Q&A for How to Play Powerball

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Question

Can non-US citizens play and win the lottery?

Community Answer

Yes, non-US citizens can play and win. However, the tax withheld will be slightly different depending on your country of origin.

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Question

After I buy a ticket, can it be changed from annuity to cash option?

Community Answer

Federal guidelines suggest that if you are a jackpot prize winner but did not choose the cash option at the time of purchase, you will have one last chance to choose the cash option. However, not all states follow this guideline. Check with your state lottery officials.

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Question

What happens if I take an annuity and die before all of the installments have been paid?

Community Answer

If you die before all the installments have been paid, your designated beneficiaries will continue to receive the annually-scheduled payments.

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Question

Doe the numbers have to be drawn in the same order as I pick them?

Community Answer

No, they do not.

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Question

How many numbers do they draw from?

Community Answer

The Powerball team draws five white balls from a drum containing 69 white balls, and one red ball from a container of 26 red balls.

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Question

Can I play a number more than once on a ticket?

Community Answer

No.

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Question

Is there a payoff for matching the Powerball number only?

Community Answer

Yes. $4 payout, or $12 with Power Play.

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Question

What do I win if match one number plus the red ball?

Community Answer

You get $4 without the Power Play option. If you do get the Power Play option, you can get $8, $12, $16, or $20, depending on what multiplier was selected for that drawing.

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Question

What time do I need to buy a powerball ticket by if I live in California?

Community Answer

Powerball drawings occur every Wednesday and Saturday night at 10:59 PM Eastern time. Powerball ticket sales cut off at least 59 minutes before each drawing, so you would need to buy it by 7:00 PM. You can buy them whenever you want on other days.

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Question

What if more than one person wins?

Community Answer

If more than one person wins the jackpot, the prize is equally divided among the winners. All other prizes, from $1,000,000 down to $4, are fixed prize amounts, and are paid in full to each winner.

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Question

Do I have to buy a ticket for each drawing? Or does the same ticket work until the jackpot is hit?

Community Answer

You need a new ticket, the ticket is only good for a single date's drawing.

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Question

Can 18 years old play Powerball?

Community Answer

Yes, as long as you have a form of valid ID proving that you are 18 or older.

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Question

If I live in a state that taxes prizes, but bought my ticket in a state with no tax on prizes, do I still need to pay state tax?

Community Answer

Yes, you do. Think of lottery prizes as regular earned income from a job. You may work in a different state, but that doesn't allow you to get away with not paying state income tax in your state of residence. The lottery works the same way.

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Question

What is the age limit to play?

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Only adults that are aged eighteen or older can play the lottery. While underage people can help pick the numbers, they cannot collect the winnings.

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Question

Which numbers give me the best odds of winning?

Community Answer

All numbers have an equal chance of winning unless you know the winning numbers, which no one does.

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Question

If I win the Powerball, do I need to know which store I bought it from?

Community Answer

You do need to know. That store usually gets a bonus paid out from the lotto.

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Question

Can the winning prize be divided among a number of people?

Community Answer

Yes, though one person has to be designated to actually collect the funds.

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Question

I have matched one red ball, how much is that?

Community Answer

Congratulations, you win a prize! Since you matched the Powerball, you win $4.

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Question

I have two of the five numbers, how much did I win?

Community Answer

If you only have to white balls, you win absolutely nothing. If you have two white balls and the Powerball, you win $7.

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Question

Do I win if I have the Powerball number on a ticket somewhere other than the Powerball position?

Community Answer

No, the number has to be in the Powerball position in order for you to win anything.

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Question

If I only matched one white ball on a ticket, do I win anything?

Community Answer

No, you do not win any money at all if you match only one white ball on your Powerball ticket.

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Question

Do I have to match the numbers going across or any combination when I have more than one game on a ticket?

Community Answer

You cannot mix different rows of numbers. If you match enough balls to get a prize, they must be in the same row.

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Question

How many numbers do I have to match to win money?

Community Answer

If you match only the Powerball or the Powerball and a white ball, you win $4. If you match two white balls and a Powerball or three white balls, you win $7. If you match three white balls and a Powerball or four white balls, you win $100. If you match four white balls and the Powerball, you win $50,000. If you match five white balls, you win $1,000,000. If you match all five balls AND the Powerball, you win the jackpot.

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Question

What do I win if I get five matching balls?

Community Answer

If you match five white balls (but not the Powerball), then you win $1,000,000.

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Question

What if I have one white ball?

Community Answer

Sorry, but you don't win any money if you only have one white ball. Try again next time!

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Question

If I had one number correct, and the Powerball on a Power Play purchase, do I win anything?

Community Answer

Without Power Play, you win $4. With it, multiply the winnings by the Power Play multiplier.

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Question

I know I have to be 18 to play, but how old do I have to be to collect the money?

Community Answer

You have to be 18 to play AND to collect the money. If you're younger and you got someone else to buy the ticket for you, they would tell you your win is invalid because you're not old enough to play.

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Question

Do I have to go to the store to get a board? Can I print one & then bring it to store?

Community Answer

No, they will think you're cheating! You have to go and buy one from the store.

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Question

What if my power ball number is one of the five numbers?

Community Answer

You cannot use a Powerball as a white ball; you also cannot use a white ball as a Powerball.

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Question

If the Powerball is a white ball, does it count as a Powerball match?

Community Answer

No, it does not count. The Powerball must match with the Powerball, not a white ball.

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