Ticking even closer to the $1 billion mark, the Saturday, Aug. 30 Powerball jackpot is worth an eye-watering $950 million, making it already the sixth-largest in the game’s history.

If someone matches all five numbers and the Powerball, they can choose a one-time cash payment of $428.9 million.

Although no one took the jackpot home in the Aug. 27 drawing, there were some lucky winners. Three people in Mississippi, Ohio and Virginia won $2 million prizes, while three players in Arizona, New York and Virginia won $1 million.

With almost $1 billion on the line, the next Powerball drawing will mark the 39th drawing since the last Powerball jackpot was won in California back in May. The last time someone took home a major Powerball jackpot was back on April 6, 2024, when one person in Oregon won $1.326 billion.

When is the next Powerball drawing?

The next Powerball drawing is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 30 at 11 p.m. ET. You can watch the drawing on Powerball.com or the Powerball YouTube channel.

What are the top 10 Powerball jackpots?

  • $2.04 billion – Nov. 7, 2022 – California
  • $1.765 billion – Oct. 11, 2023 – California
  • $1.586 billion – Jan. 13, 2016 – California, Florida, Tennessee
  • $1.326 billion – April 6, 2024 – Oregon
  • $1.08 billion – July 19, 2023 – California
  • $950 million – Aug. 30, 2025 – winner TBD
  • $842.4 million – Jan. 1, 2024 – Michigan
  • $768.4 million – March 27, 2019 – Wisconsin
  • $758.7 million – Aug. 23, 2017 – Massachusetts
  • $754.6 million – Feb. 6, 2023 – Washington

How to play the Powerball

To play the Powerball lottery, you need to purchase a ticket for $2. Tickets are available at various locations, such as your local convenience store, gas station or grocery store. In some states, you can also buy Powerball tickets online.

Once you have your ticket, you need to choose six numbers. Five of them will be white balls numbered from 1 to 69, and one red Powerball numbered from 1 to 26. Additionally, you have the option to add a “Power Play” for $1, which increases the winning for all non-jackpot prizes.

The “Power Play” multiplier can multiply winnings by: 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or 10X.

If you are feeling unlucky or want the computer to do the work for you, the “Quick Pick” option is available, where computer-generated numbers will be printed on a Powerball ticket. To win the jackpot, players must match all five white balls in any order and the red Powerball.

Powerball drawings are held on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday nights. If no one wins the jackpot, the cash prize will continue to tick up.

Where to buy lottery tickets

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to select your lottery game and numbers, place your order, view your ticket, and collect your winnings — all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050(MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Could the Powerball jackpot hit $1 billion? What to know about the next drawing

Reporting by Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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