Powerball is one of the most popular lottery games in the United States, offering players the chance to win huge jackpot prizes. The game is available in 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In some participating states, players also have the option to play an additional draw game called Double Play along with the main Powerball game for an extra $1 per play.
What is Double Play?
Double Play is an optional add-on game that can be played in conjunction with the main Powerball draw. It costs an extra $1 per Powerball play. With Double Play, players get entered into both the main Powerball drawing and the separate Double Play drawing using the same set of numbers. The Double Play drawing takes place after the main Powerball drawing, using the same machine and sets of balls. Like Powerball, Double Play uses a 5/69 matrix for the white balls and a 1/26 matrix for the Powerball. However, the Double Play prize structure and odds are different from the main game.
Double Play offers fixed cash prizes for matching various numbers, rather than starting with a jackpot prize pool. The top Double Play prize is $10 million for matching 5 numbers out of 69 plus the Powerball. Other Double Play prizes include:
- $500,000 for matching 5 numbers
- $50,000 for matching 4 numbers plus the Powerball
- $500 for matching 4 numbers
- $50 for matching 3 numbers plus the Powerball
- $20 for matching 3 numbers
- $10 for matching 2 numbers plus the Powerball
- $7 for matching 1 number plus the Powerball
- $4 for matching only the Powerball
Double Play winning numbers are drawn from the same machine and set of balls as the main Powerball game. However, because the odds and prizes are different, Double Play winning numbers may not always match the main Powerball numbers from the same draw.
Is Double Play available in Tennessee?
Yes, Double Play is available for Tennessee Powerball players. The Tennessee Lottery began offering the Double Play add-on feature when it launched on August 23, 2021. For an extra $1 per Powerball play, Tennessee players can now enter both the main Powerball draw and Double Play draw with the same numbers.
Here are some key facts about Double Play in Tennessee:
- Costs an additional $1 per Powerball play
- Uses the same set of numbers as the main Powerball ticket
- Features fixed cash prizes ranging from $4 to $10 million
- Drawings held after each Powerball drawing
- Winning numbers drawn from same machine as Powerball
- Odds of winning a prize are 1 in 6
- All prizes less than $600 can be claimed at any Tennessee Lottery retailer
- Prizes over $600 must be claimed at a Lottery Claim Center
Double Play gives Tennessee Lottery players more chances to win for just an extra $1 per Powerball ticket. It’s an inexpensive add-on option that provides a second set of winning numbers with different prize levels apart from the main Powerball game.
Double Play Prize Payouts in Tennessee
Here is a breakdown of the Double Play prize payout structures and odds of winning in Tennessee:
| Prize Level | Odds of Winning | Prize Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Match 5 numbers + Powerball | 1 in 29 million | $10 million |
| Match 5 numbers | 1 in 11 million | $500,000 |
| Match 4 numbers + Powerball | 1 in 701,884 | $50,000 |
| Match 4 numbers | 1 in 21,719 | $500 |
| Match 3 numbers + Powerball | 1 in 6,342 | $50 |
| Match 3 numbers | 1 in 693 | $20 |
| Match 2 numbers + Powerball | 1 in 111 | $10 |
| Match 1 number + Powerball | 1 in 16 | $7 |
| Match Powerball only | 1 in 26 | $4 |
As you can see, Double Play offers strong odds of winning some sort of prize, with an overall 1 in 6 chance. The top two prize tiers have slimmer odds but substantial multi-million dollar jackpots. The fixed $10 million top prize ensures there is always an exciting top jackpot up for grabs.
Recent Double Play Results in Tennessee
Here is a summary of some recent Double Play results from the Tennessee Lottery:
- On January 4, 2023, the Double Play numbers were 10, 19, 36, 61, 69 and Powerball 7. The Powerball numbers were also 10, 19, 36, 61, 69 and Powerball 7, creating a rare match between the two draws.
- On December 28, 2022, the Double Play numbers were 4, 57, 58, 59, 68 and Powerball 3. The $500,000 prize for matching 5 numbers was won by two tickets.
- On December 17, 2022, the Double Play numbers were 1, 4, 12, 24, 50 and Powerball 7. There was no big winner, creating a $13 million rollover for the next Double Play drawing.
- On December 3, 2022, the Double Play numbers were 5, 9, 27, 39, 68 and Powerball 19. A Knoxville man won $10 million by matching all 5 white balls and the Powerball.
- On November 23, 2022, the Double Play numbers were 1, 8, 14, 29, 50 and Powerball 7. A Springfield woman won $500,000 by matching 5 numbers.
Since Double Play launched in Tennessee in August 2021, there have been 16 winners of either the $500,000 5-number prize or the $10 million jackpot prize. Double Play has created many big winners in its first 16 months in the state!
How to Play Double Play in Tennessee
Playing Double Play in Tennessee is easy – simply follow these steps when purchasing your Powerball ticket:
- Pick 5 main numbers from 1 to 69 and 1 Powerball number from 1 to 26 on a Powerball play slip or through a quick pick random selection.
- Check the Double Play box on your play slip or tell the retailer you want to add Double Play.
- Pay an extra $1 per Powerball play for Double Play.
- Your Double Play numbers will be the same as your main Powerball numbers.
- Watch the Wednesday and Saturday night drawings to see if your numbers match the winning numbers from both the main Powerball draw and Double Play draw.
- Claim any prizes you win! Smaller prizes can be claimed at any Tennessee Lottery retailer while jackpots must be claimed at a Lottery Claim Center.
It takes just one small extra step to play Double Play when you buy your Powerball tickets. For $1 more per play, you double your chances of winning with a second set of numbers.
Key Points
Some important things to remember about Double Play in Tennessee:
- Available since August 23, 2021 as an add-on to Powerball at extra $1 cost per play
- Uses same set of numbers as your Powerball ticket
- Fixed cash prizes range from $4 to $10 million
- Drawings held after every Powerball drawing
- Overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 6
- Can be purchased wherever Powerball is sold in Tennessee
- Prizes under $600 can be redeemed at any TN lottery retailer
- $10 million jackpot creates huge excitement and interest
- 16 TN players have won either $500K or $10M prizes since launch
Double Play provides a fun extra opportunity for Tennessee lottery players to potentially win big prizes for just a small additional cost per Powerball ticket. With two chances off the same set of numbers, many lucky players have already won huge jackpots or $500,000 prizes during the first year of Double Play in Tennessee.
Double Play Strategies and Tips
Here are some strategies and tips to consider when playing Double Play in Tennessee:
- Purchase Double Play whenever you buy Powerball tickets – This doubles your chances of winning and is inexpensive at just $1 extra per Powerball play.
- Use meaningful numbers – Since the same numbers are entered into both the main Powerball draw and Double Play draw, choose numbers with personal significance to you.
- Check tickets carefully – It’s easy to overlook Double Play numbers when checking tickets since there are two sets of numbers to match up.
- Play Double Play even without Powerball – You can play Double Play without Powerball for better fixed prize odds if you don’t care about the jackpot.
- Go online for results – Viewing Double Play results online makes it easy to compare the two sets of numbers from each drawing.
- Use quick picks sometimes – Letting the computer randomly select Double Play numbers results in unpredictable combinations.
- Join or form an office pool – Pooling money with co-workers or friends increases your group’s chances of big prizes.
- Check odds regularly – Monitor the Double Play jackpot odds to identify when the game may be ripe for a winner.
Using smart play strategies like these can help Tennessee lottery players maximize their chances at winning cash prizes when they take part in Double Play.
Why Add Double Play?
There are a few key reasons why Tennessee Powerball players may want to pay the extra $1 for Double Play when purchasing their Powerball tickets:
- Increases chances of winning – Double Play effectively gives players two chances off of one Powerball ticket to match numbers and win prizes.
- Opportunity at fixed $10 million top prize – Unlike Powerball, Double Play always has a $10 million jackpot available for matching all 5 white balls and the Powerball.
- Good prize payout odds – The overall odds of winning any Double Play prize are around 1 in 6 based on the prize structure.
- Can win without Powerball match – Players can win the $500,000 5-number prize without matching the Powerball, unlike in Powerball.
- Low extra cost – For just $1 extra per Powerball play, Double Play provides a whole extra set of numbers and chances to win.
Ultimately, Double Play gives Tennessee lottery players more bang for their buck. The game presents excellent odds at winning exciting fixed cash prizes for minimal extra cost per Powerball ticket. And who wouldn’t want a chance at a $10 million jackpot off the same easy pick numbers?
Scenarios to Play Double Play
Here are some scenarios where it makes great sense for Tennessee lottery players to play Double Play along with their Powerball ticket purchases:
- When the Powerball jackpot is low – Double Play offers better odds at exciting prizes
- If you already won a small Powerball prize – Parlay some winnings into possible bigger Double Play prizes
- When you feel lucky about a set of numbers – Play them twice with Double Play!
- To give easy pick numbers two chances – Computer quick picks get an extra shot at prizes
- On special drawing milestone anniversaries – Commemorative dates can bring luck
- After having a streak of only small wins – Double Play provides better odds at mid-tier prizes
- When lottery jackpots have rolled several times – Indicator that games could be ready for a win
- On your birthday or other personal dates – Significant dates can produce fortune
There are many good situations where plunking down just $1 more per Powerball ticket to also play Double Play can pay off in a major way. Take advantage of relevant scenarios to potentially increase your lottery luck.
Benefits to the Tennessee Lottery
Beyond benefits to players, offering Double Play has also been positive for the Tennessee Lottery in the following ways since its 2021 launch:
- Increased revenue – Double Play ticket sales produce added revenue for the Lottery on top of main Powerball sales.
- Greater jackpot rollovers – No massive jackpots have been won yet, increasing hype and interest for Powerball.
- More prizes for players – Millions in additional prizes have been won through Double Play itself so far.
- Reduced Powerball liability – Large Double Play wins avoid big drains on main Powerball prize liability funds.
- Enhanced offerings – Double Play provides a modern trendy game feature that other states also offer.
Double Play has already succeeded in its goal of juice up flagging Powerball ticket sales in Tennessee. This has resulted in a reliable new revenue stream benefiting important state education programs funded through the Lottery.
The Bottom Line on Double Play in Tennessee
Double Play has been a clear win for both Tennessee lottery players and the Tennessee Lottery since its rollout in August 2021. Players appreciate the extra chances at exciting prizes it provides at minimal cost per Powerball ticket. And the Lottery has benefited from the revenue lift and lack of huge jackpot drains that Double Play has generated so far.
For just $1 extra, savvy Tennessee lottery players now get two opportunities off one Powerball ticket to match numbers and win fixed prizes up to $10 million. The addition of Double Play has breathed new life into Powerball in Tennessee. And the game has already created many big winners during its first year. Double Play seems certain to remain a popular Powerball bolt-on option that is here to stay in the Volunteer State.
