With NO players matching all six Powerball numbers in Wednesday's lottery (November 2nd), the JACKPOT HAS NOW RISEN TO AN ASTRONOMICAL $1.5 BILLION! Currently, this is the second-largest jackpot in history! The biggest Powerball prize was $1.586 billion paid to three winners in 2016. This week's dollar amount is so incredibly high because the last time anyone hit all six numbers was in August of 2022. The next drawing is this Saturday night (November 5th), so time to get your game face on and mastermind those winning numbers! Okay, so maybe that's not entirely possible, but it's worth a try, and in the end, it will only cost you a few dollars per ticket unless you're accustomed to buying a hundred dollars worth or more at a time.

Regardless of being viewed as a game of strategy or luck, millions of enthusiasts will undoubtedly head to their favorite store to purchase their next Powerball Lotto tickets. Some people have numbers they meticulously play while others prefer the quick-pick option. I like to do both. The numbers I select, to no avail "so far," are a combination of my family's ages and birthdates. Then when I'm feeling superstitious, I go the route of the effortless quick-pick.

Maybe you have a few winning numbers from Wednesday night, that you still need to check. The numbers drawn (November 2nd) were 22, 11, 60, 2, 35, and the Powerball was 23. The Power Play was 2X

Lottery officials estimate that the odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292 million. So, even though we all might have a better chance of getting struck by lightning, it's still exciting to get your game face on when choosing those magic numbers and waiting for the big drawing. Hypothetically, let's say a co-worker won the big prize of $1.5 billion on Saturday. First, they would recall just how nice you've been to them over the years and give you a generous percentage of the dough, right? Okay, maybe not, but the winner would have to decide if they want to receive annual payments for 29 years or take the one lump sum. Lottery officials have indicated that most winners like to take their winnings entirely upfront. In the latter case, $1.5 billion holds a cash value of $745.9 million. Most people, including myself, would be comfy with even a "tenth of a tenth of a tenth" of that!

Another reason to have your game face on is to prepare for the outcome. Say, for instance, you win the lottery; financial experts advise you to immediately contact a tax accountant and a tax attorney to figure out a plan, including what payout option to take. Awe, yes, so much money and rules, yet such little time.

Furthermore, during your lottery adventures, be careful of scams. Powerball officials say that lottery headquarters will NEVER try to reach you by email, phone, or social media to tell you you've won something. So, do not give out payments or personal information to such sources. The only exception, according to Powerball, might be if you directly entered an official promotion online. Otherwise, remain diligent and mindful.

There were no takers for local lotteries such as Montana Cash on Wednesday (Nov. 2nd), so it's back to the drawing board this Saturday. Montana Cash is currently worth $210,000! As for Montana Millionaire tickets, it's a case of "if you snooze, you lose." The 280,000 tickets available for that drawing at the end of December SOLD OUT in just TWO DAYS, beginning November 1st. I'm one of the snoozers who didn't act on getting those tickets! Again, all about getting your game face on, perhaps. So, GOOD LUCK to all players and let us know what you would do if you won all that money!

 

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