Choosing the winning numbers for the million dollar Powerball jackpot is no easy feat. With odds of 1 in 292 million, hitting the jackpot requires a tremendous amount of luck. However, while the odds are stacked against you, it’s not completely random – there are some tips and tricks you can use to slightly improve your chances at winning.
The Powerball lottery is one of the most popular and famous lotteries in the United States. Each Powerball ticket costs $2, and the grand prize starts at $40 million. The jackpot grows until someone wins it, and can reach astronomical amounts in the hundreds of millions.
On January 13, 2016, the Powerball jackpot reached a record-breaking $1.586 billion. The winning numbers were 4, 8, 19, 27, 34, and Powerball 10. The holders of the three jackpot-winning tickets were located in California, Florida, and Tennessee.
While the odds of winning the jackpot are incredibly slim, it’s still fun to fantasize and there are ways to slightly improve your chances. Let’s take a look at some tips for choosing numbers and walk through what a hypothetical winning $1 million dollar ticket might look like.
How It Works
Each Powerball play costs $2. For the $2, you get to choose five main numbers between 1-69, and one Powerball number between 1-26. To hit the jackpot, you must match all five main numbers and the Powerball number. Lower prizes are awarded for matching some of the numbers.
The Powerball drawings are held every Wednesday and Saturday night at 10:59 p.m. ET. To play, you can purchase a Powerball ticket at authorized retailers in 45 participating states, or purchase online via lottery apps or websites in some states.
Overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 24.9. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292 million. To put that in perspective, you are more likely to get struck by lightning or attacked by a shark.
How to Choose Winning Numbers
There is no guaranteed way to predict the winning Powerball numbers, but there are some strategies you can use to try to improve your chances:
- Mix it up – Experts recommend choosing a mixture of odd and even numbers, high and low numbers, and a balance across the number ranges. Don’t pick all numbers under 31 or all numbers over 31, for example.
- Consider quick picks – Some people swear by using the quick pick option and letting the computer randomly select your numbers. This ensures a random assortment.
- Check statistics – You can analyze the statistics of past Powerball drawings to see which numbers get drawn most often. Common numbers include 61, 32, 63, 21, and 58.
- Use birthdays – Using sentimental numbers like birthdays or anniversaries is a popular method. Just make sure to mix in other random numbers as well.
- Form patterns – Some people try to form visual patterns on the play slip like diagonal lines or boxes. This can help ensure a good mix of numbers.
- Avoid consecutive numbers – Numbers in consecutive order like 34-35-36-37-38 are rarely drawn.
- Consider multiples – Multiples of a number, like three instances of 17, also rarely get chosen.
Hypothetical $1 Million Winning Numbers
Let’s imagine a hypothetical set of numbers that could win a $1 million Powerball prize:
Main numbers: 23, 32, 45, 61, 69
Powerball: 18
This meets many of the criteria for potentially winning numbers:
- It has a mix of odd and even numbers.
- The numbers are spread across the full range from 1 to 69.
- It includes some commonly drawn numbers like 32 and 61.
- The numbers are not consecutive or multiples of each other.
- The Powerball 18 is right in the middle range.
Of course, these numbers are just hypothetical. There’s no magic formula for guaranteeing you’ll win. But using some of the tips above can help your chances when you’re dreaming of hitting that million dollar prize.
Other Methods People Try
In addition to the standard methods above, some people use more unconventional or elaborate approaches when selecting numbers in hopes of improving their chances. Some other strategies include:
- Tracking previous winning numbers and looking for trends or patterns.
- Using numerology to generate numbers with personal significance.
- Consulting astrology charts to identify “lucky” numbers for their zodiac sign.
- Using random number generators or Quick Picks.
- Playing the same set of numbers every draw.
- Using lottery wheeling systems that strategically combine different sets of numbers.
- Buying tickets with numbers that are significant dates.
- Picking numbers that correspond to their ages or addresses.
There is no evidence that any of these approaches actually work, but they can make the experience more fun and personalized for some lottery players.
Most Common Powerball Numbers
Analyzing the statistics of previous Powerball draws can help identify which numbers get drawn most frequently. These are some of the most commonly seen main numbers and Powerball numbers:
Most Common Main Numbers
- 61 – Drawn 78 times
- 32 – Drawn 77 times
- 21 – Drawn 73 times
- 63 – Drawn 73 times
- 69 – Drawn 71 times
- 23 – Drawn 70 times
- 36 – Drawn 70 times
- 39 – Drawn 70 times
Most Common Powerball Numbers
- 24 – Drawn 42 times
- 18 – Drawn 41 times
- 4 – Drawn 36 times
- 21 – Drawn 34 times
- 10 – Drawn 33 times
Keep in mind that past performance is no guarantee of future results. But some people consider these commonly drawn numbers lucky and try to include a few in their picks.
Odds of Winning
The odds of winning any Powerball prize are 1 in 24.9. Here are the odds for each prize tier:
| Prize | Odds |
|---|---|
| Grand Prize Jackpot | 1 in 292,201,338 |
| $1 million | 1 in 11,688,053.52 |
| $50,000 | 1 in 913,129.18 |
| $100 | 1 in 91.98 |
As you can see, your odds of winning the jackpot are exceedingly small. But your chances improve substantially for smaller prize tiers. A $1 million prize is still incredibly rare, but you only need to match 5 main numbers, so your chances are about 292 times better than the grand jackpot.
Pick Your Own Numbers vs Quick Pick
One strategy decision when playing Powerball is whether to pick your own number combinations or use the Quick Pick option for random numbers. There are rational arguments on both sides:
- Pick your own: By choosing your own numbers, you can use sentimental dates or follow the tips above to potentially improve your odds. You also get the fun of choosing your fate.
- Quick Pick: With nearly 293 million combinations, picking a random set of numbers ensures your choices are truly random. Some studies have shown Quick Picks have slightly better odds.
In the end, it mostly comes down to personal preference. For the best of both worlds, you can pick a few of your own numbers then let Quick Pick fill in the rest.
Success Stories
While the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are infinitesimal, some lucky people have beat the odds and taken home massive prizes:
- A recent $731.1 million jackpot was won on January 20, 2021 by a single ticket in Maryland.
- The largest ever jackpot of $1.586 billion was split between three tickets on January 13, 2016.
- One winner in South Carolina claimed a $1.537 billion prize on October 23, 2018.
- A Wisconsin winner took home $768.4 million on March 27, 2019.
- A single ticket in California won a $699.8 million jackpot on October 4, 2021.
These winners beat odds of hundreds of millions to one. While past jackpots provide hope, keep in mind that for everyone else, the odds are overwhelmingly not in your favor. Have fun playing, but play responsibly with money you can afford to lose.
State Differences
Powerball is currently offered in 45 participating states, plus Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Rules and procedures vary slightly between jurisdictions:
- In some states like California, ticket sales cut off at 7:45 p.m. local time instead of 10 p.m. ET.
- In Kansas, Kentucky and North Dakota, players can purchase tickets up to 15 draws in advance.
- Some states allow online ticket purchases through official lottery websites or apps.
- Minimum ages to play range from 16 to 21 years old depending on location.
- Prizes may be claimed anonymously in some states, while others require winner publicity.
Make sure to check the official rules and procedures for your jurisdiction. Lottery winnings are also subject to federal and state taxes, which can claiming a large jackpot by up to 40% depending on your state.
Greatest Jackpots in History
Here are the largest Powerball jackpots on record:
- $1.586 billion – January 13, 2016 (split by 3 tickets)
- $768.4 million – March 27, 2019 (1 ticket)
- $758.7 million – August 23, 2017 (1 ticket)
- $731.1 million – January 20, 2021 (1 ticket)
- $699.8 million – October 4, 2021 (1 ticket)
- $687.8 million – October 27, 2018 (2 tickets)
- $590.5 million – May 18, 2013 (1 ticket)
- $587.5 million – November 28, 2012 (2 tickets)
- $564.1 million – February 11, 2015 (3 tickets)
- $559.7 million – January 6, 2018 (1 ticket)
As you can see, some truly astronomical jackpots have been awarded, including the world record $1.586 billion prize. However, these are very rare outlier events. The guaranteed starting jackpot is $40 million, and it often takes many draws for the jackpot to slowly climb into the hundreds of millions before someone gets lucky.
Tips to Increase Your Chances
While winning the jackpot is exceedingly unlikely, here are some tips that can marginally improve your odds of winning a smaller Powerball prize:
- Buy multiple tickets – This gives you more number combinations and chances to get a partial match.
- Join an office pool – Co-workers chip in for group tickets, granting you more playing power.
- Form a lottery pool – Find Powerball pools online to join and benefit from group purchasing.
- Purchase an advance play ticket – This automatically enters your numbers in multiple future consecutive draws.
- Scan your ticket carefully – Double check that you don’t actually have a winning number match you overlooked.
Even if you don’t win big, smaller $7 prizes for matching just the Powerball or $100 prizes for matching a couple main numbers can allow you to reinvest winnings into future tickets.
Biggest Jackpot Winners
Here are some of the luckiest Powerball jackpot winners:
- The $1.586 billion jackpot on January 13, 2016 was split between ticket holders in California, Florida and Tennessee.
- Mavis Wanczyk of Massachusetts was the sole winner of a $758.7 million jackpot on August 23, 2017.
- The $687.8 million October 27, 2018 jackpot was shared between ticketholders in Iowa and New York.
- The Anonymous Trust claimed a $731.1 million prize on January 20, 2021 in Maryland.
- A Wisconsin winner, who remained anonymous, took home a $768.4 million prize on March 27, 2019.
Note that big winners often opt for anonymity or claim through trusts. This helps maintain privacy and reduce harassment that comes with public attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I play Powerball?
To play Powerball, select five different main numbers between 1-69 and one Powerball number between 1-26 on an official play slip. Each ticket costs $2. Drawings are held every Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET.
What days are the Powerball drawings?
Drawings are held every Wednesday and Saturday night at 10:59 p.m. ET.
Can you buy Powerball tickets online?
Yes, some states allow official lottery websites or mobile apps to sell Powerball tickets online. You must be physically located in that state at time of purchase.
How much does it cost to play Powerball?
Each standard Powerball ticket costs $2. You can add on features like multi-draw or multipliers for additional cost.
What time do Powerball sales close?
Sales cut-off times vary by state, but usually occur 1-2 hours before the 10:59 p.m. ET drawing time.
What are the odds of winning Powerball?
The odds are 1 in 292,201,338 to match all 5 main numbers and the Powerball. Lower tier prizes have odds ranging from 1 in 24.9 to 1 in 11 million.
Can Powerball numbers be consecutive?
Yes, consecutive numbers are allowed when picking your own numbers. However, they rarely get randomly drawn as the winning numbers.
How many numbers do you need to win Powerball?
You need to match all 5 main numbers and the Powerball to win the jackpot prize. Lower tiers have prizes for matching some numbers.
Conclusion
Winning the Powerball jackpot requires incredible luck. But you can marginally improve your miniscule chances of success by analyzing number statistics, picking a strategic combination of favorite and random numbers, purchasing multiple tickets at once, and consistently playing over a long period of time. Focus on having fun, rather than obsessing over the jackpot. With a bit of fortune, perhaps those Powerball numbers will eventually align in your favor!