Powerball Hits $1 Billion: Could You Win Saturday’s Historic Jackpot?

The seventh-largest prize in the game’s history is up for grabs. Here’s what you need to know.

Lottery fever is spiking across the nation as the Powerball jackpot has soared to an estimated $1 billion for the drawing on Saturday, December 13[citation:1]. This monumental prize marks the seventh-largest in Powerball’s history and is the second time in 2025 the game’s top prize has reached the ten-figure mark.

The colossal sum has ignited dreams of instant wealth, but it also comes with famously long odds and critical choices for any potential winner. Whether you’re a casual player or a seasoned hopeful, understanding the details behind this historic jackpot is key.

A Billion-Dollar Year for Powerball

This jackpot continues a record-breaking trend for Powerball. It comes just months after a $1.787 billion jackpot was split by two winning tickets in Missouri and Texas in September 2025[citation:1][citation:10]. That prize remains the second-largest in the game’s history, trailing only the record $2.04 billion won in November 2022.

The current jackpot climbed to $1 billion after no ticket matched all six numbers in the Wednesday, December 10 drawing. The winning numbers for that draw were:

Winning Numbers for Wednesday, Dec. 10. The Power Play multiplier was 3X.

The Staggering Odds: What Does 1 in 292 Million Really Mean?

While the prize is enormous, the chance of winning it is exceptionally small. The odds of matching all five white balls (1-69) and the red Powerball (1-26) are 1 in 292,201,338.

To visualize those odds, you are:

• Over 400 times more likely to be struck by lightning in your lifetime (approx. 1 in 700,000).
• Much more likely to become a movie star or the President of the United States.

It’s worth remembering that Powerball offers nine total ways to win, with much better odds for smaller prizes. Your overall chance of winning any prize is about 1 in 25.

How to Play and Boost Your Winnings

Playing is straightforward. For $2, you select five numbers from 1 to 69 and one Powerball number from 1 to 26. You can also opt for a “Quick Pick,” where the numbers are randomly generated for you.

For an extra $1 per play, you can add the Power Play multiplier. This feature can multiply non-jackpot prizes by 2, 3, 4, 5, or even 10 times[citation:3][citation:7]. If you match five white balls with Power Play, you automatically win a $2 million prize.

Important Note: The 10X multiplier is only available when the advertised jackpot is $150 million or less.

Annuity vs. Cash: The Winner’s Biggest Choice

If you beat the odds, you’ll face an immediate, life-altering decision: how to take the money.

• Annuity Option: The full advertised $1 billion prize, paid out in 30 graduated payments over 29 years[citation:3].
• Cash Option: A single, immediate lump-sum payment. For this drawing, that amount is estimated at $461.3 million before taxes.

The vast majority of recent major jackpot winners have chosen the immediate cash payment.

A Look Back: Recent Jackpot Winners

Big jackpots can come from anywhere. The recent $1.787 billion winners from September 2025 are a perfect example:

Ready to Play? Final Details

Powerball tickets are sold in 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands[citation:1][citation:3]. Sales cut-off times vary by state, typically falling one to two hours before the 10:59 p.m. ET draw time.

Remember, a ticket is a responsibility. Sign the back of your ticket immediately, keep it secure, and if you win, consult with a reputable financial advisor and legal professional before claiming your prize.

Will Saturday night make a new multimillionaire? All it takes is one $2 ticket and six perfect numbers. Good luck!