Powerball hikes whopper of a jackpot to $425 million
The annuity prize was the fourth biggest in U.S. history. Now, so is the cash.
Powerball hiked its jackpot today to $425 million for the annuity, $244.7 million for the cash.
The estimated annuity prize for Wednesday's drawing was put at $400 million after no one matched all of Saturday's numbers.
See "Bucks County tickets wins $1 million in Powerball."
But stronger than expected sales gave the jackpot an early boost.
Even though the chances of winning with a single $2 ticket are a microscopic 1 in 175 million.
Powerball's annuity jackpot is still the fourth biggest in North American history, and now so is the cash jackpot.
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/Powerball_1_million_won_in_Bucks_County_jackpot_up_to_400_million_.html#FUBshTawhMdx5oE1.99
No jackpot has hit $400 million without being won, so if this one rolls over, it might top the record $656 million, set by Mega Millions in March 2012. See "Biggest jackpots in U.S. history."
Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/Powerball_1_million_won_in_Bucks_County_jackpot_up_to_400_million_.html#FUBshTawhMdx5oE1.99
No jackpot of $400 million or more has ever rolled over, so if this one does, it might top the record $656 million, set by Mega Millions in March 2012.
Powerball's record of $590 million was set in May.
The third biggest U.S. jackpot, $587.5 million, was set by Powerball in November.
See "Biggest jackpots in U.S. history."
For more, go to www.powerball.com.
Contact staff writer Peter Mucha at 215-854-4342 or pmucha@phillynews.com.