How to Play Powerball in New Jersey

To play Powerball, you just have to select five numbers from 1 to 69 and a Powerball number between 1 and 26. There are a few other decisions to make too, but it only takes a few seconds to fill out a playslip.

Drawings take place at 10:59 PM ET, and the cut-off time for buying tickets in New Jersey is 9:59 PM. The steps below outline exactly how to play Powerball.

Select your numbers

Choose five main numbers from the first block of 1 to 69, and one Powerball number from a separate field of 1 to 26. Alternatively, you can ask the retailer for a Quick Pick or mark the QP circle on your playslip if you would prefer to play with a random set. You can enter up to five sets of numbers per playslip.

Consider Power Play

Mark 'Y’ for YES to add the Power Play option to your ticket. This will cost an extra $1 per play, but if you win a non-jackpot prize it will be boosted by the value of the randomly selected Power Play multiplier. This could be as much as 10 times the base amount.

Add Double Play

You can opt in to the Double Play draw by selecting 'Y' for YES in the relevant section. This will enter your numbers into a second draw that takes place just after the main draw, with prizes ranging from $7 to $10 million. Adding Double Play also costs an extra $1 per play.

Play multiple draws

You don’t just have to play one draw at a time. Use the Multi-Draw area to select how many consecutive drawings you want to enter, up to a maximum of 12.

Pay for tickets

Check you are happy with your selections, then pay for your tickets. These cost $2 per play, plus an additional $1 for Double Play and a further $1 for Power Play. The total cost, therefore, depends on how many sets of numbers you enter, how many consecutive draws, and whether you include Double Play and/or Power Play.

Cash or Annuity?

You also have to indicate on your playslip whether you would take the annuity or the cash if you won the jackpot. If you do not choose a preference, it will defer to the annuity option. However, this can be changed when you claim your prize if you decide you would rather take the lump sum.

Using a Lottery Courier

An alternative to visiting a New Jersey Lottery retailer yourself is to order your tickets online. By signing up with a lottery courier, such as Jackpot.com, you can simply choose your numbers from home, then your tickets will be bought on your behalf. You’ll receive a scanned copy of the ticket as proof that it belongs to you, and any prizes you win will be paid directly into your player account.

How to Win

To win the Powerball jackpot, you must match all five main numbers plus the Powerball. There are also eight other ways to win if you get fewer numbers. Go to the Odds and Prizes page to view all the possible payouts.