If you woke up this morning hoping to see a new billionaire in the headlines, I’ve got some news that’s gonna be a bit of a letdown. Who won last night's Powerball? Basically, nobody. At least, not the big one. The Saturday, January 17, 2026, drawing came and went without a single soul matching all six numbers to claim that $179 million jackpot.
It's a bummer, I know. But while the grand prize remains untouched, a few people are still having a much better Sunday than the rest of us.
The winning numbers were 5, 8, 27, 49, 57, and the red Powerball was 14. If you played the Power Play, that multiplier was 4x.
The Million Dollar Near-Misses
Even though the jackpot rolled over, the "Match 5" winners are the real story from last night. We had one person in California who managed to match all five white balls. Because they didn't have the Powerball, they missed out on the $179 million, but they’re still walking away with a cool **$1 million**. Honestly, that’s a life-changing amount of money by any standard, even if it feels like a "consolation prize" in the world of multi-state lotteries.
South Carolina also saw some major action. One lucky ticket holder there matched four white balls plus the Powerball. Normally, that’s a $50,000 win. However, they were smart enough to spring for the Power Play, which quadrupled their winnings to **$200,000**.
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Over in New York, the lottery officials reported a couple of 3rd-place wins worth $50,000 each. It’s funny how we look at $50k and think "that's it?" when it's literally a year's salary for many people. Perspective is a weird thing when you're staring at numbers in the hundreds of millions.
Why the Jackpot is Growing Faster Now
Since nobody hit the top prize, the jackpot for Monday night is already jumping up to an estimated $193 million. The cash value—the amount you’d actually get if you took the lump sum—is sitting at about $87.9 million before the tax man takes his cut.
We’re seeing a bit of a "jackpot fatigue" cycle lately. Ever since that massive $1.82 billion win back in December in Arkansas, players have been a little more cautious. But as we creep closer to that $200 million mark, history tells us that ticket sales are going to start spiking again. People who don't usually play start thinking, "Why not?" and that's when the prize pool really starts to balloon.
The Tax Reality Nobody Likes to Talk About
If you did win that $193 million, you wouldn't actually see $193 million. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. If you take the cash option, you're looking at roughly $88 million. Then, the federal government takes a mandatory 24% off the top for any prize over $5,000.
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Then there are state taxes. If you’re in a state like California or Florida, you're in luck because they don't tax lottery winnings at the state level. But if you’re in New York? You’re looking at another chunk of change going to the state. It’s complicated, and honestly, if you ever find yourself holding a winning ticket, the first thing you should do—before even telling your mom—is hire a tax attorney.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Odds
You’ve heard the stat: your odds of winning the Powerball are 1 in 292.2 million.
To put that in perspective, you are more likely to be struck by lightning while being eaten by a shark. Okay, I made that specific one up, but the math is basically that brutal. Yet, people still play. Why? Because somebody eventually wins. We saw it in September when winners in Missouri and Texas split a massive pot, and we saw it again with the Arkansas billionaire last month.
The thing is, most players focus only on the jackpot. But there are actually nine different ways to win. You can win $4 just by matching the red Powerball. It’s not much, but it pays for your next two tickets.
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How to Prepare for the Next Drawing
Since who won last night's Powerball turned out to be "no one," all eyes are now on Monday, January 19. If you're planning on grabbing a ticket, here’s the smart way to do it:
- Check the Cut-off Times: Most states stop selling tickets about an hour or two before the drawing (10:59 p.m. ET). Don't be that person running into the gas station at 10:58 only to find the machine is locked.
- Sign the Back: If you buy a physical ticket, sign it immediately. In most states, a lottery ticket is a "bearer instrument," meaning whoever holds it owns it. If you lose an unsigned ticket and someone else finds it, they can technically claim the prize.
- Decide on Power Play: It costs an extra dollar. Last night, it turned a $50k win into $200k. If you're already spending $2, that extra buck is often worth the multiplier.
- Pool with Friends (Carefully): Offices love lottery pools. Just make sure you have a written agreement. Seriously. Nothing ruins a friendship faster than $100 million and no clear rules on who bought which ticket.
The next drawing is Monday night. Whether the jackpot rolls over again or someone finally hits it, the numbers will be drawn at the Florida Lottery studio in Tallahassee.
Keep your tickets in a safe place. Even if you didn't win the $179 million, you might be one of those people with a $100 or $50,000 ticket sitting on your nightstand. Check them carefully.
Next Steps for Players: Double-check your tickets using an official lottery app or at a licensed retailer. If you've won a substantial amount, sign the ticket, secure it in a safe or bank box, and consult with a financial advisor before claiming your prize at a regional lottery office.