The Texas Powerball is drawn on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10:12 p.m. CT. Tickets can be purchased up until 9:00 p.m. CT on draw days. The Texas Powerball is a popular lottery game available only in the state of Texas.
The Texas Powerball is a lottery game exclusive to Texas. It offers players a chance to win huge jackpot prizes twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Tickets can be purchased for $2 each at authorized Texas Lottery retailers across the state. Players select five main numbers between 1 and 69 and one Powerball number between 1 and 26. To win the jackpot, players must match all six numbers. The Texas Powerball also offers eight other prize tiers for matching some of the numbers. The jackpot starts at $40 million and continues growing until someone wins it. The current record jackpot is $145 million won in 2013.
Powerball Draw Days and Times
The Texas Powerball drawings take place every Wednesday and Saturday evening at 10:12 p.m. Central Time. Players can buy tickets for the next draw up until 9:00 p.m. on the night of the drawing at authorized Texas Lottery retailers. Tickets cannot be purchased after this cutoff time. The winning numbers are selected using two ball drawing machines which randomly choose five main numbers and the Powerball. The drawings are conducted under tight security at the Texas Lottery draw studios in Austin and are televised across the state. They can also be viewed on the Texas Lottery website after the drawings are finished.
How to Play the Texas Powerball
Playing the Texas Powerball requires selecting five main numbers between 1 and 69 and one Powerball number between 1 and 26. Players can choose their own numbers or use the quick pick option for randomly generated numbers. Each play costs $2. The main numbers are picked out of one draw machine while the Powerball is selected from a separate machine. To win the jackpot, players must match all five main numbers and the Powerball. The overall odds of doing this are 1 in 292.2 million. The prize money rolls over every draw until someone hits the jackpot. There are also eight other smaller prize tiers:
- Match 5 main numbers only – $1 million (1 in 11,688,054 odds)
- Match 4 main numbers and the Powerball – $50,000 (1 in 913,130 odds)
- Match 4 main numbers only – $100 (1 in 36,526 odds)
- Match 3 main numbers and the Powerball – $100 (1 in 14,495 odds)
- Match 3 main numbers only – $7 (1 in 580 odds)
- Match 2 main numbers and the Powerball – $7 (1 in 701 odds)
- Match 1 main number and the Powerball – $4 (1 in 92 odds)
- Match the Powerball only – $4 (1 in 38 odds)
The overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 24.9. The Texas Lottery takes out a 59.5% cut of all ticket sales which helps fund public education and veterans services in the state.
When to Buy Tickets
Tickets for the Texas Powerball can be purchased between draw times at authorized Texas Lottery retailers across the state. The sale cutoff time is 9:00 p.m. CT on the night of the drawings. No tickets can be bought after this time. Many players choose to buy tickets on the day of the draw to have a chance at that night’s jackpot. However, tickets can be purchased in advance for up to 10 consecutive draws. Buying them ahead of time ensures players don’t miss any drawings when jackpots are high. Tickets purchased for advance draws are eligible for every drawing they are intended for. The tickets print out with the dates of the future drawings they are valid for.
Where to Buy Tickets
Texas Powerball tickets are sold at over 19,000 licensed lottery retailers across Texas. These include convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores, and large retail chains. Players can use the Texas Lottery website to find the nearest lottery retailers. Many retailers have player self-service terminals which allow purchasing tickets without having to wait in line. Players must be at least 18 years old to buy Texas Lottery tickets. It is illegal for minors to play. Tickets should be signed after purchase to help prove ownership if won. They cannot be bought online or out of state. Players must be physically in Texas to take part in its lottery games.
Key Facts About the Texas Powerball
- Drawn every Wednesday and Saturday at 10:12 p.m. CT
- $2 per ticket
- Choose 5 main numbers (1-69) and 1 Powerball number (1-26)
- Overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9
- Sales cutoff at 9:00 p.m. CT on draw nights
- Jackpots start at $40 million and roll over if not won
- Record jackpot of $145 million won in February 2013
- Tickets can be bought in advance for up to 10 consecutive draws
- Players must be 18 or older to play
- Tickets sold at over 19,000 Texas Lottery retailers statewide
Strategies for Winning
There is no guaranteed way to win the Texas Powerball since drawings are completely random. However, some people use certain strategies to try improving their odds:
- Buy more tickets – The more number combinations played, the better the odds. But this can get expensive quickly.
- Join a pool – Joining an office or lottery pool allows playing more tickets for less by splitting costs.
- Mix odd and even numbers – Many players use a mix instead of all odd or all even numbers.
- Mix high and low numbers – Balancing high and low numbers is another common strategy.
- Buy consecutive numbers – Some players buy consecutive numerbs in hopes of guaranteeing at least some matches.
- Avoid duplicates – Never choose the same main number twice on one play to increase chances.
In the end, the numbers chosen make no difference. It all comes down to random luck. But using these strategies can at least make playing more fun.
Jackpot Winners
The Texas Lottery has produced several big Powerball winners over the years. Some notable jackpots won include:
- $145 million – Won on 2/23/2013 by Three education groups who split the prize.
- $122 million – Won on 9/5/2009 by a Houston resident.
- $90 million – Won on 1/3/2007 by a Houston area couple.
- $80 million – Won on 12/29/2007 by an El Paso area resident.
In addition to these monster jackpots, there have been many other millionaires and multi-million dollar winners. Texas Lottery winners can choose to remain anonymous, so not all their names are released publicly. Jackpot winners have the choice between receiving the full amount in annual payments over 30 years or taking a reduced lump sum cash payout.
Texas Powerball Payouts
The chart below shows the payout amounts for each prize level in the Texas Powerball based on matching certain numbers:
| Prize Level | Match Numbers | Odds (1 in) | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackpot | 5 Main + Powerball | 292,201,338 | Starting Jackpot |
| 2nd Prize | 5 Main Only | 11,688,053 | $1,000,000 |
| 3rd Prize | 4 Main + Powerball | 913,129 | $50,000 |
| 4th Prize | 4 Main Only | 36,525 | $100 |
| 5th Prize | 3 Main + Powerball | 14,494 | $100 |
| 6th Prize | 3 Main Only | 579 | $7 |
| 7th Prize | 2 Main + Powerball | 701 | $7 |
| 8th Prize | 1 Main + Powerball | 91 | $4 |
| 9th Prize | Powerball Only | 38 | $4 |
As the chart shows, matching more numbers leads to higher prizes. The jackpot starts at $40 million and grows each drawing until someone wins it. The second prize for matching just the 5 main numbers is a fixed $1 million. Overall, the odds of winning any Texas Powerball prize are 1 in 24.9.
Taxes on Winnings
Texas lottery winnings are exempt from state income tax, but winners do have to pay federal tax. How much tax is owed depends on the size of the prize:
- Prizes up to $5,000 – 24% federal tax withholding.
- Prizes between $5,001 and $10,000 – 24% federal tax withholding plus 28% for the amount over $5,000.
- Prizes over $10,000 – 24% federal tax withholding plus 37% for the amount over $10,000.
The Texas Lottery automatically withholds taxes when prize payments are made. Higher tax rates apply to non-residents. After taxes, winners take home the following approximate amounts based on common prize sizes:
| Gross Prize | Federal Tax Withheld | Take Home Amount |
|---|---|---|
| $1 million | $340,000 | $660,000 |
| $100,000 | $28,000 | $72,000 |
| $50,000 | $14,000 | $36,000 |
| $10,000 | $2,700 | $7,300 |
| $7 | $2 | $5 |
Winners are responsible for paying any additional federal tax owed when filing returns. State income tax does not apply to Texas lottery prizes. Form W-2G reporting the winnings is sent to the IRS.
Unclaimed Prizes
Tickets for the Texas Powerball expire 180 days after the drawings they are purchased for. Any prizes not claimed within this timeframe are forfeited. The money from unclaimed prizes is then used to supplement future prize pools or contributed to the Texas Lottery’s education fund. Hundreds of millions in unclaimed Texas Lottery prizes have rolled over to these funds over the years.
Common reasons prizes go unclaimed include:
- Players misplace or damage their tickets.
- They don’t check their tickets after the drawing.
- Retailers fail to pay attention when checking tickets.
- Winning tickets are stolen before being claimed.
To avoid this, players should sign their tickets and keep them in a safe place. They should always double-check their numbers against the winning numbers. Playing lottery games online can also reduce the risk of lost tickets.
Probabilities of Winning
The odds of winning the Texas Powerball jackpot are astronomically low at 1 in 292.2 million. Players are about 50 times more likely to be struck by lightning in their lifetime. But the chances improve significantly for the smaller prizes:
- Match 4 main numbers only – 1 in 36,526
- Match 3 main numbers only – 1 in 580
- Match 2 main numbers only – 1 in 111
A player who buys 50 Powerball tickets has a much better shot at winning one of these smaller prizes. Buying multiple tickets improves the probabilities since each one represents another chance. The downside is spending more money with no guarantees. Playing in an office pool allows buying more tickets at a lower cost per person.
Frequently Asked Questions
What days are the Texas Powerball drawings?
Drawings are held every Wednesday and Saturday evening at 10:12 p.m. Central Time.
What time do ticket sales end on draw days?
Tickets can be purchased until 9:00 p.m. CT on nights of the drawings. Sales are cut off after this time.
Can you buy Powerball tickets online in Texas?
No, Texas prohibits online lottery sales. Tickets must be bought in person from authorized retailers in the state.
What is the biggest Powerball jackpot won in Texas?
The record Texas Powerball jackpot was $145 million, split by three winners in February 2013.
What are the odds of winning the Texas Powerball jackpot?
The overall odds are 1 in 292.2 million. It is very unlikely but possible.
Conclusion
The Texas Powerball gives residents two chances every week to win huge life-changing prizes. Drawings take place at 10:12 p.m. CT every Wednesday and Saturday. Tickets can be bought on draw days until the 9:00 p.m. cutoff time. They are sold at thousands of authorized Texas Lottery retailers around the state. Players choose five main numbers and one Powerball number when playing. Matching all six wins the multimillion dollar jackpot. There are also eight smaller prize levels. While the jackpot odds are extremely low, the overall odds of winning any prize are much more reasonable at 1 in 24.9. The Texas Powerball produces big winners on a regular basis and only takes $2 and a little luck to participate.
