You know that feeling. You’re standing in line at the gas station, clutching a slip of paper that feels like it’s worth $500 million, only to realize you forgot to check the numbers after the Saturday night draw. It happens. We all get caught up in the "what if" of it all. People keep asking, was there any winners in the powerball, and honestly, the answer usually depends on whether you’re looking for the jackpot hero or just the guy down the street who won four bucks.
As of the most recent drawing on Saturday, January 17, 2026, the short answer is no—nobody hit the big one. The jackpot was sitting at a cool $418 million. Since no one matched all six numbers, that pot is rolling over. It's climbing. We are officially heading toward the half-billion-mark for the next drawing on Monday.
But saying there were "no winners" is kinda misleading. Thousands of people actually won something. According to the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL), over 700,000 tickets won prizes ranging from $4 to $1 million in this last run alone.
The Breakdown of Recent Powerball Winners
When people search for was there any winners in the powerball, they usually mean the life-changing, "I’m buying an island" kind of winner. This time around, the red Powerball stayed elusive. However, there were two "Match 5" winners. One ticket sold in Pennsylvania and another in California managed to nail all five white balls.
That Pennsylvania winner is taking home $1 million. The California winner? Well, California pays out prizes on a pari-mutuel basis, so their haul is actually $1.2 million this time because of the high ticket sales volume. It’s a weird quirk of state law that usually benefits the players there.
Did anyone use the Power Play? Yeah. One of the $50,000 winners in Florida had the 3x multiplier, turning their Tuesday morning into a $150,000 celebration. It's not the jackpot, but it’s definitely "quit your second job" money.
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Why the Jackpot Keeps Growing
The math is brutal. 1 in 292.2 million. Those are the odds of hitting the jackpot. To put that in perspective, you are statistically more likely to be struck by lightning while being eaten by a shark. Okay, maybe not that extreme, but it's close.
The reason the jackpot is ballooning right now is that we haven't seen a grand prize winner since the massive $700 million win back in late 2025. When the jackpot doesn't clear, the interest and ticket sales from the previous draw get rolled into the next one. This creates a snowball effect. More people buy tickets when the number looks "big," which pumps the jackpot even higher. It’s a cycle. A very profitable one for the states involved.
Common Misconceptions About Powerball Results
A lot of folks think the lottery is "due" for a winner. That’s not how probability works. Every single drawing is an independent event. The balls don't have a memory. They don't care that no one has won in three weeks.
Another big one? "Quick Picks are rigged."
Actually, about 70% to 80% of Powerball winners are Quick Picks. But—and this is a big but—that’s only because about 70% to 80% of people buy Quick Picks. The odds are the same whether you use your birthday or let the computer spit out random digits.
What Happens if You Actually Win?
Let's say you check the app and realize you’re the one. First, breathe. Seriously.
Most financial experts, like those at Vanguard or Charles Schwab, suggest the "Rule of Three":
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- Sign the back of the ticket (unless your state allows anonymous trusts).
- Take a photo of it.
- Put it in a safe or a bank deposit box.
Don't go on Facebook. Don't tell your cousin who's always asking for "loans." The first person you should call isn't the lottery office; it’s a tax attorney. The IRS is going to take a 24% federal withholding off the top immediately, and you’ll likely owe more when April rolls around. Then there are state taxes, unless you live in a place like Florida or Texas where they don't tax lottery winnings.
Regional Winners: Where the Luck Is Hitting
Lately, we’ve seen a weird cluster of wins in the Northeast. New Jersey and New York have been hotbeds for the $50,000 and $100,000 tiers.
But don't go driving across state lines thinking a New Jersey gas station is "luckier." It’s just a volume game. More people live there. More people play there. More tickets exist there. Therefore, more winners come from there.
If you're asking was there any winners in the powerball in your specific town, the best place to check is your state's lottery website. They usually post a "Where the Winning Tickets Were Sold" list by 9:00 AM the morning after a drawing.
Actionable Steps for the Next $450M+ Drawing
Since the jackpot survived the weekend, the hype for the next draw is going to be massive. If you’re planning on playing, here’s the smart way to do it without losing your head.
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Set a Strict Budget
The lottery is entertainment. It is not a retirement plan. Spend $2 or $4. Don't spend $100. Your odds of winning with one ticket are almost identical to your odds with fifty tickets. Mathematically, 1 in 292 million vs. 50 in 292 million is still, basically, zero.
Check the Secondary Prizes
Most people throw their tickets away if they don't see the jackpot numbers. Don't do that. You can win $4 just by matching the red Powerball. It’s not much, but it pays for your next ticket. Use the official Powerball app to scan your ticket. It’s foolproof.
Understand the Payout Options
If you do win, you have to choose between the 30-year annuity and the lump sum. Most people take the cash, which is usually about half of the advertised jackpot. For the upcoming $450 million draw, the cash value is estimated at roughly $215 million before taxes. The annuity, however, pays out the full $450 million over three decades. It’s a "safety vs. liquidity" debate that you’ll need a pro to help you solve.
Double Check the Draw Date
Powerball draws are Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 PM ET. If you bought a ticket on Sunday thinking you missed out, you’re actually early for the Monday night draw.
Keep your tickets in a consistent spot, like your wallet or a specific drawer. Every year, millions of dollars in secondary prizes go unclaimed because people simply forget to check their numbers or lose the physical slip. Don't let your "small" $50,000 win become a contribution to the state's general fund.