You’re sitting there on your couch, squinting at that tiny slip of thermal paper, and you realize you actually got one. One single white ball matches the screen. Then, the red one—the Powerball—matches too. Or maybe it’s just the red one. You start wondering if you should even bother checking the website or if you should just toss the ticket in the trash and move on with your Tuesday. Honestly, the rules are kinda confusing if you don't play every week.
So, does one number and the powerball win anything?
Yes. It absolutely does. But don't go quit your job just yet. While matching the Powerball is the "golden ticket" to at least getting your $2 back, the specific combination of how many white balls you hit alongside it determines if you're buying a steak dinner or just a candy bar.
The Reality of Matching One Number and the Powerball
Most people think you need a handful of numbers to see a return. That’s not how Powerball works. If you have one white ball and the red Powerball, you win $4.
Think about that for a second. The ticket cost you $2. You’ve doubled your money. It’s not a yacht, but it’s a win.
Now, if you have just the red Powerball and zero white balls, you still win $4. It feels a bit weird that matching an extra number doesn't increase the prize at that bottom tier, but that's the way the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) has structured the game for years. They want to keep those low-tier prizes consistent so people feel like they have a fighting chance.
The odds of hitting that 1 + 1 combo (one white ball and the Powerball) are roughly 1 in 92. When you compare that to the 1 in 292.2 million odds of hitting the jackpot, it starts to look pretty achievable. You’ll probably see this small win every few months if you're a regular player.
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Breaking Down the "Small" Wins
Let’s get into the weeds of the prize structure because it's easy to get lost.
If you managed to get two white numbers and the Powerball, the prize jumps to $7. Still small, right? But the odds drop significantly to 1 in 701. People often get frustrated here. They feel like three numbers total should be worth more. But the math is cold. The jump from $4 to $7 represents a shift in probability that most casual players don't really think about when they're standing at the gas station counter.
Here is how those lower tiers actually shake out:
Matching just the Powerball (0 white balls) gets you $4.
Matching 1 white ball plus the Powerball gets you $4.
Matching 2 white balls plus the Powerball gets you $7.
Matching 3 white balls without the Powerball also gets you $7.
Notice the pattern? The game is heavily weighted toward the red ball. That red ball is the multiplier for your sanity. If you miss the Powerball, you need at least three white balls just to see a single cent. Two white balls and no Powerball? That is a losing ticket. Worthless. Zero. It’s one of the most common "near-miss" frustrations in the game.
The Power Play Factor
Everything changes if you spent the extra dollar on the Power Play.
Let's say the multiplier drawn was 5x. That $4 win for matching one number and the powerball suddenly becomes $20. Now we're talking about a free lunch. If you hit the 2 + 1 combo ($7) with a 10x multiplier (which is only available when the jackpot is under $150 million), you’re looking at $70.
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I’ve seen people ignore their tickets because they "only got a couple numbers," completely forgetting they opted into the Power Play. Never do that. Always scan the barcode.
Why the Odds Feel So Steep
Powerball changed its matrix back in 2015. They increased the number of white balls to 69 and decreased the Powerball count to 26.
The goal was simple: make the jackpot harder to win so it grows to those billion-dollar amounts that dominate the news cycle. But they also wanted to make sure people won "something" more often. By doing this, they actually made the odds of winning any prize about 1 in 24.87.
When you ask does one number and the powerball win anything, you’re tapping into that 1-in-25 statistic. You are far more likely to win $4 than you are to win anything else. It’s the "hook" that keeps the game running.
What to Do With a Small Winning Ticket
If you’ve confirmed you have a winner, even a small one, you have a few options. Most people just hand the ticket back to the clerk and ask for two more tickets. It’s a cycle.
But if you’re smart, you’ll treat it like actual found money.
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- Check the expiration: Most states give you 90 to 360 days to claim. Don't let $4 or $7 rot in your glove box.
- Sign the back: Even for a $4 win, sign that ticket. If you drop it and someone else picks it up, it’s legally theirs unless your signature is on it.
- Use the app: Every state lottery has an official app now. You don't have to trust your eyes or a blurry PDF of results. Use the scanner. It takes two seconds and removes all human error.
Common Misconceptions About Powerball Numbers
I hear this all the time: "I got the Powerball number, but it was one of my white ball spots. Does that count?"
No.
The balls are drawn from two different drums. The white balls (1-69) come from one machine, and the red Powerball (1-26) comes from another. You cannot use a white ball number to substitute for the Powerball, and vice versa. They are completely separate entities.
Another big one is the order. People ask if the numbers have to be in the order they were drawn. Thankfully, no. The order on your ticket doesn't matter for the white balls. As long as the numbers match, you’re in the money.
Practical Steps for Your Next Ticket
Before the next drawing, keep these things in mind to make the process easier.
- Always Scan, Never Guess: Human eyes are terrible at pattern recognition under pressure. Use the lottery terminal or a mobile app to verify your "one number and the Powerball" win.
- Understand the Taxes: For a $4 or $7 win, you don't have to worry about the IRS. Generally, the threshold for tax reporting is $600. If you win more than that, the state is going to want its cut immediately.
- Set a Budget: It’s easy to chase the "one number" wins. Remember that the house always has the edge. Play for fun, not as a retirement plan.
If you’re holding a ticket with a single match and that red Powerball, go get your $4. It's a small victory, but in a game where the odds are usually stacked against you, a win is a win. Take the cash, buy a coffee, and enjoy the fact that you beat the math—at least for today.
Next Steps for Players
- Download your state's official lottery app immediately to scan your backlog of tickets.
- Check the "Power Play" multiplier for the specific date of your drawing to see if your $4 prize has grown.
- Verify the drawing date on your ticket, as many people accidentally check the wrong night's results.