Secrets to winning Powerball ahead of $100m jackpot mega draw
With the nation’s second largest lottery prize in history on offer, millions of Australians are expected to buy a ticket in Thursday night’s gargantuan $100 million Powerball jackpot.
“Up to a third of adult Australians are expected to get an entry into the draw and queues are already forming outside lottery outlets,” The Lott spokeswoman Lauren Cooney said on Wednesday.
And while the superstitious players out there may already have their numbers picked for the draw, The Lott has revealed the hot and cold numbers from the past 16 months to help those deliberating over their ticket.
The breakdown on hot and cold Powerball numbers
From the main barrel, where seven balls from 35 are drawn, the Lott revealed 17 is the hottest number having been drawn 23 times over the 16-month period.
It has been drawn three more times than its nearest rival, the number 2 ball.
For the all important Powerball number, drawn from 20 balls, the numbers 3, 13 and 19 have all been drawn seven times.
“Players interested in trying their hand at choosing their numbers may mark ‘hot’ numbers in the hope they live up to their reputation of being drawn more often,” Ms Cooney said.
Yet it may be the case players want to avoid the most drawn numbers hoping those frequently remaining in the barrel will get their turn.
In the past 16 months, the number 12 has only been drawn seven times. The number 26 is next lowest with nine appearances.
For the Powerball, the number 1 has failed to appear at all while the number 18 just once.
For those who have no interest in choosing each individual number will be pleased to know a QuickPick entry, which randomly generates a player’s numbers, has won 50 per cent of Division One prizes this year.
Powerball states: NSW, Victoria and SA rule 2019
So far this year there have been eight Division One winners scooping a grand total of $316,709,904.
Three of those winners were in NSW, another three in Victoria and a further two in South Australia.
Despite being the third and fourth largest states by population, Queensland and WA are yet to have a winner this year.
“Perhaps tomorrow night is the night,” Ms Cooney said.
The ACT, Northern Territory and Tasmania are also without a winner this year.
Is the Powerhit ticket worth it?
While there has been no Division One winner over the last seven weeks, there has been 38 Division Two winners who missed out on the all important Powerball number.
With a Powerhit ticket, which costs $24, the Powerball number is guaranteed.
“While the Division Two winners did take home tens of thousands of dollars in prize money each, I am sure they are kicking themselves for not getting a Powerhit entry,” Ms Cooney said.
As the The Lott’s Bronwyn Spencer explained to Yahoo News Australia, the ticket is in fact 20 seperate tickets despite only showing one game on a player’s ticket.
The entry matches the same seven main barrel numbers with each of the 20 balls from the Powerball barrel.
So when a Powerhit ticket wins the Division One prize, it will also claim the Division Two prize 19 times with the remaining tickets that matched all seven main numbers but not the Powerball.
In July one lucky South Australian punter was the beneficiary of this, scooping a cool $1 million extra on top of his Division One prize.
“It’s the extra icing to the multi-million-dollar cake,” Ms Spencer said.
The Powerhit ticket is exactly the same cost as playing 20 individual games.
Where can Powerball tickets be bought?
Powerball tickets can be purchased online, via The Lott’s official app and from official outlets.
There are 4111 licensed lottery outlets across Australia, where a paper entry can be bought.
While less popular with older generations, playing online or via the app allows The Lott to immediately identify the winner.
Players of Powerball draw 1217 must ensure they have their tickets purchased before 7.25pm AEST on Thursday for the 8.30pm AEST draw.
The draw is televised on 7Two.
Winners playing online and on the app will be contacted and those with paper tickets can scan them with the app or take them to their nearest outlet to see if they have won.
If gambling is a problem for you go to Gambling Help Online or call 1800 858 858.
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