The Kentucky Lottery Power Play is an optional feature that allows players to increase non-jackpot prize winnings by multiplying the amount won by the Power Play number selected for that draw. By adding Power Play to a Powerball ticket purchase for an additional $1 per play, players have the chance to multiply their winnings by 2, 3, 4, 5 or 10 times, except for the jackpot and Match 5 prize.
How does the Power Play work in the Kentucky Lottery?
Here is how the Kentucky Lottery Power Play works:
- When buying a Powerball ticket, players can choose to add Power Play for an extra $1 per play.
- Before each Powerball draw, a Power Play number (2, 3, 4, 5 or 10) is randomly selected.
- If the player wins a non-jackpot prize in that draw, their prize amount is multiplied by the Power Play number.
- The Power Play only applies to non-jackpot prize levels, not the jackpot or the Match 5 prize.
- The 10X Power Play multiplier is only in play when the jackpot is $150 million or less.
For example, if a player matches 4 white balls and the Powerball for a $50,000 prize, and the Power Play number drawn is 5, the player’s total prize would be $250,000 because the $50,000 is multiplied by the 5X Power Play.
What are the Power Play prize multipliers?
Here are the Power Play numbers and multipliers in the Kentucky Powerball game:
| Power Play Number | Prize Multiplier |
|---|---|
| 2 | 2X |
| 3 | 3X |
| 4 | 4X |
| 5 | 5X |
| 10 | 10X (when jackpot is $150 million or less) |
As you can see, the Power Play offers the chance to multiply non-jackpot prizes by up to 10 times, providing players the opportunity to win big prize amounts in Kentucky Powerball.
What are the Powerball prize levels in Kentucky?
Here are the nine prize levels in the Kentucky Powerball game and the prizes won:
| Prize Level | Match | Fixed Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 – Jackpot | 5 white balls + Powerball | Jackpot |
| 2 | 5 white balls | $1 million |
| 3 | 4 white balls + Powerball | $50,000 |
| 4 | 4 white balls | $100 |
| 5 | 3 white balls + Powerball | $100 |
| 6 | 3 white balls | $7 |
| 7 | 2 white balls + Powerball | $7 |
| 8 | 1 white balls + Powerball | $4 |
| 9 | Powerball only | $4 |
The Power Play applies to prize levels 2 through 8, multiplying the fixed prize amount by the Power Play number drawn. The jackpot and Match 5 $1 million prize are not multiplied.
What are the odds of winning with the Power Play?
Adding the Power Play option does not impact the overall odds of winning a prize in Powerball. The chances remain the same for matching all white balls and the Powerball. However, the payouts are increased by the Power Play for those prize levels. Here are the Powerball odds with and without the Power Play:
| Prize Level | Odds (1 in…) | Odds with Power Play |
|---|---|---|
| Jackpot | 292,201,338 | No change |
| Match 5 | 11,688,053 | No change |
| Match 4 + PB | 913,129 | No change |
| Match 4 | 36,525 | No change |
| Match 3 + PB | 14,494 | No change |
| Match 3 | 580 | No change |
| Match 2 + PB | 702 | No change |
| Match 1 + PB | 92 | No change |
| Match PB | 38 | No change |
As you can see, the overall odds of winning a prize do not change with the Power Play. The key difference is the increased payouts on the wins.
What are the advantages of playing Power Play?
There are a few key advantages to adding the Power Play option when playing Kentucky Powerball:
- Chance to multiply non-jackpot wins – Allows wins up to $1 million to be multiplied up to 10 times
- Bigger prizes without longer odds – Increases payouts without impacting the overall odds of winning
- Opportunity for huge wins – 10X Power Play can turn smaller prizes into multi-million dollar wins
- Adds excitement – Power Play draws add extra anticipation to see the multiplier result
- Just $1 extra per play – Small additional cost to potentially boost non-jackpot prizes substantially
For just $1 extra per play, players can significantly increase their non-jackpot winnings in Kentucky Powerball when adding the Power Play.
What are the disadvantages of the Power Play option?
There aren’t too many downsides to playing the Power Play, but here are a couple small disadvantages:
- No impact on jackpot win – Power Play does not apply to multiply the jackpot prize
- $1 extra per play – While relatively small, the extra $1 cost per play can add up
- Prize jumps less frequent – With higher starting prizes, some prize levels increase less often
The main thing is that Power Play does not impact the jackpot prize. However, on balance, the opportunity for bigger prizes generally outweighs the small negatives for Kentucky Powerball players.
When is the Powerball Power Play 10x available?
The 10X Power Play multiplier can come into play when the Powerball jackpot is $150 million or lower. Once the jackpot exceeds $150 million, the 10X multiplier is no longer available and the maximum multiplier becomes 5X. Here is an overview of when 10X occurs:
- When jackpot is less than $150 million, Power Play numbers are 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, and 10X
- When jackpot is $150 million or more, Power Play numbers are reduced to 2X, 3X, 4X, and 5X (no 10X)
- After jackpot is hit, 10X becomes available again for next draw and until jackpot reaches $150 million once again
So for players looking for a chance at huge Power Play prize multipliers, try to play when the jackpot is lower than $150 million and the 10X multiplier is in effect in Kentucky Powerball.
Does Power Play change the Powerball jackpot amount?
No, the Power Play feature does not impact or multiply the Powerball jackpot prize. The advertised jackpot is based on the annuity option and remains the same whether a player chooses Power Play or not. The cash value jackpot is also unaffected by Power Play. Only the lower eight prize levels are eligible for the Power Play multiplier.
Can you win the jackpot with Power Play?
Yes, players can absolutely still win the Kentucky Powerball jackpot with Power Play. Choosing Power Play simply means that if you win a lower prize, that prize can be multiplied by the Power Play number. The odds of matching all 5 white balls and the Powerball remain 1 in 292 million whether you play Power Play or not.
All Power Play does is boost the non-jackpot prizes. So if you match all 5 and the Powerball for the jackpot, that prize is unchanged. But Power Play gives you the chance to multiply any smaller prize wins you may get.
Has anyone won big prizes with the Power Play in Kentucky?
There have definitely been some noteworthy Power Play wins in Kentucky Powerball over the years. Here are some of the biggest Kentucky Powerball prizes multiplied with Power Play:
- $2 million – Won in 2009 when a 10X Power Play multiplied a $200,000 prize.
- $2 million – Awarded in 2017 when Power Play turned a $1 million Match 5 win into $2 million.
- $550,000 – Won in 2020 by multiplying a $50,000 prize by 11X Power Play.
- $440,000 – Won in 2022 by a players whose $40,000 prize was multiplied by 11X.
These examples demonstrate how Power Play can dramatically increase prizes for Kentucky lottery players. While not common, 10X and other multipliers can quickly turn modest wins into multimillion dollar prizes.
What are the odds of each Power Play multiplier?
Each Power Play number has equal odds of being drawn. When the 10X option is available, here are odds of each multiplier:
- 2X – 1 in 5
- 3X – 1 in 5
- 4X – 1 in 5
- 5X – 1 in 5
- 10X – 1 in 5
When the jackpot exceeds $150 million and 10X is unavailable, the odds change to:
- 2X – 1 in 4
- 3X – 1 in 4
- 4X – 1 in 4
- 5X – 1 in 4
So each multiplier has equal odds of being selected during the Power Play draw when playing Kentucky Powerball.
Do you have better odds with Power Play?
In terms of the chances of matching all numbers to win prizes, the Power Play option does not improve the odds. The base odds of winning any prize level remain the same whether you choose Power Play or not.
What Power Play does is give you the chance to multiply your lower tier prizes for a shot at bigger payouts. So it does not make it any easier to match numbers initially, but it provides the opportunity for much higher prizes when you do match some numbers.
Can you use Power Play with Powerball with Double Play?
Yes, players who purchase the Double Play add-on for Kentucky Powerball can also add Power Play. By playing both options, you can multiply your lower tier Double Play prizes as well for even bigger potential payouts across both sets of numbers.
Double Play gives you a second chance to match your numbers in a separate drawing. And Power Play boosts certain winnings. So playing Powerball with both can maximize your prize opportunities.
What are the main Powerball Power Play tips and strategies?
When playing the Kentucky Powerball Power Play, it’s good to keep these tips in mind:
- Know when 10X is available – The 10X multiplier only occurs when the jackpot is under $150 million.
- All multipliers equally likely – Each Power Play number has the same odds of being selected.
- Boosts lower tier prizes – Power Play increases prizes below the jackpot and Match 5 level.
- Play Double Play too – Add Double Play for a second chance to match numbers and multiply prizes.
- Just $1 extra – A small price to pay for the chance at vastly bigger prize payouts.
Using these Powerball Power Play tips can help you make the most of this exciting add-on feature by maximizing your chances at both the jackpot and multiplied smaller prizes in Kentucky.
Conclusion
The Kentucky Powerball Power Play provides a straightforward way to increase your non-jackpot winnings for just $1 extra per play. By multiplying your lower tier prizes by up to 10 times, it gives you the opportunity to turn small wins into incredibly exciting prizes. Just be aware that Power Play does not impact the jackpot amount, as that is determined solely by ticket sales. With huge jackpots and now even bigger secondary prizes when you match some numbers, Powerball Power Play is a fun add-on that’s worth considering next time you play.