Powerball is one of the most popular lottery games in the United States. The base Powerball game costs $2 per play. Players select 5 white ball numbers from 1 to 69 and 1 red Powerball number from 1 to 26. Prizes start at $4 for matching just the Powerball number up to the jackpot for matching all 5 white balls and the Powerball.
Powerball offers two optional features that allow players to increase their non-jackpot winnings:
- Power Play
- Double Play
Power Play costs an additional $1 per play. It multiplies non-jackpot prizes by a number randomly selected from 2x to 10x. Double Play also costs $1 extra per play. It gives players a second chance to match numbers again and win a separate prize.
How Does Powerball Power Play Work?
Powerball Power Play is an add-on feature that can be purchased for an additional $1 per Powerball play. It multiplies any non-jackpot prizes won on that play by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x! Here is how it works:
- When purchasing a Powerball ticket, you can choose to add Power Play for $1 extra per play.
- A Power Play number (2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x) will be drawn before the main Powerball drawing.
- If you win any non-jackpot prize on your Power Play ticket, that amount will be multiplied by the Power Play number drawn.
- For example, if you win $50,000 on your Power Play ticket and the Power Play drawn is 4x, you win $200,000 ($50,000 x 4)!
- The 10x Power Play multiplier is only available when the advertised Powerball jackpot is $150 million or less.
Here is a table summarizing the Power Play prize multipliers:
| Power Play Number Drawn | Prize Multiplier |
|---|---|
| 2 | 2x |
| 3 | 3x |
| 4 | 4x |
| 5 | 5x |
| 10 (when jackpot under $150 million) | 10x |
The Power Play option only applies to non-jackpot prizes. It does NOT multiply the Powerball jackpot if you win it. The Match 5 + 0 prize (for matching 5 white balls but not the Powerball) also does not get multiplied.
But all other lower-tier prizes can be multiplied by the Power Play number drawn, dramatically increasing your winnings!
Powerball Power Play Examples
Here are some examples to illustrate how much more you could win with Power Play:
- You win $10,000 on your Powerball ticket. The Power Play drawn is 3x. Your prize is multiplied to $30,000.
- You win $50,000 on your Powerball ticket. The Power Play drawn is 10x. Your prize is multiplied to $500,000!
- You win $100 on your Powerball ticket. The Power Play drawn is 4x. Your prize is multiplied to $400.
As you can see, Power Play has the opportunity to significantly increase your secondary prize winnings in Powerball! The $1 extra you spend per play could give you 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x or even 10x your winnings!
How Does Powerball Double Play Work?
Powerball Double Play is another optional feature that can be added to your Powerball ticket for $1 extra per play. Here is how it works:
- When you purchase a Powerball ticket, you can choose to add Double Play for an extra $1 per play.
- Your Double Play numbers are the same as your main Powerball numbers.
- After the main Powerball drawing occurs, a separate Double Play drawing takes place using the same 5/69 white balls and 1/26 Powerball.
- Your Double Play ticket can win prizes again based on matching numbers in the Double Play drawing.
So for $1 extra per play, Double Play gives you a second chance to match your numbers and win additional prizes. The Double Play drawing uses the same Powerball numbers and format – just with a different drawing and separate prize pool.
Here are the Double Play prizes:
| Double Play Prize | Odds of Winning (1 in) |
|---|---|
| Match 5 + PB | 9,366,819 |
| Match 5 | 701,681 |
| Match 4 + PB | 36,525 |
| Match 4 | 3,387 |
| Match 3 + PB | 306 |
| Match 3 | 67 |
| Match 2 + PB | 12 |
| Match 1 + PB | 7 |
| Match 0 + PB | 3 |
The Double Play top prize for matching 5 white balls + the Powerball is set at $10 million. Other Double Play prizes range from $7 for matching just the Powerball up to $500,000 for matching 4 white balls + the Powerball.
Your overall chances of winning any prize in Double Play are 1 in 6.
Powerball Double Play Examples
Here are some Double Play example scenarios:
- You buy a Powerball ticket with Double Play. In the main Powerball drawing, you don’t win a prize. But in the Double Play drawing, you match 4 white balls and win $500.
- You win $100 in the main Powerball drawing for matching 3 numbers. In Double Play, you match 4 numbers + Powerball and win $50,000!
- You fail to win anything in the main Powerball drawing. But in the Double Play drawing, you get extremely lucky and match 5 white balls + Powerball to win the $10 million top prize!
As you can see, Double Play presents a separate opportunity to match your numbers again and win prizes in a different drawing – including a 1 in 9.3 million chance at a $10 million top prize!
Many players enjoy the extra fun and excitement Double Play adds to the Powerball experience. Over time, you can expect to win some type of Double Play prize about once in every 6 tickets.
Key Differences Between Powerball Power Play and Double Play
Though Power Play and Double Play sound similar, there are some key differences:
- Power Play multiplies your winnings on your original Powerball ticket by up to 10 times.
- Double Play gives you a second chance to win a separate prize in a new drawing.
- Power Play costs $1 extra per Powerball play.
- Double Play also costs $1 extra per Powerball play.
- Power Play only affects non-jackpot prizes.
- Double Play prizes range from $7 to $10 million.
- Power Play uses a random multiplier of 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x or 10x.
- Double Play is an entirely separate drawing with the same 5/69 and 1/26 format.
In summary, Power Play can dramatically increase your secondary winnings in the main Powerball drawing, while Double Play gives you a second set of Powerball numbers for a separate drawing and more chances to win. Both options cost just $1 extra per play.
Many players choose to add both Power Play and Double Play to maximize their chances of winning big prizes when they play Powerball.
What States Offer Powerball Power Play and Double Play?
Most states that offer Powerball also offer the Power Play and Double Play add-on features. However, there are some exceptions:
- Power Play is available in every state that sells Powerball tickets except California.
- Double Play is available in most Powerball states, but not offered in California, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington DC, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands.
So before playing, check whether your state participates in Power Play and Double Play. Most do, but a handful of states and jurisdictions do not offer one or both options.
Of course, you can always play Powerball on its own without adding either Power Play or Double Play. But for just $1 extra per play, each feature presents exciting opportunities to increase your winnings and prizes!
What Are Some Strategies for Powerball Power Play and Double Play?
Here are some suggested strategies when playing Powerball with the Power Play and Double Play add-ons:
- Always add Power Play! For just $1 more, you could multiply your secondary winnings up to 10 times.
- Add Double Play when the Powerball jackpot is smaller. Your odds of winning the $10 million top prize are the best when the jackpot is low.
- Use key number Powerball combinations that you play. Since your Double Play numbers are the same, this could increase your chances of matching numbers in both drawings.
- Spread your Powerball budget across more tickets instead of fewer expensive ones. More tickets can mean more chances to have Power Play or Double Play pay off.
There are no perfect strategies, but adding Power Play is a no-brainer. When jackpots are smaller, Double Play offers better odds at exciting prizes like $500,000 or $10 million. Using versatile numbers on both tickets can give you two chances to match. And playing more tickets with Power Play and Double Play means more opportunities to get lucky!
What Are the Pros and Cons of Powerball Power Play and Double Play?
Here are some key pros and cons when deciding whether to add Power Play or Double Play to your Powerball tickets:
Power Play Pros:
- Chance to multiply winnings by up to 10 times
- Only costs $1 extra per play
- Excellent way to boost secondary prizes
- Available in nearly every Powerball state
Power Play Cons:
- Does not affect Powerball jackpot prize
- Does not apply to Match 5 base prize
- You can only win if your main Powerball ticket also wins
Double Play Pros:
- Second chance to win prizes with same numbers
- Only costs $1 extra per play
- Chance at $10 million top prize
- 1 in 6 overall odds of winning a prize
Double Play Cons:
- Not offered in some Powerball states
- You don’t get to pick new Double Play numbers
- Top prize only $10 million (not huge Powerball jackpot)
In general, Power Play offers a great way to increase your winnings on your main Powerball ticket for just $1 extra. Double Play gives you more excitement and chances to win, but with a smaller top prize. Adding both features maximizes your chances of winning prizes.
Have There Been Any Big Powerball Power Play or Double Play Winners?
Over the years, there have certainly been some very lucky Powerball winners thanks to the Power Play and Double Play add-on features! Here are some notable examples:
- In 2008, a $200,000 Powerball prize in Nebraska was multiplied to $1 million with the 5x Power Play.
- In 2016, a Pennsylvania player won a $50,000 prize and had it multiplied to $150,000 with the 3x Power Play.
- In 2020, two players in New Jersey and Minnesota won $1 million prizes that were tripled to $3 million with the 3x Power Play.
- In 2021, a woman in Florida won a $50,000 prize that was quadrupled to $200,000 with a 4x Power Play.
- In 2022, two players in California won $1.4 million in Double Play after matching 5 numbers.
- Also in 2022, a man in Montana won $10,000 which was multiplied to $100,000 with a 10x Power Play.
These examples show how Power Play can turn thousands into millions and Double Play presents exciting new chances to win big. Both features have created huge winners over the years who are very glad they spent the extra $1!
Conclusion
In summary, Powerball Power Play and Double Play offer fun options to increase your chances of winning prizes for just $1 extra per play.
Power Play can multiply your secondary winnings by up to 10 times. Double Play gives you a separate drawing to win prizes like $500,000 or a $10 million jackpot.
Though the two features sound similar, Power Play boosts your main ticket’s prizes while Double Play is an additional drawing. Both provide exciting ways to potentially win big for a small $1 fee.
Next time you buy a Powerball ticket, consider adding Power Play to boost your winnings. When jackpots are lower, Double Play also gives you better odds at exciting prizes. And you can always combine both options to maximize your chances of winning! Just $1 extra per play can give your Powerball experience more power and more play.
