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How to play Powerball

By Mateo Ramírez · Reviewed

In one sentence

You pick 5 numbers from 1 to 69 and a Powerball from 1 to 26; match all six for the jackpot, with smaller prizes down to matching the Powerball alone.[1]

1The rules in six steps

  1. Pick 5 different numbers from 1 to 69 (the white balls).
  2. Pick 1 number from 1 to 26: the Powerball. It comes from a separate drum, so it can repeat one of your white numbers.
  3. Optionally add Power Play for US$1 to multiply non-jackpot prizes.
  4. Or ask for a Quick Pick and let the system choose for you.
  5. Wait for the draw: Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, 10:59 pm Eastern Time (around 05:59 SAST the next morning).
  6. Check your ticket against the latest results: the 5 white balls in any order, and the Powerball separately.

2Price and options

A Powerball play costs US$2. Power Play adds US$1 and multiplies non-jackpot prizes by 2, 3, 4, 5 or 10. Some states also offer Double Play, a second draw with the same numbers.[2]

3How to tell if you won

There are 9 ways to win. The full chart is on Powerball prizes; each draw's numbers are on the latest results page and in the history.

4How prizes are claimed

Small prizes are paid at retailers in the state where the ticket was bought; large ones are claimed at the state lottery office with the signed original ticket and ID. The jackpot is paid as a 30-year annuity or as a lump sum (around 45–50% of the advertised amount). A non-resident normally has 30% federal tax withheld.[3]

5Playing from abroad

Powerball is sold only in the US, but winners do not have to be residents. From South Africa you play through a ticket courier. How it works, costs and tax: playing US lotteries from South Africa.

6Frequently asked questions

How much does Powerball cost?

US$2 per play in the US; US$3 with Power Play. Courier services charge more because they include the purchase service.

Does the order of the numbers matter?

No. The 5 white balls count in any order. Only the Powerball is checked separately.

How long do I have to claim a prize?

It depends on the state where the ticket was bought: usually between 90 days and a year from the draw.

Can I play Powerball from South Africa?

Tickets must be bought in the US, but a foreigner can claim the prize. South Africans use a courier service that buys the ticket in their name. See playing from South Africa.

What if several people win the jackpot?

The jackpot is shared equally among all winning tickets.

Sources

  1. Powerball. "FAQs": draw time, non-resident purchases and claiming prizes. powerball.com
  2. Powerball. "Prizes and Odds", official prize chart. powerball.com
  3. IRS. Publication 515, "Withholding of Tax on Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Entities": 30% withholding and treaty exemptions. irs.gov