POWERBALL© is one of the most well-known draw games offered at the West Virginia Lottery. With scheduled drawings every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, you can try your chances frequently. But there’s an optional add-on called POWER PLAY®—a feature that gives you the opportunity to multiply certain non-jackpot prizes while trying your chances in the POWERBALL drawings.
Let’s explore how this optional add-on works and whether it might be worth adding to your ticket.
What exactly is POWER PLAY®?
POWER PLAY® is essentially a prize multiplier that applies to non-jackpot winnings in POWERBALL©. For an additional $1 per play (making your total $3 instead of the standard $2), you gain access to potential prize multipliers that have the potential to increase secondary winnings.
During each POWERBALL© drawing, after the main numbers are selected, a separate drawing determines which POWER PLAY® multiplier will apply. This multiplier is randomly selected from a pool that includes:
- 2× multipliers (the most common)
- 3× multipliers
- 4× multipliers
- 5× multipliers
- 10× multipliers (only available under specific circumstances)
What can you actually win?
The effect of POWER PLAY® on potential winnings can be substantial. For example, matching four white balls plus the POWERBALL© typically wins $50,000. With a 5× POWER PLAY® multiplier, that same match would be worth $250,000.
The second-tier prize
One thing to note about POWER PLAY® is that it involves the second-tier prize (matching all five white balls but missing the POWERBALL©). This prize is always fixed at $2 million with POWER PLAY®, regardless of which multiplier is drawn.
Without POWER PLAY®, this prize tier pays $1 million. So even though the multiplier doesn’t apply as it does with other tiers, you’re still doubling your potential winnings for this specific prize level.
When does the 10× multiplier appear?
The coveted 10× multiplier – capable of turning a $50,000 win into $500,000 – isn’t always available. It only enters the selection pool when the advertised jackpot is $150 million or less.
When this condition is met, the multiplier pool includes:
- 1 × 10× multiplier
- 2 × 5× multipliers
- 3 × 4× multipliers
- 13 × 3× multipliers
- 24 × 2× multipliers
This distribution means the 10× multiplier has roughly a 2.3% chance of being selected when available.
Is POWER PLAY® Worth It?
Whether adding POWER PLAY® makes mathematical sense depends on what you hope to achieve with your Lottery play.
POWER PLAY® has the most potential to impact when:
- You’re playing for the secondary prizes rather than focusing solely on the jackpot
- The jackpot is $150 million or less (making the 10× multiplier available)
- You frequently match some but not all numbers
POWER PLAY® could offer better value than buying additional standard tickets in terms of expected return for non-jackpot prizes. However, it doesn’t increase your odds of winning any prize – it only enhances the value if you do win.
Adding POWER PLAY® to your ticket
Whether you’re playing online through the West Virginia Lottery’s website, using their mobile app, or purchasing at a retailer, adding POWER PLAY® is straightforward:
- Select your five main numbers (from one to 69) and one POWERBALL© number (between one and 26)
- Look for the POWER PLAY® option (usually a checkbox or toggle)
- Confirm your selection, which adds $1 per play
- Complete your purchase
The digital platforms make this particularly simple, with clear visuals indicating whether POWER PLAY® is active on your ticket.
While POWERBALL© remains a game of chance, POWER PLAY® represents one of the few player-controlled variables that can significantly impact potential returns. Understanding how it works allows you to make a more informed decision about whether that extra dollar per play aligns with your preferences.
For your next POWERBALL© ticket, consider whether the potential prize boost justifies the additional cost, especially when those smaller jackpots bring the 10× multiplier into play.
