Although a record breaking $1.6 billion prize was won last week, the US Powerball lottery jackpot is already one of the biggest in the world after just one rollover.

The US Powerball Lottery has filled the headlines in the last week or so, with a staggering $1.586 billion jackpot being claimed by three tickets. But it's such a popular draw that just a single rollover has once again given it one of the biggest jackpots in the world, with an estimated $50 million prize available at the next drawing on Wednesday 20th January. After taxes, the value is a reduced, but still very nice $31.8 million.

About The Powerball Lottery

The base level of the Powerball is $40 million, and there's no reason why despite the numerous rollovers that have happened recently, the jackpot can't be won at the very first draw. A rule change in October 2015 has had the effect of paying smaller prizes to more people, but making it more difficult to hit the main jackpot. Players now aim to match 5 main numbers from 69, (previously 59), plus a single Powerball from a second pool of 26. Tickets cost $2, although an extra Powerplay option adds $1 to the cost, but multiplies all except the main jackpot prizes several times over.

Timing Of The Draw

Draws now take place in Tallahassee Florida at 10.59 local time on Wednesday and Saturday nights. Tickets can generally be purchased up until 10.00pm that day, although as the USA has four timezones, residents of each state always need take into account the difference. Now that tickets can be purchased around the world through sites such as online-lottery-tickets.com, it's important that players know what local time is in relation to Florida, with the UK being 5 hours ahead, and mainland Europe being 6 hours ahead.