Powerball jackpot skyrockets to $295 million for October 18 drawing - Know how to play and buy tickets ahead of Saturday night's draw

The Powerball jackpot has soared to an estimated $295 million ahead of the October 18 drawing, sparking excitement among players nationwide. With no ticket matching all six numbers in Wednesday night’s draw, the grand prize continues to climb. According to powerball.com, the winner can choose between a $273 million 30-year annuity, with annual payments increasing by 5%, or a one-time lump sum of $138.1 million, both before taxes.

Lottery officials remind players to participate responsibly, noting the odds of hitting the jackpot remain just 1 in 292.2 million. Yet anticipation is high as hopeful players dream of life-changing winnings.

Powerball, played across multiple states, gives millions a chance to strike it big. Excitement has intensified after two tickets from Missouri and Texas shared a $1.787 billion jackpot on September 6 - the second-largest in US lottery history - ending a 41-drawing streak without a grand prize winner.


Powerball winning numbers for October 15

The winning numbers for October 15 (Wednesday): 10-13-28-34-47 and the Powerball is: 15. The Powerplay was 3X

When is the next Powerball drawing?

The next drawing will take place on Saturday, October 18. Drawings are held three times per week at approximately 10:59 PM ET every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

Deadline to buy Powerball tickets

The Powerball ticket purchase deadline varies by state, so one shouldn’t wait until the last minute. In New Jersey, sales close at 9:59PM on the day of the drawing, while in New York, the cutoff is 10PM.

How can one play Powerball?

Powerball tickets cost $2 each, with an optional Power Play for an additional $1, which can multiply non-jackpot prizes by up to 5x (except for the jackpot and Match 5), and up to 10x if the jackpot is under $150 million.

Each player chooses five numbers from 1 to 69 for the white balls and one number from 1 to 26 for the red Powerball. A quick pick option is also available by the lottery machine which randomly generates numbers.

Prizes range from $4 for matching only the Powerball to $1 million for matching all five white balls (except in California), and the jackpot for matching all six numbers.

How many states have Powerball?

Powerball is available in 45 states, along with Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, making it one of the most widely played lottery games in the United States.

How to buy Powerball tickets?

Powerball tickets can be bought in person at gas stations, convenience stores, grocery stores, and some airport terminals.

Alternatively, tickets can be purchased online through the Jackpocket app in select states: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington DC, and West Virginia.

The Jackpocket app lets players choose their game and numbers, place orders, view tickets, and collect winnings directly from their phone or home computer, providing a convenient digital alternative to in-person purchases.