Recent Powerball rule change makes it harder to win big prize

BOSTON — The increasing Powerball jackpot has more people buying tickets for a chance to win.

A recent change to the Powerball rules may have intended for that to happen.

Time reported that the new Powerball rules were approved to be changed in October.

The rule adjusts the number of red and white balls that players can choose from.

Players now choose five white ball numbers out of 69, instead of 59, and one red Powerball number out of 26, instead of 35.

The lower number of Powerballs to choose from mean there are bigger chances of winning, but it may not be very substantial.

For example, matching the red Powerball means a $4 prize. The odds of winning that are 1 in 38.32, according to the Powerball site.

Odds of winning the jackpot by matching five white balls and the Powerball is 1 in 292,201,338.00.

The Powerball lottery and retailers may benefit most. The effect of the change means more people are likely to buy tickets, because they have better chances of winning something.

Cox Media Group