If you enjoy playing for the chance to win a big prize, then Powerball is the game for you. Powerball could make you the next multimillionaire!
You can play Powerball online!
You can open a Virginia Lottery account to play Powerball online, so you’ll never miss a chance to win! Purchase multiple draws at once to stay in the game for as long as you like, or select the Auto-Renewalfeature to never worry about missing a draw.
How to play Powerball
Following the April 8, 2020, drawing, guaranteed starting jackpot amounts and minimum jackpot increases were eliminated, and future jackpot increases will be determined and announced by the Product Group prior to each drawing. In April 2020, Powerball announced changes to the starting jackpot amount. Get more information here.
Think of how to play Powerball in terms of colors and numbers. You must select numbers for five white balls and one red ball (the Powerball) for a total of six numbers. A closer view of the playslip will help you learn more.
Here are the ways to play Powerball.
- Choose your own numbers on a playslip. Pick five different numbers from 1 through 69; then select one Powerball number from 1 through 26.
- You can choose Easy Pick, and let the computer choose your numbers.
- You also can use a combination of these play methods: Pick some of your favorite numbers, and let the computer fill in the rest.
- Each play (six numbers) costs $2.
- Powerball draws are held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 11 p.m.
Power up your play with Power Play®
Power Play® is an add-on feature that gives you a chance to win even more money for just $1 extra per play. Power Play® can increase your winnings to up to $2 million! If you win with Power Play®, your non-jackpot prize is increased 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x or 10x depending on the Power Play® number drawn. Check out the chart under the Powerball Prizes & Odds tab to see how adding Power Play® can increase any non-jackpot prize. Add Power Play® and match five numbers without the Powerball, and you automatically win $2 million!
How to win playing Powerball
There are nine ways to win playing Powerball, and three of the ways are listed below. The rest can be found under the Powerball Prizes & Odds tab.
- If you only match the Powerball number, you win at minimum $4.
- Match the first five numbers, and you win $1 million.
- Match all five numbers and the Powerball number, and you win the Powerball jackpot!
Three chances to win each week
Now, you can play Powerball three times each week! Powerball draws are held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 11 p.m.
- On draw nights, Powerball tickets for the upcoming draw are not sold after 10 p.m., so get your tickets early!
- Powerball tickets and online plays cannot be canceled, and all sales are final. Use a playslip to ensure that your numbers are correct.
- When selecting optional plays, make sure to tell your clerk which option(s) you prefer — Multi-Draw, Future Draw or Repeat.
- Any winning tickets bought in Virginia must be redeemed in Virginia.
Play options
It's always great to have options, so mark the OPTIONAL PLAYS box on your playslip for any of the following.
- Want to play the same numbers for more than one draw on a single ticket? A Multi-Draw ticket lets you play up to 39 consecutive draws on one ticket or up to 156 consecutive draws online. Please keep in mind that the ticket price increases for each draw you add.
- Thinking ahead to a special date? You can buy a ticket for one future draw date. It's called a Future Draw. Available at retail stores only.
- Love those numbers so much you want them on more than one ticket? You can Repeat your play and have the same numbers printed on more than one ticket up to 20 times. Available at retail stores only.
- Powerball tickets also can be purchased at any Lottery Vending Machine. You will be prompted to select any play options you would like during the ticket-building process.
You can find different Lottery retailer locations in the Virginia Lottery app or by using the Find a Retailertool. Download the Lottery appto scan your ticket to see if it’s a winner, and check out our newest Scratchers too!
Watch the draw
You can watch Powerball draws live each Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 11 p.m. by clicking the Winning Numbers tab at the top of this page. You can even watch them later. Draws stay on our site!
Get game information from Alexa!
If you download the Virginia Lottery Alexa Skill, you can ask Alexa for information about this game including recent winning numbers and more.
Legal stuff
Need more info? Here are our official rulesfor Powerball. Powerball amendment.
Lottery profits benefit public education
Since 1999, all Virginia Lottery profits have gone to K-12 public schools in Virginia. In Fiscal Year 2022, the Lottery generated more than $779 million for K-12 public schools in Virginia. Every time you play a Virginia Lottery game, you're playing a role in helping kids have a brighter future.
