News writer, Interviewer
Saturday night could change someone's life forever. The Powerball jackpot has climbed to $700 million. This marks the 11th-largest jackpot in the game's 33-year history.
When was the last time you saw a jackpot this big? It's been over a year since Powerball offered a prize of this magnitude.
The numbers that matter
Estimated jackpot: $700 million
Cash value: $316 million
Drawing date: Saturday, August 23, 10:59 p.m. ET.
Drawings since last win: 36
The jackpot has been rolling since May 31. That's when one lucky ticket in California claimed $204.5 million. Since then, no one has matched all six numbers.
What are your odds of joining history?
If someone wins Saturday's drawing, it would mark the fifth Powerball jackpot winner in 2025. The winner would also claim the largest Powerball prize in more than a year.
Think about it - 36 drawings without a winner. That's unusual, even for Powerball. But it's exactly what creates these massive jackpots that capture national attention.
Double Play: Your second chance
Don't overlook the Double Play option. For just $1 extra, you get another shot at matching your numbers. The separate drawing offers a top prize of $10 million.
Is it worth the extra dollar? That depends on your lottery strategy. But for many players, doubling their chances feels like smart insurance.
Recent Powerball winners
The Wednesday, August 20th drawing produced no jackpot winners, but several players still won big:
- Tennessee: One Match 5 + Power Play winner claimed $2 million
- Michigan and Oklahoma: Each had Match 5 winners earning $1 million
A Minnesota player also won $50,000 from a ticket purchased at Bill's Superette in Champlin. They matched four numbers plus the Powerball.
How does $700 million rank?
Saturday's Powerball jackpot claims the 11th spot in its history. Here's how it compares to the top winners:
The billion-dollar club:
- $2.04 billion (November 2022, California)
- $1.77 billion (October 2023, California)
- $1.59 billion (January 2016, California/Florida/Tennessee)
- $1.33 billion (April 2024, Oregon)
- $1.08 billion (July 2023, California)
The most recent record in Michigan was $842.4 million on January 1, 2024. The Breakfast Club, a Mid-Michigan lottery group, bought its winning ticket in Grand Blanc.
What happens next?
Saturday's drawing will determine if someone joins the exclusive club of Powerball jackpot winners. If no one wins, the jackpot will continue growing for the next drawing.
The question isn't whether someone will eventually win. It's when. And will that someone be you?
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