so much money. Ya know?
Look at this sweet conversion. From a small Cape Cod to a Craftsman:
Before:
After:
317 million and only 40 comments, man times have changed. ...........lol
Yep...how true.
Clearly we're all suffering from a bad case of big JP fatigue here.
Because I'm such a team player, I'll consent to win this one so the rest of you can get some rest and be ready to go all out next time. I"m just considerate like that.
1 winner. comfortable life style.
130 million now. But when one JP is bigger than the other it puts less focus on the the people who win the lesser JP which is a good thing. I think the PB is going to be won today, so people are going to put their attention back on MM.
I'm buying only two tickets today. Most are wasting money buying one, but wasting 4 dollars is better than wasting 10, 20 or 30 dollars.
I think you can attibute the lower amount of posts on this thread to the fact that Ronnie 316,or whatever his name is,has decided not to hijack this thread!
Gonna play some extra, got a good feeling, good luck everyone
Nice houses!
Only takes 1 ticket to win- yep! When those stars align...
But I think I'll buy at least "two tickets to paradise"... so I can dream about "packing my bags and leaving tonight"
Yep, spending more will be a waste for most, just ask Thrifty
... but if you happen to be the one that plopped down $20 or $30 and won... meh, maybe not eh?
Good Luck all!
Amen to that and to any blind follower that was supporting him in his antics. It is so much nicer to visit LP now and to be able to read a thread without having to scroll through pages and pages of useless icons and name calling.
Golfer: I like the originality for these homes and I can still see the first part. I love porches. Grew up with one.
I will go to safeway and spend $10 for PB. Jacktpot is mine now
a life changing 317 million, may the blessings be there for someone on here
NYL:
(a) 9-14-13 >>>>>>>>>>>PB^^^JackPot>>>>>$317 million.............PB+13
(b) 9-17-13>>>>>>>>>>>MM^^^JackPot>>>>>$130 million.............MB+13
I am holding out for a roll. Ticket sales are actually projected lower than the initial estimate.
If it does roll then it will be $400 million with $223.6 million CVO.
I went to buy 6 tickets with 6 differents stores, locations.
Winner here
I do crazy stuff like that too. Had to drive today, so i did a three ticket three state marathon. NY-NJ-PA. GL
Let it roll..............!
feels like there's gonna be a winner tonight, hope its ohio! Go Buckeyes!
Welcome to Lottery Post Agatha0810. Good luck to you and all of us on tonights drawing.
Virginia I'm the winner.
The Mega is now $130 million!!!
Welcome to the LP
No winner!
maybe better Luck next time
And I'm a billionaire who plays the lottery for fun.
No winner in last night's PB. Here we go again boys and girls, let the frenzy drum on.
Pardon me for asking but, where are Ronnie and others who had a knack for how do I put this delicately, being insipid and cantankerous? I have been incognito for a spell so, I might have missed a few things.
Wow! I agree that having extremely huge jackpot prizes are becoming common. I would love to win half a billion dollar jackpot prize! I would practice law of attraction for this one. I really hope to attract the jackpot prize. Once I win the jackpot prize I will make sure to give back to my community.