Thursday Powerball Guide

The Thursday Powerball would first seem as a hard lottery game to win in. However, using good betting strategies and a little luck, the game would seem a lot easier. This Thursday Powerball Guide will help players in determining the proper betting strategies. It will also discuss the primary rules of the game and the different modes available for play.

To play Thursday Powerball, players must select 5 numbers ranging from 1 to 45. Then, they are also asked to choose a single number from a different batch of 1 to 45 which will become their Powerball digit. When the draws are held, players should match their 5 chosen numbers and their Powerball digits to the week's official winning numbers. To help the players maximize their bets, the Thursday Powerball lottery game allows various betting methods. The Standard entry lets players choose 5 numbers and a Powerball digit. They can even let a computer choose the numbers for them via the Autopick option. The odds for getting the right Powerball digit can be significantly reduced by selecting a Powerhit box while placing a bet. The Powerhit box ensures the player that he or she gets that week's Powerball digit.

Players can also use System options wherein they can bet in more than 5 numbers for a single entry. Up to 20 numbers can be chosen using this option. Yet, the cost increases per additional number since the odds for winning are higher. The ratio of getting a Division 1 or jackpot prize is 4,581,596:1 when using a Standard entry. Players who wish to play in succeeding weeks can use a Multiweek entry. Bets can be placed for 5 or 10 weeks, depending on how the person wishes to play. There is also a Thursday Powerball side game called Super 66 which lets winning players gain extra cash for a minimal fee.

When Can I Play Powerball?

Every week. The Powerball's draw time differs, depending on the state. For example:

• For NSW Lotteries and its resellers, the draw happens weekly at 8:30pm (AEDT).
• For Tattersalls and Golden Casket, the draw is at 7:30pm (6:30pm during DST), but the results are generally available by 9:00pm (AEST).

To be sure, check your lottery ticket to see when your game is drawn. Draw close times is pretty much the same for most states: Thursday at 7:30pm. For SA Lotteries, which covers South Australia, the draw closes at 7pm. Oz Lotteries, an NSW Lotteries reseller, closes at 6:30pm (AEDT).

How to Play Powerball

1. Buy a Powerball ticket.
   • Reminder: Prices of Powerball tickets vary, depending on the state lottery. For instance:
     • Tattersalls has its own detailed price list.
     • So does Golden Casket.
     • See the Lotterywest price list here.
     • The SA Lotteries price list can be viewed here.
     • The NSW Lotteries price list is shown here.
2. You can either or select your own numbers or ask the retailer or website for randomly generated numerals.
3. Like other draws in Australia, there are several ways to play Powerball:
   • First is the "standard" way:
     • Select five regular numbers from 1 to 45
     • Choose and a sixth number, your Powerball, also from 1 to 45.
     • The lottery company will draw five winning regular numbers, and then draw the winning Powerball from a separate machine that contains another 45 balls numbered 1 to 45.
     • If you match the right combination of numbers, you win Powerball!
   • The second option is playing multi-week entries for other days of the week, using the same numbers for several weeks at a time.
   • The third option is "systems entry", which lets you choose more numbers per game to increase your chances of winning.

Numbers Required

As promised earlier, here are the chances of winning Powerball, split into seven "divisions":

History

Powerball's first draw happened on Thursday, May 23, 1996. The game is managed by Tattersalls and syndicated to all states. It's based on the titular U.S. lottery, but there are several major differences, such as:

• The American version only has 39 Powerballs to choose from, while the Australian has 45.
• Prizes are given in lump sum in Australia; American winnings are paid in instalments each year.
• American prizes are taxable, while Australian prizes are tax-free.

Powerball provides somewhat better odds when it comes to winning because of its seven divisions (more on this later), but its top division is much more difficult to win.

Fun Fact

Powerball's largest prize so far is AUD80 million, won and split between two contestants on July 30, 2009.