No ticket matched all six numbers in Saturday night’s Powerball drawing, sending the jackpot skyrocketing to an estimated $1.6 billion for Monday’s draw. In a game where the odds mock even the most optimistic dreamer, this marks the fourth-largest prize in Powerball history and a rare back-to-back billion-dollar run.
Across the nation, convenience store lines snaked longer than usual this weekend, as hopeful players pondered what $1.6 billion could buy—perhaps a private island, or just endless therapy for the inevitable disappointment.
While no one claimed the grand prize, seven tickets turned into million-dollar consolations, proving that coming close in Powerball still beats winning at most other things in life.
Those $1 million winners in California, Florida, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, and Ohio might not quit their day jobs just yet, but they’ll certainly upgrade their holiday shopping lists. Meanwhile, the rollover fuels a nationwide frenzy, with ticket sales boosting state education funds and giving economists yet another reason to study irrational exuberance.
Saturday’s winning numbers were 4, 5, 28, 52, 69, and the red Powerball 20.
No one hit the jackpot, extending the current run to 46 drawings without a top winner—a streak long enough to make even patient fishermen jealous. Powerball officials noted this is only the second time the game has seen consecutive jackpots topping $1 billion, as if the lottery balls conspired to keep the excitement rolling into the holidays.
If claimed Monday, the winner faces a delightful dilemma: take the full $1.6 billion annuitized over 30 years or grab the lump sum of about $735.3 million before taxes turn it into merely “obscenely wealthy.”
Taxes, of course, would claim a hefty chunk, reminding everyone that Uncle Sam always gets his cut of the dream. Consolation prizes weren’t shabby either. Seven tickets matched the five white balls for $1 million each. Dozens more snagged $50,000 or $150,000, thanks to the Power Play multiplier.
One clever player in New Jersey added the Double Play option and won $500,000 in that separate drawing—a $1 add-on that turned a near-miss into a half-million windfall.
The Double Play feature lets players reuse their numbers for another shot at up to $10 million, proving that second chances can pay off handsomely.
Odds of hitting the jackpot remain a sobering 1 in 292.2 million—roughly the same as being struck by lightning while discovering a new species. Yet smaller prizes start at $4, keeping the game accessible for those who prefer realistic hopes.
Drawings occur every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET. With the jackpot now at these heights, expect even longer queues at retailers, as Americans collectively decide that buying a ticket is cheaper than actual financial planning.
This latest escalation comes just months after a $1.787 billion prize was split in September, highlighting how quickly these pots balloon when no one wins.
Lottery officials encourage responsible play, though it’s hard to resist when the prize could fund generations of bad decisions. As Monday approaches, millions will tune in, fingers crossed, wallets lighter.
The balls don’t care about holiday spirit, but they sure know how to build suspense.
Leave a Reply