Advance Play is a feature of the Florida Powerball lottery that allows players to buy tickets for future drawings. With Advance Play, players can purchase Powerball tickets for up to 10 consecutive drawings at once. This provides convenience for frequent players by allowing them to purchase multiple draws at one time instead of having to buy tickets before each drawing. Advance Play is available in Florida as well as several other US lottery jurisdictions that offer Powerball.
How Does Advance Play Work?
When you use Advance Play to purchase Powerball tickets in Florida, you are buying entries for the next one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten consecutive Powerball drawings. For example, if you buy an Advance Play ticket on Wednesday for 10 draws, your ticket will be entered into the next 10 Powerball drawings beginning on that Wednesday night.
The tickets printed will show the starting and ending draw dates that the ticket is valid for. All Advance Play tickets will be sequential – you cannot skip drawings or select random future dates. The tickets are valid for the range of consecutive drawings printed on the ticket.
You can buy Advance Play tickets at any authorized Florida Powerball retailer during normal sales hours. Tickets purchased after sales close for the next drawing cannot be cashed or claimed until the first drawing on the ticket occurs. Advance Play purchases can also be made online through the Florida Lottery website or mobile app if you are a registered member.
Benefits of Advance Play
There are several potential benefits to using the Advance Play feature for Florida Powerball:
- Convenience – Don’t have to purchase a ticket before every single drawing. Advance Play allows you to buy in bulk for multiple draws at once.
- Never miss a drawing – No risk of forgetting to buy a ticket or missing cutoff times when you have Advance Play purchased.
- Saves time – Avoid having to go buy tickets repeatedly for each Powerball drawing.
- Planning ahead – Get your Powerball tickets purchased early for your desired upcoming drawings.
- Gifting – Buy Advance Play tickets as gifts for others for their future drawings.
Advance Play gives players flexibility, convenience, and assurance that they will not miss entering any drawings they intend to play. It provides a way to “set it and forget it” for Powerball games for those interested in playing consecutive draws.
Cost of Advance Play
The cost of Advance Play Powerball tickets depends on how many future consecutive drawings you are purchasing tickets for. The minimum Advance Play purchase is one drawing for $2 per ticket. The price increases incrementally for each additional consecutive drawing you add to your Advance Play purchase:
| Number of Drawings | Total Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 drawing | $2 per ticket |
| 2 drawings | $4 per ticket |
| 3 drawings | $6 per ticket |
| 4 drawings | $8 per ticket |
| 5 drawings | $10 per ticket |
| 6 drawings | $12 per ticket |
| 7 drawings | $14 per ticket |
| 8 drawings | $16 per ticket |
| 9 drawings | $18 per ticket |
| 10 drawings | $20 per ticket |
So a 10-draw Advance Play Powerball ticket would cost $20. The more consecutive drawings purchased, the greater discount per drawing compared to buying individually.
Selecting Numbers
When you purchase Advance Play Powerball tickets, you select your numbers for the first drawing you are playing. For example, if you buy Advance Play for 10 drawings on Wednesday, you will pick one set of numbers that will be played for all 10 drawings. You do not get to change the numbers for each individual drawing.
However, you can purchase multiple Advance Play tickets in one transaction and select different number combinations for each ticket. For example, you could buy two 10-draw Advance Play tickets, choosing one set of numbers for the first ticket that covers all 10 drawings, and a different set of numbers for the second ticket that also covers all 10 drawings.
Redeeming Prizes
If your Advance Play Powerball ticket wins a prize during any of the drawings it was purchased for, you can redeem those prizes anytime after the drawing – you do not have to wait until the end of the Advance Play sequence. Prizes can be redeemed at any authorized Florida Lottery retailer or at a district office.
Jackpots and second tier prizes require the ticket be validated directly through a district office. Retailers can pay prizes up to $599 and below. If your Advance Play ticket wins during multiple drawings, you can claim the prizes separately after each drawing.
Advance Play Deadlines
There are cutoff times to keep in mind when purchasing Advance Play Powerball tickets in Florida:
- In person at retailers: Tickets can be purchased up until 10:00 PM EST on the night of that drawing. For example, on Wednesday night you could buy Advance Play tickets for drawings on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
- Online: Tickets must be purchased by 10:00 PM EST on the day of that drawing. For example, on Wednesday you could only buy tickets valid for the Wednesday drawing.
- Powerball tickets cannot be purchased on the day of a drawing for any other future drawings. Only tickets for the current drawing are available after cutoff.
So Advance Play can only be purchased up until 10:00 PM on the night of the first drawing on your ticket. Make sure to get your tickets early to take advantage of the full range of consecutive drawings available.
Buying Tickets Online
For even more convenience, registered members can purchase Advance Play Powerball tickets online through the Florida Lottery website or mobile app. Simply login to your account, select the Powerball game, choose Advance Play, pick the number of drawings (up to 10), select your numbers, and checkout.
Online ticket sales close at 10:00 PM EST on the night of each drawing. So make your purchase early to get tickets for that night’s drawing and additional future ones. Your tickets will be available to view in your online account.
Lottery Pools
You can use Advance Play to buy tickets for your Powerball lottery pool. Purchase group tickets in bulk for multiple upcoming draws. This ensures your pool will stay active and not miss any drawings. Choose the number of drawings that works for your lottery pool’s budget and schedule.
Advance Play makes it easy to keep lottery pools going without the hassle of collecting funds and buying tickets repeatedly. Take advantage of group discounts on Advance Play pooled tickets.
Gift Tickets
Advance Play Powerball tickets also make great gifts. Surprise someone special with lottery tickets for future drawings. Put together a lottery gift basket with Advance Play tickets for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, retirements, or any special occasion.
Customize the gift by selecting special numbers meaningful to the recipient. Include tickets for their lucky numbers, birthdays, anniversaries, ages, etc. Write a personalized message explaining the special numbers you picked. Advance Play Powerball tickets add a fun and thoughtful lottery twist to gift giving.
Game Details
When playing Advance Play Powerball tickets, the game details remain the same:
- Drawings held Wednesday and Saturday nights
- Select 5 numbers from 1 to 69 plus the Powerball from 1 to 26
- Tickets cost $2 per play
- Overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9
- Jackpots start at $20 million and roll until won
- 2nd prize is $1 Million
- Lower tier prizes from $4 to $50,000
The Advance Play feature does not change the Powerball game rules or odds. It simply allows you to conveniently purchase tickets for future drawings in advance.
Where Prize Money Comes From
Advance Play ticket sales contribute to the growing multistate Powerball jackpot. The prize pools increase with each ticket sold, including Advance Play purchases. So the jackpots won by Advance Play ticket holders come from the same pooled funds as regular Powerball ticket buyers.
A portion of each $2 Powerball ticket helps fund the prize pools. Fifty percent of sales goes to the jackpot and lower tier prizes. The other 50% assists in supporting beneficiaries such as education.
Unclaimed Prizes
For any winning Advance Play tickets that are not redeemed, the cash prizes expire 90 days after the draw date. Unclaimed prizes in Florida are added back into future game prize pools to help increase jackpots and payouts.
Make sure to closely check your Advance Play tickets after each drawing. You have up to 90 days to claim any prizes won during the ticket’s validity period. Signing the back and keeping tickets in a safe place is recommended.
Tax Reporting
For tax reporting, any prizes of $600 or more from Advance Play tickets are subject to federal withholding and will receive a W2-G form. This applies to the total amount won overall, not just for an individual drawing prize. Make sure to report any lottery winnings on your tax return.
Buying Responsibly
When purchasing any lottery products including Advance Play, remember to always play responsibly. Only use discretionary income for entertainment purposes, not rent or bill money. Have a budget and stick to it. Don’t chase losses or play compulsively. Enjoy the games responsibly and know your limits.
Security
Advance Play ticket security is the same as standard Powerball tickets. All tickets use thermal ink with security features against fraud. The Florida Lottery also utilizes a centralized computer system to validate winning tickets and prevent cheating. Players should sign the back of tickets for validation.
Winning Strategies
There are no guaranteed winning strategies for Powerball. All number combinations have equal chances of winning. However, players using Advance Play can employ some strategic tips:
- Play consistent sets of numbers across all drawings for better coverage
- Use significant dates or Quick Pick for random number selection
- Cover more combinations by using Advance Play for multiple tickets
- Pool entry purchases with groups to get more tickets
- Take advantage of promotions for extra entries or coupons
Although there are no surefire ways to win, Advance Play helps increase players’ odds over time by entering every upcoming drawing.
Changes to the Game
If the Powerball game rules or number matrix change during an Advance Play ticket’s validity, any remaining draws on the ticket will be conducted under the revised game structure. Your ticket is still eligible for prizes.
For substantial changes, the Florida Lottery may opt to end Advance Play early and require purchase of new tickets under the new guidelines. However they try to honor existing tickets if possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the numbers on my Advance Play ticket for different drawings?
No, you cannot change the numbers. The same set of numbers will be played across all consecutive drawings on your Advance Play Powerball ticket. You can buy multiple tickets to play more number combinations.
What happens if there is a drawing on a holiday during my Advance Play ticket?
Drawings occur as regularly scheduled even on major holidays. Your Advance Play ticket will be entered into every advertised drawing during its validity.
How do I buy an Advance Play Powerball ticket at a retailer?
Ask the cashier for Advance Play and specify how many drawings you want to play. Pay the fee for total drawings, then fill out a playslip with your numbers or ask for Quick Pick numbers. The retailer will print ticket(s) with all future draw dates.
Can I cancel or receive a refund on unused Advance Play tickets?
No, lottery tickets including Advance Play cannot be canceled or refunded once purchased. Unplayed tickets are not eligible for a refund.
What happens if I lose or accidentally destroy my Advance Play tickets?
Damaged, lost, or stolen Advance Play tickets cannot be replaced, canceled, or refunded. Be sure to sign the back and store tickets securely. Destroyed tickets with prizes can still be claimed if validated.
Conclusion
Advance Play provides Florida Powerball players with a quick, easy way to purchase tickets for multiple upcoming drawings. Take advantage of the convenience and planning abilities. Never miss a drawing and take the hassle out of buying frequent lottery tickets. Use Advance Play to enhance your Powerball fun and play.