Checking your ticket after a big draw is a specific kind of adrenaline rush. You’re squinting at those little rows of numbers, heart thumping, basically praying that this is the one that lets you quit your job. Well, if you played for the most recent drawing on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, I’ve got some news.
Nobody hit the big one.
The $156 million jackpot went unclaimed. It’s kinda wild how we get used to seeing these massive numbers, but $156 million is still "buy-your-own-island" money. Since no one matched all six numbers—6, 24, 39, 43, 51, and the Powerball 2—the pot is rolling over. For the next drawing on Saturday, January 17, 2026, the jackpot is climbing to an estimated $179 million.
Who Won Latest Powerball Prizes (Even Without the Jackpot)
Even though the grand prize stayed in the vault, some people are waking up a whole lot richer today. The Powerball isn't just a "winner-take-all" game, and that's something people often forget when they’re tossing their ticket in the trash in frustration.
In the January 14 drawing, the luckiest players were actually in Texas and Tennessee. Two tickets sold in Texas matched all five white balls, missing only the red Powerball. Those players are now $1 million richer.
Tennessee had an even bigger win. One ticket there also matched five white balls, but because they opted for the Power Play—which was 2x last night—their prize doubled to $2 million. Honestly, it’s the best $1 they ever spent.
Down in the lower tiers, the wins were spread all over. Ohio alone saw thousands of winners, though most of those were for smaller amounts like $4, $7, or $200. It’s not a retirement fund, but it’ll cover dinner.
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The Massive $1.8 Billion Ghost in Arkansas
While everyone is focused on the $179 million currently up for grabs, there is a much bigger story looming in the background. We have to talk about Cabot, Arkansas.
On Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025, someone bought a ticket at a Murphy USA gas station near the Walmart in Cabot. That ticket matched every single number for a staggering $1.817 billion jackpot.
As of January 17, 2026, nearly a month later, nobody has come forward.
The town is basically vibrating with gossip. People are looking at their neighbors differently. They’re checking to see who suddenly has a new truck or who has been "sick" and away from work for two weeks. House Speaker Brian Evans, who represents Cabot, says he gets asked if he's the winner every time he goes to the grocery store.
The winner has 180 days from the drawing to claim the money. That gives them until June 22, 2026. In Arkansas, you can remain anonymous for three years, which is a huge deal for someone suddenly worth almost two billion dollars. Most experts think the winner is currently hunkered down with a team of lawyers and financial advisors, which is exactly what you should do.
What You Need to Know for the January 17 Drawing
If you’re planning to jump in for the $179 million draw tonight, here is the breakdown of what's on the table. The cash option—which is what most people actually take—is sitting at approximately $80.8 million.
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That’s the amount you get if you want the money right now, before Uncle Sam takes his cut.
If you go for the annuity, you get the full $179 million paid out in 30 installments over 29 years. Most winners avoid this because they want the "lump sum" to invest immediately, but the annuity actually protects you from spending it all in one go.
Recent Winning Numbers to Keep an Eye On
I’m not saying these numbers are "due," because the lottery is entirely random, but it’s interesting to see what’s been popping up lately.
- January 14, 2026: 6, 24, 39, 43, 51, Powerball: 2 (Power Play: 2x)
- January 12, 2026: 5, 27, 45, 56, 59, Powerball: 4 (Power Play: 2x)
- January 10, 2026: 5, 19, 21, 28, 64, Powerball: 14 (Power Play: 3x)
- January 7, 2026: 15, 28, 57, 58, 63, Powerball: 23 (Power Play: 2x)
If you notice a lot of high numbers (in the 50s and 60s) lately, you aren't imagining things. The number 5 has also made quite a few appearances this month.
The Logistics of Winning
Let's say you actually beat the 1 in 292.2 million odds. What then?
First, sign the back of that ticket immediately. It is a "bearer instrument," meaning whoever holds it owns it. If you lose an unsigned winning ticket, you’re basically handing a fortune to whoever finds it.
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Next, don’t tell anyone. Not even your cousin who "needs a break."
The first person you should call isn't the lottery office; it’s a tax attorney. You’re going to be hit with a 24% federal withholding tax right off the bat, and since the top tax bracket is 37%, you’ll likely owe a lot more when tax season rolls around. Then there are state taxes, unless you’re lucky enough to live in a state like Florida, Texas, or Washington where they don't tax lottery winnings.
Your Next Steps
If you’re holding a ticket from Wednesday, go to the official Powerball website or use your state’s lottery app to scan it. Don’t trust your eyes—it’s too easy to misread a digit.
If you want to play for the $179 million tonight, remember that ticket sales usually cut off at least an hour before the 10:59 p.m. ET drawing. Check your local state rules, as some places stop sales even earlier.
The most important thing? Keep it fun. The odds of winning are astronomically low, so only spend what you’re comfortable losing.
Verify your old tickets. Dig through your glove box or that "everything" drawer in the kitchen. Millions of dollars in smaller prizes go unclaimed every year because people only check for the jackpot.
Consult a professional. If you are the mystery Arkansas winner or you hit a secondary prize like the $1 million winners in Texas, hire a fiduciary financial advisor. This is a person who is legally required to act in your best interest, which is exactly what you need when you're suddenly the most popular person in your zip code.