Powerball

Powerball is an American lottery game sold by 45 lotteries as a shared jackpot game. It is coordinated by the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), a non-profit organization formed by an agreement with lotteries. Since the format change on January 15, 2012, Powerball's minimum advertised jackpot is $40 million (annuity) with a potential of nine-figure prizes. Its annuity option is paid in 30 graduated installments; winners may choose a lump sum cash payment instead, but with a substantial discount. Powerball drawings are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10:59 p.m. Eastern time. The game uses a 5/59 (white balls) + 1/35 (Powerballs) matrix from which winning numbers are chosen. Each play costs $2, or, with the Power Play option, $3. (Prior to January 15, 2012, games cost $1 each, or $2 with Power Play; that option was added in 2001.) The official cutoff time for ticket sales is 10 pm ET; some jurisdictions cut sales earlier. The drawings usually are held at the Florida Lottery’s high-tech studio in Tallahassee.

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powerball