Didn't Win Big in Powerball? Don't Throw Out That Ticket

If you didn't win the $579 million jackpot Wednesday night in the Powerball drawing, then be sure to check your tickets carefully.

You could still have won something. It may not be millions and millions, but it may be as little as $4.

The Powerball website lists the prizes along with nine ways to win.

Here's the breakdown and what you could win:

• Match all five numbers plus the Powerball gives you the jackpot
  
  
• Match all five numbers and no Powerball = $1 million ($2 million with Power Play)
  
  
• Match four numbers and the Powerball = $10,000 ($40,000 with Power Play)
  
  
• Match four numbers and no Powerball = $100 ($200 with Power Play)
  
  
• Match three numbers and the Powerball = $100 ($200 with Power Play)
  
  
• Match three numbers and no Powerball = $7 ($14 with Power Play)
  
  
• Match two numbers and the Powerball = $7 ($14 with Power Play)
  
  
• Match one number and the Powerball = $4 ($12 with Power Play)
  
  
• Match just the Powerball number = $4 ($12 with Power Play)

If you win the jackpot, you can choose 30 annual payments over 29 years, or a lump sum payment. If the winner chooses the annuity, the annual payment will be increased each year by the percentage set out in the Powerball game rules.

So, a winner in Wednesday's jackpot would get a gross payment $19.3 million each year. Then, take out 25 percent in federal taxes totaling $4,832,500. 

Pennsylvania has no state tax on lottery prizes. Therefore, the net payout would be $14,497,500 a year.

If you take the lump sum payment in Pennsylvania,  the net payout is $284,850,000.

Chances of winning the jackpot are 1 in 175,223,510. Overall chances of winning a prize are 1 in 31.85.

And those winning numbers again, in order of the drawing: 5, 16, 22, 23, 29 Powerball 6.