By New York Post (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-09 18:15:53 | Updated at 2026-08-09 23:41:08
5 hours ago
The Powerball jackpot has swelled past $900 million, the eighth largest payout in history — but the odds show players are more likely to be struck by lightning twice win.
The jackpot is now $905 million ahead of the next drawing Monday after no one matched all six numbers in Saturday’s drawing. The largest ever jackpot was an eye-watering $2.04 billion in 2022, with the winning ticket purchased in California.
Monday’s top prize can be paid out in 30 payments over 29 years, or be collected in a $392 million cash up front before taxes, according to Powerball.
No one has hit the jackpot since May 2.
The prize for winning Monday’s PowerBall has jumped to a nearly $1 billion jackpot USA TODAY Network via Reuters ConnectThe chances of hitting all five white balls plus the Powerball sit at a brutal 1 -in-292,201,338, with one analysis even estimating you’re more than 19,000 times more likely to be struck by lightning than win the Powerball jackpot, according to prediction market OddsReference.
You’re also more likely to be struck by lightning twice in your lifetime, give birth to natural quadruplets, or even be hit by a meteor, according to multiple data sources.
Although nobody won Saturday’s previous grand prize of $856 million, someone in Texas was lucky enough to hit all five white balls plus the Power Play to take home $2 million, according to Powerball. Although nobody won Saturday’s previous grand prize of $856 million, someone in Texas was lucky enough to hit all five white balls plus the Power Play to take home $2 million, according to Powerball.
Four other tickets, including one sold in New York, matched all five white balls and won $1 million each, according to the lottery.
Drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, with the next one scheduled for Monday, Aug. 10, just before 11 p.m. on the east coast.
