Massive Powerball Jackpot: Deadline To Buy Tickets In California

CALIFORNIA — The jackpot in Wednesday night’s Powerball drawing is an estimated $630 million, with an estimated cash payout of $448.4 million. To get in on it, folks in California will have to buy the tickets at least one hour before the drawing, which takes place at 7:59 p.m. Pacific Time.

In California, tickets for Monday night’s drawing must be purchased by 7 p.m.

No one won Monday night’s jackpot, making it the 39th drawing in a row without a winner.

The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million, regardless of how many people play the game. To win the jackpot, a player must match all five white balls and the red Powerball number.

Tickets cost $2. Winning in California works a bit differently from other states.

"In California, POWERBALL prize amounts are pari-mutuel, will vary depending on ticket sales and number of winners and will differ from the fixed prizes shown on the POWERBALL website," according to the California Lottery.

Essentially, here in the Golden State, payouts will change from draw to draw, depending on how many people play and win.

Elsewhere, players have 9 ways to win:

• The Powerball only: $4 (1 in 38 odds)
• One number plus the Powerball: $4 (1 in 91 odds)
• Two numbers plus the Powerball: $7 (1 in 701 odds)
• Three numbers: $7 (1 in 579 odds)
• Three numbers plus the Powerball: $100 (1 in 14,494 odds)
• Four numbers: $100 (1 in 36,525 odds)
• Four numbers plus the Powerball: $50,000 (1 in 931,129 odds)
• Five numbers: $1 million (1 in 11,688,053 odds)
• Five numbers, plus the Powerball: Jackpot amount (1 in 292,201,338 odds)

Lottery officials have advice for whoever has the winning numbers:

1. Sign your winning ticket. Write your full name and signature on the back of the winning ticket. If you lose your ticket, having your name on the ticket means that no one else will be able to cash it in.
2. Keep your winning ticket in a safe place. Take steps to protect your winning lottery ticket by putting it somewhere safe where it won't accidentally get thrown out.
3. Get legal and financial advice. It might be wise to talk to some experienced professionals such as a lawyer, an accountant, or an investment adviser to help manage your winnings. The winning Powerball numbers are drawn every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. Eastern time, with Powerball results usually posted within 5 minutes.

Winners in California, Florida and Tennessee split the largest Powerball prize in history, a $1.586 billion jackpot, in January 2016.

SEE ALSO: California's Top 12 Lottery Winners In 2021: Making Millionaires