Multidraw is a feature offered by some lotteries like Powerball that allows players to play the same set of numbers for multiple consecutive draws. This can save time and effort instead of having to purchase a new ticket for each draw.
What is Multidraw?
Multidraw, also known as advance play, is an option offered by lotteries that allows you to play the same numbers over multiple future draws. For example, with Powerball you can play the same set of numbers for up to 10 consecutive draws.
When you use Multidraw, you pay for the ticket once upfront and your numbers will automatically be entered into the specified number of future drawings. You don’t have to purchase and fill out a new ticket each time – it’s all taken care of with one purchase.
How does it work?
Here is a step-by-step overview of how Multidraw works when playing Powerball:
- Select your five main numbers (1-69) and the Powerball number (1-26). These will be the numbers entered across all drawings.
- Mark the Multidraw box on your Powerball play slip.
- Indicate how many consecutive draws you want to play – up to 10.
- A 10-draw ticket will have your numbers entered into the next 10 Powerball drawings after the ticket purchase.
- Pay the cost of a single ticket multiplied by the number of draws you selected.
- Receive one ticket good for that number of consecutive Powerball draws.
So if you select 5 draws and mark your numbers on one play slip, you will receive a single ticket good for the next 5 Powerball drawings. Your chosen numbers will be entered into all 5 draws automatically.
What are the advantages?
There are a few key advantages to using the Multidraw option when playing Powerball:
- Convenience – Make one quick purchase instead of buying a ticket for each draw.
- Easy number tracking – Your numbers stay the same across multiple draws.
- Don’t miss draws – Numbers are automatically entered into every drawing.
- Discounted purchases – Some lotteries offer a discount when you buy Multidraw.
The convenience factor is the biggest benefit for most players. Instead of making separate purchases for every Powerball draw, your numbers are automatically included in each drawing for up to 10 weeks in a row.
Are there any downsides?
There aren’t really any significant downsides to using Multidraw, but a couple things to note:
- You pay upfront for every drawing, even if you end up deciding you don’t want to play some weeks.
- There’s less flexibility – your numbers stay the same every draw rather than changing each time.
- Big wins are split if there are multiple winners over the Multidraw period.
For most players the advantages outweigh these factors, but they are worth considering when deciding if Multidraw is the right choice each time you play.
Can you win multiple times from one Multidraw ticket?
Yes, it’s absolutely possible to win more than once on a Multidraw Powerball ticket! Since your numbers are entered into multiple consecutive draws, you have the chance to match the winning numbers every single time.
If your numbers come up as winners in a particular draw, you win a prize for that drawing. Then your same numbers will continue being automatically entered into the remaining draws on your Multidraw ticket, giving you more chances at winning.
Some lucky players have won small prizes like $4 or $7 on a few drawings during their Multidraw ticket period. And there are even stories of people hitting the Powerball jackpot more than once on a single Multidraw ticket!
Can you buy Multidraw tickets online?
In most states with online lottery sales, you can purchase Multidraw Powerball tickets online. Here are the steps to buy online:
- Create an account at your lottery’s website or lottery app.
- Select Powerball and click “Multidraw.”
- Choose how many draws (2-10) you want to play.
- Pick your numbers like normal.
- Add your Multidraw Powerball ticket to your cart.
- Complete the purchase and your Multidraw ticket will be active!
Purchasing online offers the same convenience of automatically having your numbers entered into future draws. Many online lotteries also allow you to buy subscriptions which work similarly to Multidraw for long-term automatic play.
What numbers should you play on a Multidraw?
The strategy for picking numbers doesn’t change if you are playing a Multidraw ticket. You’ll want to choose numbers that you feel give you the best mathematical chance of winning.
Some players use birthdates, anniversaries, lucky numbers, Quick Picks, patterns or other methods. It’s entirely up to you how to select numbers that you think might have an edge.
The benefit of playing a Multidraw ticket is that you can stick with your chosen numbers for an extended period. Instead of switching them up each draw, the same numbers are in play for up to 10 weeks in a row.
Can you cancel a Multidraw ticket?
Unfortunately Powerball Multidraw tickets cannot be canceled once purchased. All lotteries have a no cancellation policy for Multidraw tickets. The reason is that the draws have predetermined jackpots based on estimated ticket sales.
Once you complete your Multidraw purchase, your numbers are locked in for the specified number of drawings on the ticket. But any unused draws after a jackpot win will be eligible for refunds if requested.
Do you have to claim Multidraw prizes separately?
Multidraw Powerball prizes do not have to be claimed separately – they can be redeemed all at once or individually over time. Smaller prizes are usually paid directly by retailers, while larger wins need to be claimed at lottery headquarters for each draw.
When you win on a Multidraw ticket, the prize is specific to that individual drawing. Powerball has stated that you don’t have to wait until the end of the Multidraw period to start redeeming prizes.
As soon as a particular draw has taken place with your numbers winning, you can claim that specific prize amount. Jackpots usually need to be redeemed at lottery offices, while smaller prizes can be paid at retail locations.
Do Multidraw prizes expire?
Powerball prizes, including those won on Multidraw tickets, expire a certain number of days after the draw date. Here are the Powerball prize claim expiration periods:
- Jackpot & Grand Prizes: 180 days
- $1 million prize: 60 days
- $50,000-$1 million prizes: 12 months
- $600 and under prizes: 90 days
These deadlines apply to Multidraw winnings just like regular Powerball prizes. Make sure to check your ticket after each drawing on your Multidraw ticket so you don’t miss claiming any lower tier amounts you might have won.
How to buy Multidraw tickets in-store
Buying a Multidraw Powerball ticket in-store is a quick and easy process:
- Grab a Powerball play slip from the retailer.
- Choose your five main numbers and the Powerball number.
- Mark the box for Multidraw on the play slip.
- Indicate the number of draws you want to play (2-10).
- Take your completed slip to the cashier.
- Pay the cost for a single Powerball play multiplied by your number of draws.
- Receive your official Multidraw ticket from the cashier.
Some states also offer the option of quick pick Multidraw tickets. Just ask for a quick pick Multidraw at the counter and the retailer terminal will randomly generate the numbers.
Key tips for playing Multidraw
Here are some top tips to keep in mind when playing Powerball with the Multidraw option:
- Check tickets carefully – Don’t miss any winning draws during the Multidraw period.
- Use secure storage – Keep your Multidraw ticket in a safe place until all draws have passed.
- Avoid number changes – Don’t alter your numbers between draws or risk disqualification.
- Research claiming procedures – Understand the process for redeeming both small and large prizes.
- Note expiration dates – Mark your calendar so you don’t forget deadlines for claiming prizes.
Using Multidraw for Powerball takes the hassle out of playing multiple draws. Follow these tips and you can sit back knowing your lucky numbers are entered draw after draw!
Common questions about Multidraw
How much does it cost to do a Multidraw?
A Powerball Multidraw ticket costs as much as a single Powerball play multiplied by the number of draws selected. For example, playing 5 weeks of Multidraw costs 5 times as much as buying a single ticket.
Can you play different numbers each draw?
No, Multidraw requires you to use the same numbers for every draw on the ticket. You cannot change numbers between the drawings.
What happens if Powerball ends during a Multidraw ticket?
You would receive a refund for any unused portion of your Multidraw ticket that extended beyond Powerball ending. All lotteries have refund policies in place for these situations.
Can you use Power Play with Multidraw?
Yes, when purchasing a Multidraw Powerball ticket you can also add on Power Play for an extra $1 per play. It will multiply non-jackpot wins by 2, 3, 4, 5 or 10 times for each applicable drawing.
Is a Multidraw ticket transferrable?
No, Multidraw tickets are not transferable between people according to Powerball rules. The individual who originally bought the Multidraw ticket is considered the sole owner and holder.
The history of Multidraw
Multidraw originated from player demand for a convenient way to enter multiple upcoming lottery drawings. Over time, lotteries began offering advance play options to meet this need.
Powerball introduced Multidraw capabilities in 1997 when the game started. Originally, players could purchase up to 5 weeks of Multidraw tickets. This was increased to 10 weeks just a few years later due to popularity.
Today nearly every US lottery offers some form of Multidraw or advance play feature. Powerball now sells millions of Multidraw tickets each year, making up a significant portion of overall purchases.
Multidraw has become a core component of the Powerball game. The convenience and ease of automatically playing sequential draws has made the feature a hit with players over the past 25+ years.
Fun facts about Multidraw
- The record for most consecutive jackpots won on a single Multidraw ticket is 2.
- The largest Multidraw prize ever awarded was a $487 million Powerball jackpot split by 2 tickets in 2016.
- The odds of winning any prize on a 10-draw Multidraw ticket are about 50% better than on a single ticket.
- About 32-35% of all Powerball ticket sales are Multidraw purchases.
- The latest date on a Multidraw ticket can be up to 353 days into the future if the max 10 draws are purchased on a Saturday.
In summary
Multidraw allows Powerball players to conveniently purchase tickets for up to 10 consecutive future drawings. By using the same numbers across multiple draws, players enjoy added comfort and don’t have to worry about missing any drawings or repeating ticket purchases.
With competitive jackpot odds and better overall odds of winning any prize, Multidraw has grown tremendously in popularity over Powerball’s history. The feature adds flexibility and engagement for devoted jackpot chasers.
Understanding how Multidraw works and the ins and outs of redeeming prizes allows you to strategically take advantage of all the benefits. Just remember to play responsibly and always confirm your numbers carefully on official draw reports.