Powerball Power Play: How Does Powerball's Power Play Work?

Powerball is a lottery available in 43 states, plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are held on Wednesday and Saturday nights for a jackpot that is in the tens and sometimes hundreds of millions of dollars. There are also other prizes besides the jackpot, and The Power Play is an add-on option that lets you double non-jackpot winnings.

Each Powerball ticket you buy costs $2. In exchange for your money, you get to pick six numbers – five white and one red. If you match all six numbers, you've hit the jackpot, and the prize amount varies depending on ticket sales and the number of winners. If you match some of the numbers, the prize is for a set amount, such as $1 million for matching the five white balls. If you elect the Power Play option, which you must do at the time you buy your ticket, it will cost you an additional $1. If you win a prize other than the jackpot, your prize money is doubled. For example, if you hit five white balls correctly, you'd get $2 million instead of $1 million.