Powerball

Powerball is a lottery game that can be played in 42 U.S. states, as well as in Washington, DC and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is run by the Multi-State Lottery Association.

Powerball players purchase tickets at participating retailers. Players choose five "white" numbers and one "red" number. There are nine ways to win at Powerball, and nine corresponding payouts. All the ways to win involve picking winning numbers. The winning Powerball numbers do not have to be in numerical order.http://www.powerball.com/powerball/pb_prizes.asp

Players that want to play the Powerball can buy a single ticket for $1 at a local store that sells lottery tickets. They can either pick numbers themselves or have the numbers automatically generated from the machine. The player much then match all the numbers with the numbers that are drawn in the next Powerball drawing in order to win the jackpot. There are also smaller prizes for players who only match up some of the numbers on their ticket.http://www.powerball.com/powerball/pb_howtoplay.asp

When the grand prize is won, it is paid out over 29 years as an annuity. Winners can elect to take a lesser payment all at once. The amount of the grand prize varies by how many Powerball tickets are sold each half week.http://www.powerball.com/powerball/pb_howtoplay.aspPlayers can multiply their potential prize amounts by purchasing a random prize amount multiplier along with their Powerball lottery ticket.http://www.powerball.com/powerball/pb_howtoplay.asp

Powerball and Mega Millions are the most popular and widely played lottery games in the United States. Powerball jackpots can sometimes reach more than $300M. Each single play ticket costs $1.00 per drawing. Power Play multipliers can be purchased for an additional $1.00.http://www.powerball.com/powerball/pb_howtoplay.asp Tickets that have Powerball winning numbers have to be redeemed in the same state where they were purchased.http://www.powerball.com/powerball/pb_numbers.asp