Big sales volume prompts early jackpot increase
By Todd Northrop
Due to larger than expected sales volume, the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) has raised the official Powerball lottery jackpot estimate for Wednesday's drawing to $485 million.
The all-important lump-sum cash value of the jackpot has been raised to $327.7 million — still the 5th-largest cash jackpot ever offered in a United States lottery.
Lottery players seeking to check the winning numbers Wednesday night are urged to use USA Mega (www.usamega.com). State lottery Web sites are normally brought to a standstill during busy periods, while USA Mega normally remains responsive.
Powerball drawing results will be posted immediately after the 10:59 pm drawing at USA Mega. The number of winners and new jackpot will be announced after all participating Powerball states have reported their data, which normally occurs within a couple of hours after the drawing.
Tickets will remain on sale typically until 10:45 pm Eastern Time on Wednesday, although players should check with a lottery retailer in their state for the exact sales cutoff time. Players are advised not to wait until the last minute.
The odds of winning the jackpot are approximately 1 in 175 million. The odds of winning any of the Powerball prizes are approximately 1 in 32.
Powerball tickets cost $2 each.
Lottery players can see an after-tax analysis of the current Powerball jackpot by visiting USA Mega's Jackpot Analysis page.
Powerball features nine different prize levels, ranging from $4 all the way up to the jackpot. Players can win even if they just match one number — the Powerball number.
All states except California also offer the Power Play option for an extra $1 per ticket purchased. The Power Play multiplies any non-jackpot prizes won by a fixed amount, depending on the prize level won.
Players who purchase the Power Play and win second prize will automatically have their prize increased by 2x to $2 million.
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$485 Million Woo Hoo
maybe one more roll, just one?.........if I dont win of course
When you use your imagination on these monster jackpots:
I get dizzy just looking at all those Benjamins but I will still not be buying an extra ticket however tempted I am.
I couldn't have put it better myself
Its always good when the cash value is running 67% of a jackpot this size....its all about the cash
I'm banking that at best it has one more roll in this Jackpot. But i also think we will have one more bump before tomorrow night. Jackpot ending somewhere around $510-$515million.
If no one wins tomorrow I wonder what the JP will be on Saturday the 14th...
05 11 16 26 50 / 01
If no one wins tomorrow, we potentially will have the largest U.S. Jackpot ever.
SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!
If I don't have a heart attack first from winning
$485 million might just be enough to start upping the size of my fast food combos.Would be surprised if it's still under $500 million by draw time.
Maybe extra guacamole on that burrito.
I'm guessing that even the MUSL people don't really have a good idea how big it will be. The biggest PB jackpot by cash value jumped $262 million from 325 to 587 for the annuity value. The advertised annuity value for current run went from 324.5 (final tally, originally advertised as 317) to 395.5, an increase of only $71 million. The cash value percentages are a bit different (65.5% then vs 67.6% now), but that's an 80% increase 27 months ago vs. a 22% increase now.
If this one tops out at 500 tomorrow and rolls an 80% increase would push it to $900 million (about 608 cash) the actual annuity increase of 262 would push it to $762 million. A 22% increase would only increase it to a relatively modest $610 million (a new PB record, though still shy of the MM record). Even in today's lottery market that has to be enough for a frenzy, but how big a frenzy?
someone will win this one tommorw thats for sure. i bought 6 dollars tickets, you dont nees to buy alot with so many ppl buying now.
It will break the 500m mark, last roll was 90.5m from 394.5m to 485m and it was changed twice in estimated values.
Lottery officials are challenged predicting jackpot size, but publicizing too accurate of an estimate early on can be counter-productive. I suspect the some of the jackpot revisions are intentional to drive sales. Seeing intermediate jackpot jumps gets people talking - this thread is a prime example.
Not surprised the jackpot jump was relatively small. $300 million annuity just doesn't excite players the way it once did. And doubling the price hasn't helped matters. Even $400ish million, while generating excitement, isn't a frenzy yet, though it's getting close. If it rolls Wednesday, then the frenzy will be on with $700+ million annuity to start, and likely rise to upwards of $900 million annuity, as you suggest. I'm not playing unless it rolls Wednesday, then I'll join the frenzy.
I think it was the " Pointer Sisters" that sang " I'm so excited, and l just can't hide it"
dont remember much else about the song but somewhere in there was " l know l want you, want you!"
whoo-hoo! so we need **12** winners so everyone has a chance to slip under the radar while still having enough to live... a-hem... comfortably.
YEAP..
I am ready to win the Powerball Wednesday !!
That's what second place is for, nobody pays any attention to them.
No mightwin-You have been away far too long. We thinking a dozen 1st place winners, and why the heck not!
Let's make it a FIRST- let's make History.
Single ticket winner !!!!
Nobody's thinking when their buying a lottery ticket is "I hope I get to split my winnings with a bunch of other people"....lol
Sez's Greater minds which are at work here. Having very few massive jackpots a year and only One winner?..screw that. Common sense dictates that people ought to be getting a return on their dream...meaning Winning.Yeah l said it, so there.Maybe not 12, but One-screw that...big time.
I run a lottery pool in my office that has a total of 11 members, if one of our tickets hits we can do that.
Again thats what second place is for......powerball has a ton of million dollar winners over the past few years, more than people realize
Exactly- everyone wants a Piece of the action. The idea that only one person has to win is NUTS. Try telling Pools they crazy..
This mentality " l want no one else to win" is greed!!
We might be getting enough in this jackpot that I could afford to by my way into the Playboy Mansion. One dream and two chicks....that's what big lotto wins are for!I would win on Wednesday and be broke by Friday lol
Nobody plays for 2nd place. You starting to sound like that Guy who says " Certain States have not won" mightwin.
There were 980 Match 5 winners (prizes of $1 million or $2 million). During the 1st 2 years since they made the change and thats plenty of winners if ya ask me
From the pic Looks like half a ton of hundred dollar bills...a big and scary responsability to keep that big SUM in your basement
if your one of the " greater minds which are at work here" then the forum is in sad shape
Exactly which is why when there is only one jackpot winner it makes the win that much sweeter
This mentality " l want no one else to win" is greed!!...........so what your saying is that you want multiple winners for the jackpot and if you happen to win the jackpot and nobody else than that would be totally alright? (Just because you had that multiple winner mentality going into it?)Would you share the prize with all the second place winners because they were the closest then? Just asking
You underestimate my love for Chick-fil-a, Whataburger, Raising Canes, Chicken Express, and a select few hole-in-the-wall burger joints. Fancy restaurants would be the last place on my mind, except maybe for sushi.
Its luck, NOT Greed. And its for that which is in need.
Its two dollars and a dream.
May we all dream well and be well in the process.