The tantalizing, ever-growing Powerball lottery once again proved elusive last Saturday, when no lucky ticket holders managed to match all the winning numbers for the highly-anticipated draw. This, however, was only the postponement of a dream, as the jackpot’s lack of a deserving winner has caused it to swell to an estimated $47 million, slated to be up for grabs on Monday’s drawing.
Amid the high-stakes suspense of Saturday’s Powerball, hopeful players fervently clutched onto their tickets that were all vying for the hefty $37 million jackpot. This jackpot held a dazzling promise of a windfall that, if taken as a lump-sum payment, would have translated to an approximate $17.4 million post-tax payday, according to the lottery officials.
Yet, as the winning combination of numbers was drawn at precisely 11 p.m. ET that evening, no one emerged victorious. The numbers of the hour were 3, 6, 39, 49 and 67, with a Powerball of 21, augmented with a Power Play multiplier of 2X.
It’s interesting to note that the last hefty win was a record-breaking $215 million jackpot ticket scored in the sunny state of Florida. With Monday’s enhanced straw now before us, the taste of victory that the Florida winner savored is now a tangible possibility for Powerball players nationwide.
In the event you’re new to this heady mix of anticipation and chance, Acrobat understands your curiosity, and here’s what you need to know: To earn your place in the Powerball race, a ticket is purchased for a mere $2 from various outlets such as gas stations, convenience stores, grocery stores, and even some fortunate airport terminals. For an authentically modern twist, tickets can also be ordered through the Jackpocket app – the official digital lottery conduit of the USA TODAY network –available in a number of states and territories.
To play, entrants must select six numbers in total; five white-ball numbers ranging from 1 to 69, and the red-ball Powerball, a number between 1 and 26. This Powerball game also extends an opportunity to amplify your potential winnings with the “Power Play” option – an additional $1 could multiply non-jackpot prizes by as much as 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or even 10X. For those favoring fate, the “Quick Pick” option enables a computer-generated selection of numbers.
The gust of excitement that accompanies a Powerball draw takes place every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday night. Should there be no successful jackpot ticket, the massive prize pot sees a magnetic increase, like it has this week.
With its offering of an opportunity to alter life’s trajectory, the Powerball lottery persists as an enticing allure for countless aspirants nationwide, all carrying the flame of hope to strike it rich and fulfill coveted dreams. So, Powerball players, hold onto those tickets – the chase for the climax is back on, and the monetary summit just got a little bit tastier.
