Is Powerball PowerPlay Worth It? (Yes or No?)
Most people hesitate to play Powerball Power play. They think it is not worth it or the extra dollar does not justify the price. However, they usually don’t know all the details.
So, what’s the case? Is Powerball Power play good, or should you avoid it?
The thing is:
Powerball Power Play is indeed worth it because of the high non-Jackpot prizes and excitement. If you win, the prize money can multiply by two or more times. Plus, it only costs an extra dollar to play it, so it is an affordable option too.
Want to know all about Power Play and which factors to consider before playing? Then, keep reading. Here, I am also sharing real-life stories of people winning Powerball Power Play, which changed their lives.
Why Is Powerball Power Play Worth It?
Power ball Power Play is worth playing because of the high non-Jackpot prizes. The wings can multiply, which will make you even richer. Furthermore, you will have to pay an extra buck only to participate in it, so it is affordable too.
Increased Prize Amounts
The main reason why the Power Play feels worth it is the prize amount. It even increases the prize for all non-jackpot prizes.
Let me explain.
With Power Play, your non-jackpot prizes can be multiplied by 2, 3, 4, or even 5 times. It depends on the multiplier number drawn that night. For example, if you win $100 and the 5x multiplier is drawn, your prize will increase to $500. Similarly, If you hit the second-tier prize of $1 million, Power Play will double that to $2 million, regardless of the multiplier number drawn.
Note that the Power Play won’t boost the jackpot amount. But it can dramatically increase your winnings for all the other prize tiers.
Affordable Option
The Power Play option costs only an additional $1 per play. Keep in mind that this small investment can lead to potentially larger returns.
Consider this:
- Without Power Play: You pay $2 for a ticket and win $100.
- With Power Play: You pay $3 for a ticket, the 5x multiplier is drawn, and your $100 prize increases to $500.
Flexibility of Choice
Another thing that makes Power Play worth it is that it gives you the choice to “customize” your Powerball experience. You can choose to add it to your ticket or not. It all depends on your personal preference, budget, and risk tolerance.
I always say- If you’re feeling lucky, you can choose to add Power Play. But if you’re more conservative or have a tight budget, you can play the standard game without Power Play.
Excitement
For me, the thrill of the game is as important as the chance of winning. The opportunity to multiply the winnings adds an extra layer of excitement.
Imagine the thrill when you win a prize, which is followed by the suspense of waiting to see how much your prize will be multiplied.
Read More: Is Powerball Rigged?
How to Play Powerball Power Play?
You can play Powerball Power Play in five easy steps.
Step 1: Buy a Powerball Ticket
The first step in playing Powerball with Power Play is purchasing a ticket. It can be bought at authorized retailers in 45 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Fortunately, many states now also let you purchase tickets online from the official website or app.
Here’s how to go about it:
- Walk into any authorized retailer and ask for a Powerball play slip.
- Each play slip has five play areas (A–E) with boxes numbered 1 to 69 in the upper white play area and 1 to 26 in the lower red play area. For each game you want to play, you will have to choose five numbers from 1 to 69 for the white balls. Then, select one number from 1 to 26 for the red Powerball.
Step 2: Add Power Play to Your Ticket
Power Play is an additional feature that you can add to your Powerball ticket. When purchasing your ticket, make sure to mark the Power Play box. You can also request the retailer to add the Power Play option.
This will add an extra $1 to the cost of each play. For example, if you want to play two games (or lines) with Power Play, your ticket will cost $6 ($2 for each line and $1 for each Power Play).
Remember- You can use the Power Play option for any number of games on your ticket.
Step 3: Choose Your Payment Option
When buying a Powerball ticket, you can choose between two payment options if you win the jackpot:
- Lump Sum: You choose to be paid the full jackpot amount in one lump sum, minus federal and state taxes.
- Annuity Payments: The jackpot is paid out in 30 graduated payments over 29 years, adjusted for inflation. Note that you’ll pay taxes each year on the money you receive.
Step 4: Watch the Draw
Powerball draws are held every Wednesday and Saturday night at 10:59 PM Eastern Time. During the draw, five white balls are drawn from a drum with 69 balls, and one red ball (the Powerball) is drawn from a drum with 26 balls.
The Power Play number is drawn from a separate drum and can be 2, 3, 4, or 5 (or 10 when the advertised jackpot is $150 million or less).
Step 5: Check Your Numbers
After the draw, check your numbers to see if you’ve won a prize.
Prizes are awarded based on how many numbers you’ve matched. If you match more numbers, your prize will become bigger.
You can win a prize by:
- Matching just the Powerball
- Matching the Powerball and one or more of the white balls.
Here’s a basic breakdown of the prizes:
| Match | Prize | Prize with Power Play |
| Powerball only | $4 | $8 to $20 |
| 1 white + Powerball | $4 | $8 to $20 |
| 2 white + Powerball | $7 | $14 to $35 |
| 3 white only | $7 | $14 to $35 |
| 3 white + Powerball | $100 | $200 to $500 |
| 4 white only | $100 | $200 to $500 |
| 4 white + Powerball | $50,000 | $100,000 to $250,000 |
| 5 white only | $1 million | $2 million |
Note: The exact amount with Power Play will depend on the multiplier drawn that night.
Also Read: How Are Lottery Numbers Generated?
Real-life Stories of Powerball Power Play Winners
Many people have won extra money by playing Power Play. Here are the three incidents that I like to read about time after time.
The Double Millionaire Story
In 2019, a South Carolina resident had their million-dollar Powerball prize doubled to a whopping $2 million because he opted for the Power Play feature. He didn’t win the jackpot, but the $2 million is far from a small consolation prize. He got the extra million dollars just because he chose to spend an extra dollar on Power Play.
The $150,000 Win
In May 2020, a lucky player in Louisiana managed to match four white ball numbers and the Powerball. Usually, this would result in a $50,000 prize. However, he had opted for Power Play. Believe it or not, the multiplier drawn was 3 on that night.
So, the prize tripled, which means he won $150,000 instead of $50,000.
The Multiple Wins
One of the most impressive Powerball stories comes from a man in Delaware who won 12 times in one drawing in 2021. He bought 12 identical tickets for the same draw, each with Power Play. He matched four white ball numbers and the Powerball.
The usual prize for it is a $50,000 win. But with the 2X Power Play, his prize doubled to $100,000 for each ticket. In the end, his total was $1.2 million.
You Might Also Like: Where Does Lottery Money Come From?
Factors to Consider Before Playing Powerball Power Play
There are three factors I suggest you must consider before playing the Powerball Power Play. This will help you avoid frustration and keep your budget in order. Plus, thinking about them will also give a new insight into this game.
Budget considerations
You now know that adding Power Play to your ticket will increase the price of each play by $1. For some players, this may not seem like a substantial amount. However, if you are on a tight budget or if you play multiple lines, it can quickly add up.
Therefore, always consider your own financial situation before deciding to play with Power Play.
Risk Versus Reward Analysis
Powerball, with or without Power Play, is a game of chance. There is no guarantee that you will end up with winning digits. The odds of you getting the prize are very low, and the use of Power Play does not increase your chances of winning.
However, it does multiply the size of your non-jackpot prizes (if you win any).
So, I recommend you make a pros/cons list on Power Play to analyze the risk and rewards.
Individual Playing Preferences
If you’re the type of player who’s mainly focused on the jackpot, you might not see the value in spending the extra dollar on Power Play. However, if you like the possibility of multiplying your non-jackpot prizes, the Power Play feature may add to your excitement and enjoyment of the game.
So, whether to play or not depends on your own preferences.
Final Words
In conclusion, Powerball Power Play is worth a try because of its benefits. The biggest one is that it multiplies your non-Jackpot prizes. In the real-life stories section, I explained how people got richer just by playing it.
Moreover, Powerball Power Play also takes the excitement to the next level. So, playing the lottery becomes fun. Plus, it is affordable, too, as it only costs an extra buck.
Still, you should play safely and consider the factors I have discussed above to avoid facing problems.
