You’re standing at the gas station counter, staring at the little slip of paper in your hand. The drawing was last night. You check the numbers on your phone and realize you only got one. Just one. Most people immediately crumple that ticket into a ball and toss it into the nearest trash can. Honestly, that’s usually a mistake. Depending on which ball you actually hit, those powerball numbers one matching your ticket could actually be worth a few bucks—or at the very least, enough to buy your next round of plays.
Let's be real: nobody plays Powerball hoping to win four dollars. We want the hundreds of millions. But the way the prize structure is set up, "one matching number" isn't a single category. There is a massive difference between matching the red ball and matching a white one.
The Big Distinction: Red vs. White
If you matched exactly one white ball and nothing else, I have some bad news. You won exactly zero dollars. In the world of Powerball, the white balls (numbered 1 through 69) don’t pay out unless you hit at least three of them, or a combination of white balls plus the red Powerball.
However, if that one number you matched is the red Powerball, you’re a winner. It doesn't matter if all five of your white numbers were completely off. Matching just the Powerball (0+1) nets you a $4 prize.
It’s a tiny victory, sure. But considering a standard ticket costs $2, you’ve essentially doubled your money.
What about 1 White Ball + 1 Red Powerball?
This is where people get confused. If you have a total of two powerball numbers one matching from the white set and then the red Powerball itself, the prize stays at $4. It feels like you should get more for that extra white ball, but the logic follows a specific tier system.
- Just the Powerball (Red): $4
- 1 White + Powerball: $4
- 2 White + Powerball: $7
So, whether you hit 0 white balls or 1 white ball alongside that red one, your take-home is the same. It’s not until you hit that second white ball that the prize jumps up to $7.
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The Odds Are Weirder Than You Think
You’d assume the odds of matching just the Powerball would be 1 in 26, right? There are 26 red balls in the hopper. Simple math.
Actually, the official odds of winning the $4 prize for matching only the Powerball are 1 in 38.32.
Why the gap? Because to win the "Powerball only" prize, you have to miss all five white balls. If you happened to hit the Powerball and one or two white balls, you’ve moved into a different (or technically the same) prize tier. The "1 in 38" statistic specifically accounts for the probability of getting the red ball while failing at everything else.
If you include the "1 White + Powerball" scenario, the odds are 1 in 91.98. When you add all these "small" win possibilities together, the overall odds of winning any prize in Powerball are about 1 in 24.87.
How Power Play Changes the Math
If you’re the type who spends the extra dollar for the Power Play option, those powerball numbers one matching become a lot more interesting.
The Power Play is a multiplier (2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x) that is drawn separately. If you won that $4 prize by matching the Powerball, and the multiplier drawn was 10x, your $4 ticket suddenly becomes a $40 win.
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I’ve seen plenty of people forget they checked the Power Play box. They see "one number" and think it’s not worth the drive back to the store. But $40 is a nice dinner or a full tank of gas. It's always worth scanning the ticket at a self-service machine just to be certain.
The 10x Multiplier Rule
There’s a catch with that 10x multiplier, though. It’s only available when the advertised jackpot is $150 million or less. Once the jackpot enters "stratospheric" territory—which it often does these days—the 10x multiplier is removed from the pool. In those cases, the highest you can get is 5x.
Double Play: A Second Chance
Some states (like Pennsylvania, Florida, and Colorado) offer a feature called Double Play for an extra $1. This uses your same numbers in a separate drawing held right after the main one.
The prize for powerball numbers one matching in the Double Play drawing is slightly different:
- Matching just the Powerball in Double Play wins you $7.
- Matching 1 White + Powerball in Double Play wins you $10.
If you're playing in a state that offers this, you essentially have two chances to hit that one red ball. It’s a niche way to play, but for people who hate walking away empty-handed, it changes the "break-even" math significantly.
Common Misconceptions to Avoid
I've heard people swear that the order of the numbers matters. It doesn't.
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The five white balls can be in any order on your ticket compared to how they are drawn. Only the red Powerball is specific to its own drum. If the winning white numbers are 5, 12, 22, 34, 60 and your ticket says 60, 1, 2, 3, 4—you still matched one white ball.
Another common myth is that matching "the first number" is a win. Again, no. The "one number" win only applies to the red ball. If you match the first white ball drawn and nothing else, you have a piece of trash in your hand, not a winning ticket.
Taxes and Cashing In
If you do win that $4 or $7 prize, don't worry about the IRS. Lottery winnings are taxable, but most states don't bother with withholdings for amounts under $600. You can usually just walk into any authorized retailer, scan the ticket, and the clerk will hand you the cash right there.
Just don't wait too long. Depending on your state, tickets expire anywhere from 90 days to one year after the drawing. In places like New Mexico, you only have 90 days. In California or New York, you usually have a full year.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Ticket
Stop throwing your "losers" away immediately. Instead, develop a quick habit to ensure you aren't leaving money on the table:
- Download the App: Most state lotteries (like the CA Lottery or the TX Lottery) have official apps. You can use your phone's camera to scan the barcode. It takes two seconds and removes all human error.
- Check the Red Ball First: When looking at the results, look at the Powerball first. If you hit it, you've won something. Period.
- Verify the Power Play: If you see you matched the Powerball, check the multiplier for that drawing. It’s the difference between a cup of coffee and a night out.
- Sign the Back: Even for a $4 winner, sign the back of that ticket. If you lose it and someone else finds it, it's technically theirs until your signature is on it.
Winning the jackpot is a 1 in 292 million long shot. But matching that one red ball? It happens to thousands of people every single Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Check your tickets. You might be surprised.