Strategy for playing the Powerball lottery game
Here are some tips to help you get the most luck in the popular lottery game.
The December cold can’t quell the Powerball fever. After one night without a jackpot, the lottery has once again ballooned to $930 million, a number that has sparked hopes, buzz, and secret plans in homes across the country. Draws with no winners add a new layer to this economic snowball, rolling, growing and captivating millions of players in the hope of luck changing their fortunes.
The moment marked a new turning point as Monday’s draw left a number without an owner. With 40 consecutive draws without a jackpot, the game approaches one of the highest jackpots of the year, a question repeated in a low voice: How much is Powerball today? What happens if I win?
What happened in the recent draw?
The following combinations were left on the table for the December 8, 2025 drawing: 8, 32, 52, 56, 64, Powerball: 23, Power Play: 2X.
Although there was no grand prize winner, there were multiple secondary prizes in various states, showing that the multiplier continues to improve the chances even though the big wins are yet to come.
Now everyone is focused on the next draw.
When will the next draw take place and how much should I bet?
Your next chance to win is this Wednesday night, December 10, 2025 at 10:59 PM ET/9:59 PM CT. The boat remains like this.
- Estimated jackpot: $930 million
- Cash value: $429 million
Ticket sales are picking up speed as the drawing approaches, and the final price could rise even further by Wednesday.
Will the next big winner emerge this Wednesday?
This question dominates the searches, conversations, and lines at convenience stores. Although some states with winning records (California, Florida, Tennessee, Oregon) are always listed as token bets, the truth is that winners can come from anywhere.
In 2025, there are already four jackpot winners.
Since then, the ship has continued to move on without an owner. And while the final stages of the year are increasing the chances of a new billionaire emerging by December, the math remains unrelenting.
How close are we to another historic millionaire jackpot?
Jackpots exceeding $1 billion are no longer an absolute rarity. Last 5 years:
- 8 boats exceeded the billion mark
- 3 in 2023
- 2 in 2024including some of the largest prizes ever recorded.
The record still stands at Powerball’s unattainable $2.04 billion in 2022, but each accumulation this week brings the game closer to new territory.
And what are the odds?
They remain the same:
- Powerball jackpot is 1 in 292.2 million
- 1 in 302.6 million for Mega Millions
Lou Lefton, a Georgia Tech mathematician, recalled that the game’s rule changes made jackpots bigger and more frequent, but also harder to win. Nevertheless, collective fantasies remain part of national rituals.
10 largest jackpots in U.S. history
- $2.04 billion — Powerball (2022, California)
- $1.765 billion — Powerball (2023, California)
- $1.62 billion — Mega Millions (Florida, 2023)
- $1.586 billion — Powerball (2016; California, Florida, Tennessee)
- $1.537 billion — Mega Millions (2018, South Carolina)
- $1.35 billion — Mega Millions (2023, Maine)
- $1.337 billion — Mega Millions (2022, Illinois)
- $132.6 billion — Powerball (2024, Oregon)
- $1.13 billion — Mega Millions (2024, New Jersey)
- $1.08 billion — Powerball (2023, California)
How to play Powerball?
To play Powerball, you must purchase a $2 ticket. You can purchase it at various places such as convenience stores, gas stations, and supermarkets. In some states, you can also purchase tickets online.
Once you get your ticket, you have to choose six numbers. The Powerball is five white balls with numbers from 1 to 69 and one red ball with numbers from 1 to 26. For an additional $1, you can add a power play option. This increases the winnings for all non-jackpot prizes.
Power Play Multipliers can increase your wins by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or up to 10x.
If you want to choose a system, there is a quick pick option where the computer generates a random number for your ticket. To win the jackpot, you must match all five white numbers in any order, plus the red Powerball number.
Powerball drawings take place on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights. If no one wins the jackpot, the jackpot continues to accumulate.
Where can I buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased directly at gas stations, convenience stores and supermarkets. Some airports also sell tickets.
You can also order online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery messaging service of the USA TODAY Network. This service is available in the following U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington, DC, and West Virginia.
News: Jackpocket is the official digital lottery messenger of USA TODAY Network. Gannett may receive revenue from viewer referrals to the Jackpocket Service. Must be 18 years or older (21 years or older in Arizona, 19 years or older in Nebraska). Gambling problems: Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (other states). For full terms and conditions, please visit jackpocket.com/tos.
contribution: america today
Boris Q’va is a national Spanish language trends news reporter for Connect/USA TODAY Network. You can follow him on X as @ByBorisQva or write to him at BBalsindesUrquiola@gannett.com.
