If you’re staring at a crumpled slip of paper right now, you aren't alone. Millions of people spent their Saturday night the same way. The draw happened at the Florida Lottery studio in Tallahassee at 10:59 p.m. ET, and honestly, the tension was thick. We’re talking about a $179 million jackpot.
Most people just want the numbers. They want to know if they can quit their job on Monday.
The Winning Numbers for Saturday, January 17, 2026
The power ball numbers for saturday were 5, 8, 27, 49, 57 and the red Powerball was 14. The Power Play multiplier for this draw was 4x.
Did you win? Probably not the big one.
Official reports from the multi-state lottery association confirm there was no jackpot winner for this specific drawing. Because nobody matched all six numbers, the grand prize is rolling over. It’s heading toward an estimated $193 million for Monday's draw.
But wait. Check your ticket again.
While the jackpot stayed safe, two tickets—one in South Carolina and one in California—hit the "Match 5" prize. The South Carolina winner was particularly lucky; they added the Power Play option, which usually doubles the $1 million prize to $2 million. In California, prize amounts are parimutuel, meaning they fluctuate based on ticket sales, but that player is still looking at a seven-figure payday.
The Common Mistakes With Power Ball Numbers for Saturday
Most players focus entirely on the jackpot. It’s a mistake. You’ve actually got nine different ways to win something, and some of those prizes are easier to hit than you’d think.
For instance, if you just matched the red Powerball (14) and nothing else, you won $4. It isn't a fortune. It basically buys you two more tickets for Monday, but it’s better than a total loss.
Varying your check is key.
- Matching 4 white balls + the Powerball: That’s a $50,000 win.
- Matching 3 white balls + the Powerball: You get $100.
- Matching just the 5 white balls: You're a millionaire.
The odds of hitting the jackpot are roughly 1 in 292.2 million. Those are "get struck by lightning while winning an Oscar" type of odds. However, the overall odds of winning any prize are about 1 in 24.9. When you look at it that way, the game feels a lot more accessible.
Why the Jackpot is Growing So Fast
We are currently in a fascinating cycle. This current jackpot run started building after a massive $1.82 billion win back on Christmas Eve in Arkansas. That was the second-largest prize in the history of the game.
Since then, the pot has been reset and is steadily climbing.
People often ask why the "Cash Value" is so much lower than the advertised jackpot. For the Saturday, January 17 draw, the $179 million jackpot had a cash option of approximately $81.5 million. This isn't the lottery being "sneaky." It's just math. The $179 million figure is what you get if you take the 30-year annuity. The lottery invests the cash on hand, and it grows over three decades.
If you want the money today, you get the actual cash they have in the vault.
What to Do if Your Numbers Actually Matched
If you realized you’re holding one of those $50,000 or $1 million tickets, stop. Don't post a photo of it on Facebook.
First, sign the back of that ticket immediately. In most states, a lottery ticket is a "bearer instrument." This basically means whoever holds it, owns it. If you drop it at a gas station and someone else picks it up, they could theoretically claim your prize.
Next, check your state’s rules.
In Maryland, for example, players have 182 days to claim. In California, you have a full year for the jackpot but only 180 days for secondary prizes. Every state is a little different.
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If you’ve won a substantial amount, talk to a tax professional before you go to the lottery office. Uncle Sam is going to take a 24% federal withholding right off the top, and depending on where you live (looking at you, New York and New Jersey), the state will want its cut too.
Actionable Steps for the Next Draw
If Saturday wasn't your night, Monday is coming fast.
- Check the "Double Play" option: In many jurisdictions, you can pay an extra $1 to have your numbers run again in a separate drawing with a $10 million top prize.
- Verify the Power Play: The 4x multiplier from Saturday turned $100 prizes into $400. It’s often worth the extra buck if you aren't just jackpot hunting.
- Use the official app: Don't rely on third-party websites. Use the official lottery app for your state to scan your ticket. It eliminates human error.
- Pool with caution: If you're doing an office pool for the $193 million Monday draw, get everything in writing. A simple text thread confirming who paid and what the split is can save you a decade of lawsuits.
The next drawing is Monday, January 19, 2026. The jackpot is currently sitting at $193 million with a cash value of $87.9 million.