As the Powerball jackpot swells to an eye-popping $1.3 billion, experts are warning that many players may never win — especially if they rely on the popular Quick Picks feature.
While millions of Americans are drawn in by the allure of life-changing money, the reality of the odds is far less glamorous.
Quick Picks May Be Hurting Your Chances
Quick Picks, the option that allows a computer to randomly select numbers for you, is used by up to 80 percent of Powerball participants.
But lottery expert Dawn Nettles claims it actually diminishes your chances of hitting the jackpot.
“The system frequently spits out duplicate tickets with the same numbers,” Nettles explains.
“It has no memory of the combinations it has already sent, which slashes the odds of winning.”
According to Nettles, the randomization process often results in fewer unique number combinations, making it less likely that players will match the jackpot figures.
How the Lottery Profits From Millions of Tickets
As jackpots climb, more Americans are drawn to play, boosting lottery profits.
The Multi-State Lottery Association points out that Quick Picks are an integral part of the game — noting that a 2022 drawing produced two winners in New York and Wisconsin who shared a total prize of $632.6 million.
The next Powerball drawing is set for Wednesday night, and excitement is building as players hope to snag the fifth-largest jackpot in Powerball history.
Expert Advice: Pick Your Own Numbers
Nettles, who runs the Lotto Report tracking lottery trends, suggests a simple strategy: skip Quick Picks and choose your own numbers.
“Sit down and fill out a play slip,” she advises.
“In Texas, our Quick Picks are 90 percent big numbers.
Picking your own gives you a modestly better chance.”
Nettles has long criticized Quick Picks, calling the system a “scam” back in 2016, and encourages players to take control of their numbers to protect the spirit of fair play.
Lottery’s Role in Local Economies
Despite criticisms, Nettles emphasizes that lotteries benefit communities.
“Winners spend it at home, buy cars and yachts, and improve their homes,” she said. “It helps families and kids in their communities.”
Other lottery experts defend the game’s integrity. Jared James, founder of LottoEdge, stresses that Powerball drawings are conducted live and are secure.
He notes that winnings are subject to taxes: “The $1.3 billion advertised prize is about $589 million after federal and state taxes, still a life-changing amount for most people.”
Odds Remain Astronomically Low
Tim Chartier, a mathematics and computer science professor at Davidson College, put the odds into perspective: “Imagine picking one second in the last 9.2 years.
That’s the same odds as winning the Powerball.”
Monday’s draw produced the numbers 8, 23, 25, 42, 53, with a bonus number 5.
Out of 111,472,078 tickets sold, no one claimed the jackpot, though two participants in Montana and North Carolina won $2 million each, and ten other tickets in nine states won $1 million.
Powerball Draw Returns Tonight
The next Powerball draw at 11pm promises more excitement, with players hoping to beat the astronomical odds.
A Powerball spokesperson reassured the public: “Players have the same odds of winning in each drawing, regardless of the jackpot size or how many tickets have been sold.”
Whether you choose Quick Picks or hand-select your numbers, the odds remain daunting — but the thrill of chasing a billion-dollar dream continues to captivate millions of Americans.