Power Play: Boosting Powerball Winnings with a $1 Add-On
For those seeking to amplify their potential winnings, the Powerball lottery offers an optional feature called Power Play. For just $1 per play, Power Play can multiply non-jackpot prizes, offering payouts ranging from two to ten times the original amount. The feature has become increasingly popular among lottery players hoping to maximize their return, though its availability and specific rules vary slightly by state.
The core concept behind Power Play is simple: before each Powerball draw, a separate Power Play number is randomly selected. This multiplier is then applied to all non-jackpot prizes won by players who opted in to the feature when purchasing their tickets. The possible multipliers are 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x and 10x, each with differing odds of being drawn.
According to Powerball.net, the odds of selecting each multiplier are weighted. When the estimated Powerball jackpot is $150 million or lower, there are 43 Power Play balls in the draw, with only one representing the 10x multiplier. This means the odds of hitting the 10x multiplier are 1 in 43. The 5x multiplier has two balls, offering odds of 1 in 21.5, while the 4x multiplier has three balls and odds of 1 in 14.33. The 3x multiplier is represented by 13 balls (1 in 3.31 odds), and the 2x multiplier has 24 balls (1 in 1.79 odds).
When the Powerball jackpot exceeds $150 million, the 10x multiplier is removed from the draw. In this scenario, the distribution of multiplier balls shifts, with the odds adjusting accordingly. The odds of selecting 5x become 1 in 21, 4x becomes 1 in 14, 3x becomes 1 in 3.23, and 2x remains at 1 in 1.75.
One key exception to the Power Play rules involves the Match 5 prize. Regardless of the Power Play number drawn, a ticket matching all five white balls automatically wins $2 million, a doubling of the standard $1 million prize. This guaranteed doubling provides a significant incentive for players to add Power Play to their tickets.
The decision to add Power Play is made at the time of ticket purchase. It cannot be added retroactively. Players simply check the Power Play box on their playslip or select the option when buying tickets online. The cost is an additional $1 per play. Some states, like Idaho and Montana, automatically include Power Play on all Powerball tickets, and players in those states do not have the option to exclude it.
While Power Play doesn’t improve a player’s overall odds of winning a prize, it significantly increases the potential payout for lower-tier prizes. For example, a $50,000 prize for matching four numbers plus the Powerball could be boosted to $500,000 if the 10x multiplier is drawn. A $100,000 prize could become $1 million with the 10x multiplier.
Lottery.net highlights that the Power Play multiplier is drawn before the main Powerball numbers, allowing players to immediately know the potential value of any prizes they may have won. The random number generator used to select the multiplier ensures fairness and unpredictability.
The Power Play feature represents a relatively small investment – just $1 – for the chance to substantially increase non-jackpot winnings. As one Twitter user noted, adding Power Play and the Megaplier (in Mega Millions) is a strategy they always employ. The potential for a multiplied payout continues to draw players to this popular add-on feature.
