No one has claimed the $149 million jackpot for the November 7 draw, according to the Powerball website. As a result, the prize money will now roll over to the next drawing on Thursday, November 12. The estimated jackpot then will be $158 million (with a cash value of $123.6 million).
Even though no-one won the jackpot in Saturday night’s draw, there were some big winners.
Ten players matched four white balls and the Powerball correctly to win $50,000 prizes. Another four doubled their prize money to $100,000 with a Power Play purchase on top.
In September, the Powerball jackpot was reset to $20 million after a player in New York scooped the $94 million jackpot. The winning ticket in the September 16 draw was sold at Minogue’s Beverage located at 2421 Route 9 in Ballston Spa, according to the Powerball website.
Before then, the jackpot hadn’t been won since August 12, when one lucky player in Florida matched all five white balls and the Powerball to scoop a massive $169 million payout.
The Powerball jackpot was also won twice in June. One winner, Thomas Cook, split his $22 million prize with his best friend Joseph Feeney. The pair from Wisconsin shook hands in 1992, agreeing that they would split their winnings if either ever won the Powerball jackpot, no matter who bought the ticket.
Earlier in the month, a player in West Virginia scooped a $136 million jackpot.
How do you play Powerball?
Powerball is a hugely popular multi-state lottery that is available to play in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings usually take place twice a week on a Wednesday and Saturday night, at 10:59 p.m. ET. Each draw is broadcast live from the lottery studio in Tallahassee, Florida.
Each ticket costs $2 per play, with players selecting five numbers from 1 to 69, in addition to one red Powerball number from 1 to 26. In certain circumstances, players can also multiply non-jackpot prizes by using the Power Play option for an additional $1.
Why is the Powerball so low?
Powerball slashed its minimum payout in half from $40 million to $20 million with minimum roll increased of $2 million between drawings back in March because of the coronavirus pandemic leading to reduced sales, according to lottery officials.
Powerball Product Group Chairman and Maine Lottery Director Gregory Mineo said in a statement at the time: “Powerball players in many U.S. lottery jurisdictions are under shelter-in-place orders or recommendations, which have affected normal consumer behaviors.
