The Florida Powerball is one of the most popular lottery games in the United States, with millions of people across the country buying tickets each week hoping to win a massive jackpot prize. The game is coordinated by the Multi-State Lottery Association and played in 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Here’s a guide on how to check the winning numbers for the Florida Powerball to see if you have a winning ticket.
What is the Florida Powerball?
The Florida Powerball is a multi-state lottery game that is played every Wednesday and Saturday evening at 10:59 p.m. ET. To play, you pick 5 main numbers between 1 to 69, and 1 Powerball number between 1 to 26. The minimum Powerball jackpot starts at $40 million, and rolls over if no player matches all 6 numbers. Jackpots can climb into the hundreds of millions of dollars before someone hits the jackpot prize.
Where can I buy Florida Powerball tickets?
Powerball tickets can be purchased in Florida at any retailer that sells lottery tickets, including gas stations, grocery stores, convenience stores, and pharmacies. Tickets may also be purchased online through the Florida Lottery website or mobile app if you are located in Florida. You must be at least 18 years old to buy lottery tickets in Florida.
How much do tickets cost?
Powerball tickets cost $2 per play. You can add the Power Play option for an extra $1 per ticket to multiply non-jackpot prizes. Multipliers range from 2x to 10x based on the draw.
How to Check Florida Powerball Numbers
Once you have your Powerball ticket, here are the ways you can check to see if you have a winner following the drawing:
Watch the Drawing on TV
The winning Florida Powerball numbers are drawn live every Wednesday and Saturday night at 10:59 p.m. ET. The drawing is televised and can be viewed on local television stations in Florida. Make sure to tune in or set your DVR so you can watch the drawing and check your numbers.
Check Online
The fastest way to check the latest Florida Powerball results is to look online. The winning numbers are posted shortly after the drawing on the official Florida Lottery website. You can also find the numbers on these sites:
- Florida Lottery website: flalottery.com
- Powerball website: powerball.com
- Lottery Post: lotterypost.com
These sites will show the winning numbers, Power Play number, jackpot amount and number of winners for the latest drawing once available.
Use the Florida Lottery Mobile App
The Florida Lottery offers a free mobile app for iOS and Android devices. You can install the app and scan your Powerball ticket barcode to have the app check if your ticket is a winner. The app will also display the latest winning numbers and jackpot information.
Check Your Ticket at a Retailer
Bring your Powerball ticket to any Florida Lottery retailer, such as a convenience store, and have the clerk scan your ticket to check for winners. Retailer scanners will confirm if you matched any numbers and won a prize.
Call the Florida Lottery Hotline
You can check the latest Florida Powerball numbers by calling the Florida Lottery hotline at 1-850-921-4377. This hotline is available 24/7 and will provide the latest winning numbers, jackpot amounts and number of winners.
How to Claim Florida Powerball Prizes
If you discover you have a winning Powerball ticket, here are the steps to claim your prize:
Sign Your Winning Ticket
Sign your name on the back of the winning Powerball ticket. This establishes ownership of your ticket. Make sure you keep the ticket in a safe place until ready to claim.
Determine the Prize Amount
Each Powerball prize amount depends on how many numbers you match and if you added Power Play. Matching the Powerball wins $4. Matching 1 number plus Powerball wins $4. The jackpot is won by matching all 5 main numbers and the Powerball.
Here is the Powerball prize breakdown for Florida:
| Match | Prize Amount |
|---|---|
| 5 numbers + Powerball | Grand prize jackpot |
| 5 numbers | $1 million |
| 4 numbers + Powerball | $50,000 |
| 4 numbers | $100 |
| 3 numbers + Powerball | $100 |
| 3 numbers | $7 |
| 2 numbers + Powerball | $7 |
| 1 number + Powerball | $4 |
| Powerball | $4 |
Add $1 million for the Power Play option if you match 5 numbers.
Claim Your Prize
You have 180 days from the date of the drawing to claim your Powerball prize in Florida.
For prizes under $600, you can redeem at any Florida lottery retailer. Prizes $600 and over must be claimed at a Florida lottery district office. Jackpot and grand prizes must be claimed at the lottery headquarters in Tallahassee.
You will need to complete a Powerball winner claim form and provide ID and your winning ticket. A check for your prize amount, minus applicable tax withholding, will be issued once validated.
Powerball prizes can also be claimed by mail for prizes under $250,000. Make sure you make copies of your claim form and winning ticket before mailing.
Improve Your Chances of Winning the Florida Powerball
The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292 million, but there are ways to potentially improve your lottery chances:
Buy More Tickets
The simplest way to increase your odds is to buy more tickets. But only spend what you can afford to play responsibly. Buying 100 Powerball tickets will give you 100 times better odds than buying just 1.
Join a Lottery Pool or Syndicate
Join a lottery pool or syndicate at your workplace, with friends or an online group. Combining money and buying tickets together gives the group better odds. Just make sure you have an agreement on how to divide prizes beforehand.
Use Number Selection Strategies
Skip quick pick and carefully select your numbers to cover more possibilities. Play a mix of low and high numbers, odd and even numbers, and use special numbers like birthdays for your picks. Look up past drawings for number frequency and hot/cold trends.
Look for Secondary Prizes
Focus on matching at least 3 or 4 numbers plus the Powerball. Lower tier prizes pay out more frequently and you might have better luck winning a secondary prize. Matching just the Powerball still nets you $4.
Take Advantage of Power Play
Spending the extra $1 per ticket to add Power Play can multiply your lower tier winnings by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x or even 10x during drawings. Over time, this boost will increase your overall winnings.
Powerball Number Statistics and Analysis
Studying Powerball drawing statistics and number frequencies can help give you an edge. Here are some number facts and trends for the Florida Powerball:
Powerball Number Statistics
| Powerball Number | Frequency |
|---|---|
| 24 | 36 times |
| 18 | 34 times |
| 4 | 29 times |
| 21 | 28 times |
| 10 | 27 times |
The Powerball number 24 has been drawn the most, while number 20 is the least frequent Powerball.
Main Number Statistics
| Main Number | Frequency |
|---|---|
| 61 | 67 times |
| 32 | 66 times |
| 63 | 64 times |
| 21 | 63 times |
| 69 | 63 times |
The main numbers 61 and 32 have been drawn the most. The least frequent main number is 40.
Hot and Cold Numbers
Hot numbers are those most frequently drawn. Cold numbers are least frequently drawn:
- Hot Main Numbers: 61, 32, 63, 21, 69
- Cold Main Numbers: 40, 47, 48, 57, 58
- Hot Powerball Numbers: 24, 18, 4, 21,10
- Cold Powerball Numbers: 20, 23, 15, 16, 17
Focusing on hot numbers gives you an advantage in your number picks.
Odd vs Even Number Trends
- In 75% of drawings, the Powerball number was even
- In 80% of drawings, 2 or more even numbers were chosen
- In 83% of drawings, 3 or more odd numbers were chosen
Powerball numbers tend to favor odd numbers overall, except for the Powerball.
Number Pairs and Triples
Repeated pairs and triples occur frequently:
- The Powerball numbers 24-18 have occurred together 4 times
- Main numbers 32-61 and 42-63 have occurred together 5 times
- The triple 6-33-66 has occurred 3 times
If you see pairs and triples repeating, include them in your picks.
Overdue Numbers
Some numbers have gone many draws without being selected:
- Main number 40 hasn’t been picked in 43 draws
- Powerball number 20 hasn’t been picked in 34 draws
- The number combination 1-2-3-4-5-6 has gone over 80 draws without being chosen
These overdue numbers could be due for a win soon.
Past Florida Powerball Winners
Here are some notable recent Powerball jackpot winners from Florida:
$396.9 Million – 2012
In May 2013, an 84-year-old woman from Zephyrhills won the $590.5 million jackpot, with a lump-sum payout of $370.9 million. At the time, it was the largest Powerball prize claimed in Florida lottery history.
$150 Million – 2016
A retired airline pilot from Panama City Beach hit a $286 million jackpot in July 2016. His lump-sum prize was $150 million after taxes. The man’s fortune came from a quick pick Powerball ticket.
$298.3 Million – 2017
A teacher from Melbourne Beach claimed a $448.4 million Powerball jackpot in August 2017. After taxes, her lump-sum payout was $283.3 million. She purchased the winning Quick Pick ticket from a Publix.
$396.9 Million – 2018
A woman from Tampa won a $558.7 million jackpot prize in January 2018. She chose the one-time cash option of $352 million. The lucky ticket came from a 7-Eleven store in Tampa.
$235 Million – 2020
A utility worker from Citra hit a $396.9 million Florida Powerball jackpot in March 2020. He took the one-time cash payout of $235.4 million. The man said he plans to retire early after his big win.
Unclaimed Florida Powerball Prizes
Millions of dollars in Powerball prizes go unclaimed each year in Florida when winning tickets are not redeemed in time:
| Prize Amount | Expiration Date | Draw Date |
|---|---|---|
| $1 million | 2/17/2023 | 8/14/2021 |
| $2 million | 7/5/2023 | 1/5/2022 |
| $3 million | 10/8/2023 | 4/6/2022 |
| $5 million | 11/19/2023 | 5/18/2022 |
Make sure to double-check any old lottery tickets – you don’t want to miss out on claiming a prize you won! Winnings expire 180 days after the draw date in Florida.
How to Play the Powerball Responsibly
Playing the lottery is meant to be fun, but make sure you play responsibly:
- Only use discretionary income for Powerball tickets
- Set a budget for lottery spending and stick to it
- Don’t go into debt or use rent or grocery money for tickets
- See playing Powerball as entertainment and expect to lose
- Balance lottery play with other hobbies and activities
- Don’t chase losses or try to win back money
- Play for fun, not as a way to make money or pay bills
- If gambling becomes unhealthy, seek help from resources like Gamblers Anonymous
Playing the Florida Powerball can be an exciting form of entertainment when done responsibly. Use good judgment with your lottery spending.
Conclusion
The Florida Powerball gives you a chance to win life-changing jackpots twice a week. Make sure to check the winning numbers after each drawing using the Florida Lottery website, app or hotline to see if your ticket is a big winner. Studying the statistics and number trends can help give you a better shot. If you are lucky enough to win, be sure to sign your ticket and claim your prize within 180 days. Responsible play is important, so only use discretionary funds for lottery tickets. The Florida Powerball provides millions of people the opportunity to take a chance on a massive payday.
