So you’ve heard the news – the Powerball jackpot for the next drawing is up to a whopping $1.2 billion. Your mind is already racing thinking about how you’d spend all those winnings. Before you run out and buy a fistful of tickets, take a breath and read through these frequently asked questions about Powerball and how the game actually works.

Powerball Jackpot Reaches $1.2 Billion – The Largest in History

The Powerball jackpot is at an all-time high of $1.2 billion – the largest in history! If you’re hoping to cash in on this historic prize, here are some key things you need to know:

To play, you’ll need to pick 5 numbers between 1 and 69 and one Powerball number between 1 and 26. You can pick your own numbers or have the lottery terminal randomly select numbers for you. Each Powerball ticket costs $2.

Drawings are held every Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET. You must buy your tickets by 9:59 p.m. ET on the night of the drawing to be eligible to win. Tickets are sold in 44 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

If there are multiple jackpot winners, the prize will be split evenly among them. Winners can choose to receive their winnings as an annuitized prize paid over 29 years or as a lump sum payment. The cash value of this jackpot is estimated at $806.5 million.

The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million. While the odds are small, someone has to win – and it could be you! Even if you don’t win the jackpot, there are 8 other ways to win prizes ranging from $4 to $1 million.

Don’t delay – get your tickets now for a chance at this life-changing jackpot. Someone’s winnings are about to get a whole lot bigger. Will it be yours? Play Powerball and find out!

How to Play Powerball – Rules and Odds of Winning

So you want to take a chance at the $1.2 billion jackpot? Here’s how to play Powerball and maybe win big.

To get in the game, you’ll need to buy a ticket. Find a participating retailer, like convenience stores, gas stations, and supermarkets, and purchase your Powerball playslip or ask the clerk for a Quick Pick. Each play costs $2.

Pick your numbers

On the playslip, pick 5 numbers between 1 and 69 for the white balls. Then pick one red Powerball number between 1 and 26. If you want, you can have the terminal randomly pick numbers for you with a Quick Pick. The odds of winning a prize are 1 in 24.9.

Watch the drawings

Drawings are held every Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Tune in to watch the drawing show on TV or live stream on Powerball.com to see if you’re an instant millionaire! The jackpot grows bigger and bigger each time it’s not won.

Check your ticket

After the drawing, double check your ticket against the winning numbers. If you match all 6 numbers, you win the jackpot! Match 5 numbers and the Powerball, you win $1 million. Other prizes range from $4 to $1 million. Winners have 180 days from the draw date to claim their prize.

With a little luck, you could be the next Powerball jackpot winner. But even if you don’t take home the grand prize, you’ll still have the thrill of playing. Why not take a chance—you never know! Someone’s gotta win, so it might as well be you. Go get your ticket and start dreaming big. Good luck!

Where to Buy Powerball Tickets Near Me

So you want to get in on the action and buy a Powerball ticket for that huge $1.2 billion jackpot. Now you just need to find a place to purchase your ticket before the next drawing. There are thousands of retailers across the US that sell Powerball tickets, so you have plenty of options.

Gas Stations and Convenience Stores

Gas stations and convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Circle K, and WaWa are popular places to buy Powerball tickets. These locations are open extended hours and already handle a lot of small cash transactions, so buying a Powerball ticket is convenient. They also typically have self-service kiosks if you prefer to avoid the checkout line.

Grocery Stores

Most major grocery store chains offer Powerball tickets at their customer service desks or self-checkout kiosks. Stores like Publix, Kroger, Safeway, and Meijer are all licensed Powerball retailers. While you’re grabbing milk and eggs, you can easily pick up a Powerball ticket on the way to the checkout.

Big Box Stores

Large retailers like Walmart, Target, and Costco have also gotten in on Powerball ticket sales. Head to their customer service desk or checkout lanes to purchase your tickets. These massive stores are open late and frequented by millions of shoppers weekly, so they’re perfectly positioned to handle Powerball ticket demand.

Lottery Retailers

Some states operate official state lottery claim centers and retailers that specialize specifically in lottery ticket sales. These dedicated retailers like Jackpocket and Lottery.com focus solely on lottery games, so they’ll have Powerball tickets for sure. They may also stay open later specifically for big jackpot nights.

The next Powerball drawing could make you an instant billionaire, so find a licensed retailer near you and get your tickets before it’s too late! Every ticket has a chance to win, so why not give it a shot? You’ve got nothing to lose but a few dollars, and everything to gain if those numbers match up just right. Good luck!

Past Big Powerball Jackpot Winners – Where Are They Now?

Have you ever wondered what happened to past winners of huge Powerball jackpots? When millions of dollars are suddenly dropped in your lap, life changes fast. Some winners thrive while others struggle. Let’s look at a few of the biggest Powerball winners and where they ended up.

Winner: Gloria MacKenzie ($590 million in 2013)

Gloria was an 84-year-old great-grandmother from Florida who took the one-time lump sum payout of $278 million after taxes. Not much is known about what she did with the money, but at her age, she likely didn’t make any huge lifestyle changes. Her son did comment that some of the winnings helped pay for medical bills.

Winners: John and Lisa Robinson ($1.6 billion in 2016)

This Tennessee couple elected to take their winnings as a lump sum of $327.8 million after taxes. They said they wanted to pay off their mortgage, buy new vehicles, and donate to their church. Beyond that, they planned to continue working their jobs and live normal lives. “We just want to be ourselves,” said John. Wise choice.

Winner: Andrew “Jack” Whittaker ($314 million in 2002)

Jack took the all-cash option of $114 million but his life soon fell apart. He was robbed, sued, and his granddaughter died of a drug overdose. Constantly asking for loans and handouts, Jack said, “I wish that we had torn the ticket up.” His sad story is a cautionary tale of how not to handle sudden wealth and fame.

As you can see, life after a huge lottery win isn’t always easy street. But with careful planning, the support of financial advisors, and maintaining a normal lifestyle, some big winners are able to enjoy their fortunes responsibly. If the Powerball jackpot is still making your eyes light up, just remember that money doesn’t necessarily buy happiness. But it sure can help pay the bills! Play responsibly.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Powerball Jackpot

You’ve probably got a few questions about that eye-popping $1.2 billion Powerball jackpot. Let’s go over some of the most frequently asked ones so you know exactly what you’re getting into.

When is the next Powerball drawing?

Powerball drawings are held every Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Tickets can be purchased up until about an hour before the drawing at authorized retailers in participating states.

How much are Powerball tickets?

Powerball tickets are $2 per play. You can pay extra for the Power Play option which increases your non-jackpot winnings. Each ticket has a 1 in 24.9 chance of winning a prize.

How does the Powerball drawing work?

Five white balls are drawn from a drum containing 69 balls. Then one red Powerball is drawn from a drum with 26 balls. To win the jackpot, you need to match all 5 white balls in any order, plus the red Powerball. The jackpot starts at $40 million and rolls over to the next drawing if there is no winner.

What are the odds of winning the Powerball jackpot?

The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292,201,338. You have a much better chance of being struck by lightning in your lifetime (about 1 in 15,300). But as they say, you can’t win if you don’t play!

How much tax will I owe if I win?

If you’re lucky enough to win the Powerball jackpot, be prepared to pay taxes on your prize. Winnings are taxed as income in the year you receive the prize. The tax rate depends on whether you choose the annuitized payments option or the lump-sum cash option. Expect to pay at least 37% in federal taxes, and possibly state taxes as well depending on where you live.

So study up and may the odds be ever in your favor! Who knows, you could be America’s newest billionaire after the next Powerball drawing. But even if you don’t win the jackpot, with a 1 in 24 chance of winning something, it’s still worth throwing a couple bucks at. Good luck!

Conclusion

So there you have it, everything you need to know about the massive Powerball jackpot and how you can get in on the action. $1.2 billion – can you even imagine? Even if the odds of winning are tiny, for the price of a cup of coffee you have the chance to become an instant billionaire. Why not give it a shot? You really have nothing to lose but a few bucks and everything to gain. Who knows, maybe this will be your lucky day and you’ll be calling your boss to quit your job tomorrow morning! Dream big, take a chance, and good luck! Check those numbers carefully after the next drawing. You just never know, it could be you.