As the Maryland Lottery readies for the addition of a third weekly Powerball drawing, the multi-state draw game’s jackpot continues to grow.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the Powerball top prize had reached an estimated $274 million.
No player has won the Powerball jackpot since June 5. And with the two-month-plus drought, the addition of a third Powerball drawing each week in Maryland and elsewhere couldn’t come at a better time.
Monday Powerball drawing starts Aug. 23
Powerball is available in 45 US states and territories. It’s an immensely popular lottery draw game. In fact, along with Mega Millions, it’s probably the game most synonymous with “winning the lottery.”
Powerball drawings take place each Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. local time. However, beginning next week on Aug. 23, a third Powerball drawing will take place each Monday night.
On one hand, it’s one more opportunity to play Powerball each week. On the other hand, your odds to win Powerball remain long. Exceptionally long. Astronomically odd.
Just how hard is it to claim the Powerball jackpot? You have approximately a 1 in 292 million shot of winning. By comparison, these other “long shots” offer better odds:
- Having twins: 1 in 250 natural births
- Finding a four-leaf clover: 1 in 10,000 clovers
- Struck by lightning in a given year: 1 in 1.2 milion people
- Win an Olympic medal: 1 in 11.5 million people
- Killed by a vending machine: 1 in 112 million people
Still, someone’s going to win Powerball eventually, right? The last one to do so was a Florida player who matched all five white balls plus the Powerball to win a jackpot of $285.6 million in early June.
How to play Powerball in Maryland
To play Powerball, players can manually pick all six numbers (the white balls and the Powerball). However, they can also choose a “quick pick” ticket, in which a computer randomly chooses the numbers for you.
Powerball tickets are $2, but you can pay an extra $1 for “Power Play,” which will at least double the payout for non-jackpot wins.
Powerball officials have also expanded the game with the Double Play add-on feature. It also launches Aug. 23. According to the announcement:
“Each Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, a separate Double Play drawing will be conducted approximately 30 minutes after the Powerball drawing. Players who add the Double Play option to their Powerball ticket will be able to win prizes in both drawings.”
Currently, MD Lottery players have to buy most of their lotto tickets in-person. Currently, there are 4,400 lottery retail outlets, including corner stores and supermarkets, located throughout Maryland.
However, payers with a My Lottery Rewards account do have the option to purchase a “Powerball subscription.” With your subscription, you can use your designated numbers to play Powerball for 13-, 26-, or 52-week stints.
