Powerball jackpot rises to $620 million, 10th largest in US
The Powerball jackpot has climbed to an estimated $620 million after nearly four months without a big winner
After nearly four months without a big winner, the Powerball jackpot has climbed to an estimated $620 million, making it the 10th largest U.S. lottery prize ahead of Saturday night's drawing.
There have been 39 drawings in a row without a Powerball grand prize winner, dating back to the last time someone hit the jackpot on June 5.
It's no mystery why it's been so long since a player has hit the jackpot — the odds are a steep one in 292.2 million.
Although the jackpot is billed as $620 million, that is the estimate for the annuity option paid over 30 years. Winners nearly always opt for the cash option, which for Saturday's drawing will be an estimated $446 million.
Either way, it's a huge amount of money, though it's far from the record prize. That was a $1.586 billion Powerball jackpot won in 2016 by ticket holders from CaliforniaFlorida and Tennessee
Powerball is played in 45 states plus Washington, D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.