Have you ever wondered what it means when you play "2 draws" on Powerball? As an avid and knowledgeable Powerball player, let me walk you through everything you need to know about entering two back-to-back Powerball drawings with the same ticket.
How Powerball Works
First, a quick refresher on how the Powerball lottery works. Powerball is a multi-state lottery game currently offered in 45 states, as well as Washington DC, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
To play, you select five main numbers between 1 and 69, and one additional Powerball number between 1 and 26. During the drawings, which take place every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. EST, five white balls are drawn from one drum and the red Powerball is drawn from a second drum.
To win the jackpot, you must match all five white balls in exact order, as well as the red Powerball. Other smaller prizes can be won by matching fewer numbers. Powerball also offers a Power Play option for an extra $1 per ticket, which can multiply non-jackpot winnings up to 10 times.
What Do 2 Draws Mean?
When you purchase a Powerball ticket and choose the 2 draws option, it means your ticket will be valid for both the immediate upcoming drawing, as well as the following drawing after that.
So your ticket will be entered into two consecutive Powerball drawings, giving you two chances to win with the same set of numbers.
Here is an example:
- You buy a Powerball ticket on Saturday for that night‘s drawing with 2 draws marked.
- Your ticket will be valid for the Saturday night drawing at 10:59 PM EST.
- If you don‘t win on Saturday, your same ticket will automatically roll over and be entered into the next drawing on the following Monday night at 10:59 PM EST.
So with 2 draws, you get to play the same ticket twice!
Why Play 2 Draws on Powerball?
There are several advantages to entering your Powerball ticket into two consecutive draws:
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It doubles your overall chances of winning. With two drawings, you essentially have two shots to hit the right numbers.
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You don‘t have to purchase a new ticket for the second drawing. It‘s automatic and hassle-free.
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If you don‘t win the jackpot on the first drawing, you still have a chance to win it on the second drawing.
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You could win different prize amounts on each of the two draws.
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If you tend to forget to buy tickets, 2 draws guarantees you entry into the next drawing without having to remember to buy a new ticket.
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It‘s more convenient and can save you time from having to buy and fill out a new ticket for the second draw.
How to Purchase Tickets with 2 Draws
When purchasing Powerball tickets in person at lottery retailers, simply tell the clerk you would like to play 2 draws, and they can print your ticket with the 2 draws option.
If purchasing online, you will see the choice for "Number of Draws" or "Advance Draws" when placing your number selections. Choose 2 to have your same numbers entered into the next drawing automatically.
The cost is $2 per play, multiplied by 2 draws. So a 2 draw Powerball ticket costs $4 total.
State laws regulate the maximum number of advance draws allowed. Most states permit anywhere from 2 draws to up to 10 draws in advance.
Can You Win on Both Draws?
Yes, it‘s absolutely possible to win prizes on both the first and second draws when you enter 2 consecutive Powerball drawings.
Your numbers have the same probability of being picked on both draws. Here are some real examples:
- In 2020, a $50,000 winner in Minnesota won their prize on the second draw.
- In 2021, a Pennsylvania player won $150,000 on the second draw.
- In Florida, a $1 million prize was claimed on the first draw of a 2 draw ticket.
As you can see, significant prizes can be claimed on either the first or second drawing with a 2 draw ticket!
How Does the Power Play Work with 2 Draws?
When you add the Power Play option for an extra $1 per play, it can multiply any non-jackpot prize you win by up to 5x, 7x or even 10x!
Here‘s how it works with 2 draw tickets:
- The Power Play applies to both drawings at once when you play 2 draws
- If your numbers win on the first draw, your Power Play multiplier will apply to that drawing
- If you don‘t win the first draw, and then match numbers on the second draw, the Power Play can increase that prize
- It essentially gives you two chances for your prizes to be multiplied!
One thing to note is that the Power Play only applies to instant prizes under $1 million. It does not increase the jackpot amount. But it can still result in some nice boosts to lower tier wins!
Can You Still Win if You Only Match the Powerball?
With a 2 draw ticket, if you match only the Powerball number and no other numbers on either draw, you can still win a prize!
Matching just the red Powerball wins you $4. So even if you don‘t hit any other numbers, you can still win by matching the Powerball on either draw.
What Happens if There‘s No Jackpot Winner After 2 Draws?
If no ticket matches all six winning numbers on either of your two draws, then the jackpot simply rolls over to increase the jackpot for the next drawing.
This is exciting for players, as rollover jackpots can grow into the hundreds of millions of dollars before someone finally wins! Just because you played 2 draws does not mean the jackpot is guaranteed to be won. Like any drawing, it‘s still possible for no winner to hit the jackpot on either draw.
Biggest Jackpots Won with 2 Draw Tickets
While uncommon, there have been some monumental jackpots won by players who purchased 2 draw Powerball tickets:
- $699.8 million – Won in California on the first draw of a 2 draw ticket in 2021.
- $487 million – Won in New Hampshire on the second draw of a 2 draw ticket in 2016.
- $564.1 million – Won in Arizona on the second draw of a 2 draw ticket in 2018.
As you can see from these mega jackpot stories, 2 draw tickets absolutely can deliver life-changing fortunes!
Tips for Playing 2 Draws
If you want to try your luck with a 2 draw Powerball ticket, here are my top tips:
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Purchase early – Buy your 2 draw ticket at least a day before the first drawing to ensure your ticket is processed in time.
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Think ahead – If there are two drawings with particularly large jackpots coming up, play your 2 draws for those dates.
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Check your ticket – Look up the winning numbers after the first draw to see if you won smaller prizes before the second draw occurs.
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Try Power Play – Spend the extra $1 per play to increase your non-jackpot winnings across the 2 drawings.
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Play responsibly – Only spend what you can afford to lose, and don‘t go overboard chasing a jackpot.
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Know the limits – Review your state‘s maximum number of advance draws allowed so you don‘t go over the limit.
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Have fun – 2 draws gives you twice the entertainment, so enjoy the excitement!
Weighing the Pros and Cons of 2 Draws
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Double your odds of winning | Have to pay double the cost ($4 instead of $2 per ticket) |
| Chance to win both drawings | Jackpot could roll over both drawings |
| Don‘t need to buy a ticket for the second draw | Still only have 1 in 292 million jackpot odds |
| Win prizes on the first and second draws | Numbers could come up after your 2 draws |
| Automatically entered into second draw | Less budget for other tickets/plays |
Powerball Number Matching Probabilities
Your overall odds are better when you get two chances with the same numbers. But the probabilities stay the same for each individual drawing.
Here are the odds of winning with various number matches:
| Match | Odds |
|---|---|
| 5 white balls + Powerball | 1 in 292,201,338 |
| 5 white balls only | 1 in 11,688,053.52 |
| 4 white balls + Powerball | 1 in 913,129.18 |
| 4 white balls only | 1 in 36,525.17 |
| 3 white balls + Powerball | 1 in 14,494.11 |
| 3 white balls only | 1 in 579.76 |
| 2 white balls + Powerball | 1 in 701.33 |
| 1 white ball + Powerball | 1 in 91.98 |
| Powerball only | 1 in 38.32 |
With two draws, you essentially get two chances at each of these probabilities, which is better than only having one drawing.
The Bottom Line on 2 Draws
While winning the jackpot is a long shot even with multiple draws, having two chances with the same Powerball numbers can definitely improve your overall odds and chances in the game.
If you want the convenience of automatic entry into the following drawing or enjoy playing with a single set of lucky numbers twice, then Powerball‘s 2 draw option is a fun and easy way to mix up your lottery play.
Whether you decide to go for the double jackpot chance or not, I hope this guide gave you a helpful overview of how 2 draws works! Now you can play the option like a pro.
As always, be sure to play responsibly and have fun!
