However, no one has claimed the $47 million jackpot for the August 29 draw, according to the Powerball website, so it will now roll over to the next drawing on Thursday, September 3. The estimated jackpot then will be $56 million (with a cash value of $44.1 million).
Although nobody won the jackpot in Saturday night’s draw, one player in New York matched all five white balls correctly and with a Power Play purchase, won the second biggest available prize of $2 million.
Twelve other players matched four balls and the Powerball correctly to win $50,000 prizes, while another player tripled their winnings to $150,000 with the Power Play feature.
The Powerball jackpot was reset earlier this month after a lucky player from Florida won the $169 million jackpot in the August 12 draw. The winning Quick Pick ticket was purchased at Publix, located at 4770 North Congress Avenue in Boynton Beach, Florida. The retailer will receive $100,000 for selling the jackpot-winning ticket.
Before that, the Powerball jackpot was last won in the June 10 drawing. The winner, Thomas Cook, split his $22 million prize with his best friend Joseph Feeney as part of a deal the pair made in 1992.
In April, a player in New Jersey won the $190 million jackpot. In June, a player in West Virginia scooped a $136 million jackpot.
But the biggest win this year came in January, when a Florida woman won a massive $396.9 million jackpot. Sheryll Goedert, 61, chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of around $276.6 million.
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.
