Lines outside convenience stores are a strange kind of modern theater: people clutch coffee, share number combinations, trade gossip and daydreams. That was the scene Saturday as players chased an $820 million Powerball pot that nobody matched — and now the jackpot has swelled to an estimated $875 million for the Monday, Dec. 8 drawing.
The quick facts
The Saturday, Dec. 6 winning numbers were 13, 14, 26, 28 and 44; the red Powerball was 7. Power Play: 2X. No ticket matched all six numbers, so the top prize rolled over.
- Odds of hitting the jackpot: 1 in 292.2 million.
- Saturday’s cash option (the lump-sum figure advertised before taxes) was roughly $383.5 million.
- Monday’s estimated annuity jackpot is $875 million, with a one-time cash value near $403.6 million.
There were some big winners short of the jackpot: one Match-5-plus-Power Play ticket worth $2 million was sold in New Jersey, and three Match-5 tickets — $1 million each — were claimed in Florida, Georgia and Texas.
Why the number matters (and why it will still feel much smaller)
Jackpots balloon because nobody hit the exact combination; ticket sales surge, but your personal odds never change. Lottery officials say higher sales just raise the chance that multiple players will share a jackpot if someone does win. And yes, stores that sell tickets see a spike in foot traffic — a small local boost when national headlines roll through town.
If the idea of $400 million-plus in cash (before taxes) makes your pulse quicken, pause for the taxes. Federal withholding, state taxes and the eventual tax bill can slice a big chunk off the advertised cash option. Winners choosing the annuity get 30 annual payments that rise over time; the lump sum is smaller up front but simpler to manage. Either route invites careful financial, legal and tax planning.
Practical stuff for players: a single Powerball play costs $2; add Power Play for $1 to multiply non-jackpot prizes. Drawings are three times a week, Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays at about 10:59 p.m. ET.
If you’re imagining purchases (who isn’t?)
People instantly picture houses, trips and splurges. Tech is a predictable impulse buy: a top-of-the-line laptop or an entertainment upgrade. If a new MacBook is on your fantasy shopping list, you can see current deals on the popular MacBook Air. Gamers dreaming bigger might eye a console refresh; the PlayStation 5 Pro and the way PlayStation hardware is evolving — like the Portal streaming updates — are part of that wishlist and even show up in post-win spending plans (PlayStation Portal can now stream your PS5 library). There are also bargain windows right now; holiday deals mean shoppers often stretch a windfall further — check the recent MacBook Air deals if you’re comparing prices.
You don’t have to be a stateside resident to play (non-U.S. citizens can buy tickets in participating jurisdictions), but you must hold the physical ticket in most states to claim prizes. Check local lottery rules for purchase and redemption cutoffs.
A final note: the jackpot’s growth makes for headlines and a little communal thrill, but the math is merciless. Treat a ticket like entertainment first — hope second — and plan responsibly if you’re lucky enough to beat astronomical odds. The next drawing is Monday night; someone, somewhere, will be checking numbers with trembling hands.