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Get your tickets ready! The Powerball jackpot is soaring to an estimated $950 million for Saturday night’s drawing, just shy of a cool billion. This exciting surge comes after no one snagged the $850 million prize on Wednesday, which, at the time, was the sixth-largest in Powerball history.
While $950 million is certainly eye-popping, the estimated cash value is a slightly more grounded $428.9 million (before taxes, of course). This impressive sum still earns a spot as the sixth-largest Powerball jackpot, right behind the $1.08 billion prize won in California this past July.
Powerball fever is definitely in the air, with ticket sales doubling in the past week. Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group chair and Iowa Lottery CEO, noted the increased excitement and reminded players that while chasing a dream, they’re also contributing to good causes in their communities.
If you’re lucky enough to defy the 1 in 292.2 million odds, you’ll face a delightful dilemma: take the lump sum or an annuity paid out over 30 years, with annual increases. The last time someone hit the Powerball jackpot was back on May 31st, when a Californian walked away with $204.5 million ($91.6 million cash value).
Remember, drawings happen every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 11 p.m. ET.
Tickets are available for $2 in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Could you be the next big winner?