So, you’re standing there with a crumpled slip of paper in your hand, wondering if your life just changed forever. We’ve all been there. The Monday night Powerball drawing always has this specific kind of energy—it’s the start of the week, and the idea of quitting your job by Tuesday morning is a dream too good to ignore.
If you are looking for the official results from the January 12 drawing, here they are. The winning white balls were 5, 27, 45, 56, and 59. The red Powerball was 4.
Check them again. Seriously. People misread these things constantly because of the adrenaline.
Breaking Down What Were the Powerball Numbers for Monday Night
The jackpot for this specific Monday night drawing sat at a cool $137 million. That’s enough to buy a private island or, at the very least, never look at a grocery store price tag ever again. The cash value—the "I want it all right now" option—was estimated at $61.9 million.
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Nobody actually hit the big one.
That sounds like bad news, but it isn't for everyone. While the grand prize rolled over to $156 million for the following Wednesday, one person in Florida actually matched all five white balls. They didn't get the Powerball, but they still walked away with a **$1 million** prize. Honestly, a million dollars for missing one number is a pretty decent consolation prize.
The Power Play multiplier for Monday was 2x. If you were one of those savvy (or just lucky) players who spent the extra dollar for the Power Play, your non-jackpot winnings basically doubled.
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Why the Monday Drawing Feels Different
Powerball didn't always have a Monday night slot. For years, it was just Wednesdays and Saturdays. They added Mondays back in 2021 to help build the jackpots faster and, let's be real, to get more people playing more often.
It worked.
The odds of winning the jackpot are still 1 in 292.2 million. To put that in perspective, you are significantly more likely to be struck by lightning or to have a vending machine fall on you. But hey, somebody eventually wins, right? Just last Christmas Eve, an Arkansas resident nabbed a staggering $1.7 billion. That’s the kind of "new money" that changes an entire family tree for generations.
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State Specific Winners and the "Small" Prizes
Don't just look for the jackpot. Most people toss their tickets if they don't see all six numbers, but that's a mistake. In Ohio alone, thousands of people won smaller amounts on Monday night. We’re talking prizes ranging from $4 (matching just the Powerball) up to $200.
New York saw similar action. About 20 people in the Empire State matched four white balls. If they didn't have the Power Play, they took home $100. If they did? $200. It’s not retirement money, but it’s a nice dinner out.
What You Should Do If You Won
If you realize your numbers actually match, stop. Don't post it on Facebook. Don't call your boss and tell them what you really think of them.
- Sign the back of that ticket immediately. In most states, a lottery ticket is a "bearer instrument," meaning whoever holds it can claim it. If you lose an unsigned winning ticket, you're out of luck.
- Put it in a safe place. A fireproof safe or a bank safety deposit box is the move here.
- Call a lawyer and a financial advisor. You need a team. Dealing with that much cash involves taxes that would make a CPA’s head spin.
- Check your state's rules on anonymity. Some states let you stay secret, others (like California) force you to go public. Knowing this ahead of time helps you prepare for the inevitable "long-lost cousins" who will suddenly start calling.
The next drawing is already climbing. Since no one claimed the $137 million, the pot is growing. The cycle continues, and the dream stays alive for another few days.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check your ticket against the official numbers one more time: 5-27-45-56-59 and Powerball 4. If you matched at least the red Powerball, you've won at least $4. Take that winning ticket to a licensed lottery retailer to claim any prize under $600. For anything larger, visit your state's official lottery website to find the nearest claims center and schedule an appointment.