Powerball Jackpot Skyrockets Past $800 Million—Deadline, Winning Odds & How to Play Tonight

Record-breaking $1.70 Billion Powerball Jackpot: What to Know Before Saturday’s Drawing The Powerball jackpot has surged to an estimated $1.70 billion for the Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025 drawing after no ticket matched all six numbers on Wednesday night. If a single ticket hits the grand prize, the winner could take the cash option of roughly $770.3 million before taxes. Why This Jackpot Is Historic • It’s the second-largest Powerball prize ever and the third-largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history. • Only the $2.04 billion Powerball win (Nov. 7, 2022) and the $1.765 billion jackpot claimed in Oct. 2023 have been bigger. • If no one wins Saturday, the pot will grow again and could challenge the all-time record. Saturday’s Key Details • Drawing time: 10:59 p.m. ET at Florida Lottery headquarters in Tallahassee. • Ticket sales cut-off: Varies by state, typically 1–2 hours before the draw. • Cost to play: $2 per ticket; $1 extra for Power Play. • How to watch: Live on select local TV stations, the Powerball website, or the lottery’s YouTube channel. Latest Winning Numbers Recap Wednesday, Sept. 3 numbers: 8 - 12 - 47 - 56 - 62 and Powerball 23. Power Play was 3X. No ticket matched all six, sending the jackpot soaring. Odds and Payout Options • Odds of hitting the jackpot: 1 in 292.2 million. • Annuity option: 30 annual payments increasing 5 % each year, totaling the full advertised jackpot. • Lump-sum cash: Estimated $770.3 million; federal taxes of 24 % are withheld up front, and most states tax additional amounts. Tips to Play Responsibly 1. Set a budget before buying tickets. 2. Consider joining an office or family pool to boost chances without overspending. 3. Keep tickets safe and sign the back immediately. 4. Double-check numbers after every drawing. What Happens If You Win • Secure the ticket and consult a financial advisor and attorney. • You generally have 60 days in most states to choose cash or annuity. • Remain anonymous if your state allows; otherwise prepare for publicity. • Create a long-term plan for investing, tax obligations, and charitable giving. Where to Buy Tickets Powerball is played in 45 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Tickets can be purchased at authorized retailers; some states also offer official online sales or subscriptions. Bottom Line With $1.70 billion up for grabs, Saturday’s Powerball drawing is capturing national attention. Whether you’re chasing history or just enjoying the excitement, remember the long odds, play responsibly, and tune in at 10:59 p.m. ET to see if a new billionaire is born.