The Big Billion-Dollar Lottery Chase

The Powerball lottery is back in the spotlight. This time, the jackpot reached a staggering $1 billion. But did anyone hit the big time on Saturday night? Not quite. The winning numbers were 1, 28, 31, 57, and 58, with a Powerball of 16 and a Power Play of 2x. However, no one walked away with the grand prize. But it wasn't a total loss. Two lucky players from North Carolina and Pennsylvania won $2 million each by matching five numbers plus the Power Play. Five others from California, Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, and Virginia each won $1 million by matching five numbers. The next Powerball drawing is set for Monday, December 15. The jackpot has now climbed to an estimated $1. 10 billion, with a cash value of $503. 4 million. This drawing marks the 42nd consecutive time the jackpot has rolled over, tying a record for the most consecutive drawings in a single cycle. The last time someone won the Powerball jackpot was on September 6. Two tickets from Missouri and Texas split a massive $1. 787 billion prize. The odds of winning the jackpot are slim, at 1 in 292. 2 million. Powerball is played in 45 states, including Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky, as well as in Washington, D. C. , Puerto Rico, and the U. S. Virgin Islands. You don't need to be a U. S. citizen or resident to play. Tickets can be bought at gas stations, convenience stores, and supermarkets. In Ohio, you can also purchase tickets online through the Ohio Lottery website. A single Powerball ticket costs $2. For an extra $1, you can add the Power Play feature, which multiplies all winnings except the jackpot. Another $1 can get you the Double Play feature, giving you a second chance to win $10 million. To play, you pick five numbers from 1 to 69 for the white balls and one number from 1 to 26 for the red Powerball. You can choose your numbers or let the lottery terminal pick them randomly for you. There are nine different ways to win, ranging from matching just the Powerball to matching all five numbers plus the Powerball.