Powerball jackpot climbs to an estimated $850 million for the Aug. 27 drawing, with a cash option of about $383.7 million, as players in California and across the nation chase one of the game’s biggest prizes.
The drawing is set for 7:59 p.m. PT / 10:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 27. Powerball drawings are broadcast live on the official Powerball website from the Florida Lottery draw studio in Tallahassee, airing three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
How to play Powerball
– Players choose five white-ball numbers from 1 to 69 and one red Powerball number from 1 to 26.
– You can either pick the numbers yourself on a play slip or let the lottery terminal generate quick picks.
– A single Powerball play costs $2. In Idaho and Montana, the price is $3 per play because Power Play is bundled with the game there, which can multiply non-jackpot prizes.
– Powerball is offered in 45 states, plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Odds of winning
– Grand prize (Match five white balls + Powerball): 1 in 292,201,338
– $1 million prize (Match five white balls): 1 in 11,688,053.52
– $50,000 prize (Match four white balls + Powerball): 1 in 913,129.18
– $100 prize (Match four white balls): 1 in 36,525.17
– $100 prize (Match three white balls + Powerball): 1 in 14,494.11
– $7 prize (Match three white balls): 1 in 579.76
– $7 prize (Match two white balls + Powerball): 1 in 701.33
– $4 prize (Match one white ball + Powerball): 1 in 91.98
– $4 prize (Match Powerball): 1 in 38.32
Top Powerball jackpots
Powerball’s biggest prizes include:
– $2.04 billion: Nov. 2, 2022, California
– $1.765 billion: Oct. 11, 2023, California
– $1.586 billion: Jan. 13, 2016 (California, Florida, Tennessee)
– $1.326 billion: April 6, 2024 (Oregon)
– $1.08 billion: July 19, 2023 (California)
– $850 million (estimated): Aug. 27, 2025
– $842.4 million: Jan. 1, 2024 (Michigan)
– $768.4 million: March 27, 2019 (Wisconsin)
– $758.7 million: Aug. 23, 2017 (Massachusetts)
– $754.6 million: Feb. 6, 2023 (Washington state)
Powerball in California
California is a perennial hotspot for lottery participation. The excitement around Powerball surged in 2024 after record jackpots and notable wins. A single ticket sold in Altadena secured the historic $2.04 billion prize—the largest in U.S. lottery history. In 2024, California’s total lottery sales reached about $9.2 billion, remaining among the top states nationwide behind New York and Florida.
What this means for players
With a jackpot of this size, ticket sales typically surge, and many players consider Powerball a once-in-a-lifetime shot. While the odds of hitting the grand prize are extraordinarily long, the possible payout has broad appeal. If you’re playing, remember to contribute responsibly and only spend what you can afford to lose. Multi-ticket entries or group pools are common ways players try to improve odds, but even then, the probability remains the same for each individual entry.
Summary
The Aug. 27 Powerball drawing offers an eye-popping estimated jackpot of $850 million (cash option about $383.7 million), a reminder of why the game continues to captivate players in California and across the country. The Wednesday drawing follows the established schedule of live broadcasts from Tallahassee, with standard rules, odds, and a price point of $2 per play (or $3 in Idaho and Montana with Power Play). California’s strong lottery culture and recent record prizes underscore why Powerball remains a national favorite, even as the odds of winning stay steep.
Additional note
If you’re planning to try your luck, consider newer players’ tips like buying smarter by avoiding multiple identical tickets in quick succession and keeping expectations grounded. And, as always, play responsibly.