The Powerball jackpot starts at $15 million and continues to grow by at least $5 million each drawing until it is won (beginning with the August 31, 2005 drawing).

Annuity or Cash option

You can choose how to collect your Powerball jackpot--30 annual payments (over 29 years) or one cash payment (present value*)--up to 60 days after you become entitled to the prize. The annuity option now gives players annual payments that increase each year--projected at 4 percent.
* if you choose cash, the present cash value is less than the advertised jackpot, which is based on a 30-year annuity.

How to Play

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Pick five numbers between 1 and 55 for your five white ball numbers by marking the top section of the powerball play slip. Then, pick one number between 1 and 42 for your red powerball number by marking the bottom section of the powerball play slip, or mark the quick pick box on the play slip.

Each play costs $1 and you can pick up to five different sets of numbers on each playslip. You can purchase the same numbers for up to 24 consecutive drawings when you use the multi-draw box on the play slip.

More Power In Power Play

The Power Play multiplier number will be drawn from 16 balls marked 2,2,2,2,3,3,3,3,4,4,4,4,5,5,5,5. Players who choose to add the $1 Power Play option have the chance to multiply prizes between $3 and $200,000 as many as two, three, four or five times.

Match 5 Bonus Prize

The Match 5 Bonus Prize feature will in a sense "share the wealth" of new record jackpots with players who "just miss" the jackpot by matching the five white ball numbers. Each time the projected jackpot reaches a new record level, beginning with the first time it passes the current record of $365 million, the jackpot will increase by $25 million for each drawing. Prize money collected in excess of the advertised jackpot will go into the Match 5 Bonus Prize pool and will accumulate until there is a jackpot winner. When the jackpot is won, the Match 5 Bonus Prize pool will be divided evenly among players who won $200,000 by matching the five white ball numbers in that drawing. That means there may be several more millionaires created each time a new record Powerball jackpot is won.

Tickets can be purchased from 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. (central time) any day of the week except from 8:30 p.m. to 8:40 p.m. on drawing nights. Review your play slip carefully before giving it to the clerk. Once printed, a ticket cannot be canceled. Check your tickets before leaving the store.

Wednesday and Saturday drawings

The winning numbers will be announced every Wednesday and Saturday at 9:59 p.m. central time. Get winning numbers here (nelottery.com), from your favorite radio or television station or Nebraska Lottery Lotto retailer, in your local newspaper or USA Today, or on the Players Hotline at 1-800-224-LUCK (NE and WY) or 402-471-6114.

Overall Odds: 1 in 36.60