Winning Big in Powerball: Tips & Strategies
Which Lottery Game has the Best Odds of Winning?
Lottery is a game of chance. But what can you do to better your chances of winning? Scratch off and instant games are usually where your best odds of winning are. However, scratch off games have a shorter lifespan are a subject to change more frequently.
For every game there are different odds of winning. Let’s look at the draw games with the best odds of winning on a state by state basis.
Best Lottery Odds by State
| GAME | BASE TICKET PRICE | OVERALL ODDS |
|---|---|---|
| Powerball | $2 | 1 in 24.9 |
| Mega Millions | $2 | 1 in 24.0 |
| Lucky for Life | $2 | 1 in 7.8 |
| Lotto America | $1 | 1 in 9.63 |
| Cash4Life | $2 | 1 in 7.76 |
Most of the states across the country participate in multi state draw games. These include some of the big names like Powerball and Mega Millions.
However, there are smaller games like Lotto America, Cash4Life, and Lucky for Life that are multi state draw games. Let’s break down some of the numbers surrounding the odds around winning in these different games.
Unfortunately, with bigger games the odds of winning are lower. Both Powerball and Mega Millions are offered in 45 states as well as Washington D.C. and are two of the more popular games to play.
While they are both highly accessible, the odds of winning Powerball are 1 in 24.9 and the odds of winning Mega Millions are 1 in 24. It is important to note that the odds for playing Powerball and Mega Millions remain the consistent when played in different states.
When you play a smaller game the odds of winning are higher. Lucky for Life is available in 22 states and D.C, Lotto America is available in 13 states, and Cash4Life is offered by 10 state lotteries. The odds of winning Lotto America are 1 in 9.6.
But when it comes to which of the multi-state draw games have the best odds of you winning. Lucky for Life and Cash4Life are your best bets. The two are tied for the best odds of winning at 1 in 7.8.
Now let’s take a more in depth look at some state by state odds.
Which Lottery has the best odds in California?
| GAME | BASE TICKET PRICE | OVERALL ODDS |
|---|---|---|
| CA Daily 3 | $1 | 1 in 1,000 (Exact) |
| CA Daily 4 | $1 | 1 in 10,000 (Exact) |
| Daily Derby | $2 | Varies (See Game Page) |
| CA Fantasy 5 | $1 | 1 in 9 |
| Mega Millions | $2 | 1 in 24 |
| Powerball | $2 | 1 in 24.9 |
| Super Lotto Plus | $1 | 1 in 23 |
| CA Scratchers | $1 – $30 |  |
Let’s start with the sunshine state, California, and their numbers for individual games. The odds for Daily Derby vary but you can stay updated by visiting their game page.
CA Daily 4 has the lowest odds of winning. If you take your chances you’ll have a 1 in 10,000 chance of winning. The chances of winning dramatically increase if you play a different game though. CA Daily 3 has a 1 in 1,000 chance of winning big.
Super Lotto Plus has another significant increase of the odds of winning being 1 in 23. If you’re looking to play based on where your odds of winning will be the best look no further than CA Fantasy 5. Of the list we have compiled CA Fantasy 5 has the highest odds of winning with your chances being 1 in 9.
Which Lottery has the best odds of winning in Texas?
| GAME | BASE TICKET PRICE | OVERALL ODDS |
|---|---|---|
| All or Nothing | $2 | 1 in 4.5 |
| Cash Five | $1 | 1 in 7.2 |
| Daily 4 Plus Fireball | $0.50 or $1.00 | 1 in 10,000 (Exact) |
| Lotto Texas | $1 | 1 in 71.1 |
| Mega Millions | $2 | 1 in 24 |
| Pick 3 Plus Fireball | $0.50 or $1.00 | 1 in 1,000 (Exact) |
| Powerball | $2 | 1 in 24.9 |
| Texas Two Step | $1 | 1 in 32.4 |
| TX Scratch Offs | $1 – $100 | |
Texas has a variety of ways to play the lottery. Much like California, the odds for different games in Texas have a wide range. Daily 4 Plus Fireball has odds of 1 in 10,000 and Pick 3 Plus Fireball has odds of 1 in 1,000 for winning.
Playing other games increases your odds of winning rather significantly. Lotto Texas has odds of 1 in 71.1 for winning. The Texas Two Step game has odds of 1 in 32.4.
Cash Five and All or Nothing make your odds much better. Cash Five has 1 in 7.2 odds of winning and All or Nothing has odds of 1 in 4.5.
Which Lottery has the best odds of winning in Florida?
| GAME | BASE TICKET PRICE | OVERALL ODDS |
|---|---|---|
| Powerball | $2 | 1 in 24.9 |
| Cash4Life | $2 | 1 in 7.76 |
| FL Pick 2 | $0.50 or $1.00 | 1 in 100 (Exact) |
| FL Mega Millions | $2 | 1 in 24 |
| Florida Jackpot Triple Play | $1 | 1 in 15.24 |
| Florida Fantasy 5 | $1 | 1 in 7.58 |
| FL Lotto | $2 | 1 in 7.61 |
| FL Pick 4 | $0.50 or $1.00 | 1 in 10,000 (Exact) |
| Florida Pick 5 | $0.50 or $1.00 | 1 in 100,000 (Exact) |
| Florida Pick 3 | $0.50 or $1.00 | 1 in 1,000 (Exact) |
| FL Cash Pop | $1, $2, or $5 | 1 in 15 |
| FL Scratch Offs | $1 – $50 | |
Florida has a very large variety of games to choose from when playing the lottery. Florida has a few ‘pick’ games that range in odds. FL Pick 5 starts with 1 in 100,000 odds, FL Pick 4 follows with odds of 1 in 10,000, FL Pick 3 has odds of 1 in 1,000, and FL Pick 1 has odds of 1 in 100 for winning big.
Florida Jackpot Triple Play and FL Cash Pop are two games with quite similar odds, the former being 1 in 15.24 and the latter having odds of 1 in 15. Cash4Life, FL Lotto, and Florida Fantasy 5 also have relatively similar odds. However, theirs are better. Cash4Life has 1 in 7.76 odds, FL Lotto has 1 in 7.61 odds, and Florida Fantasy 5 has odds of 1 in 7.58.
The sunshine state may have a few games with very similar odds, but they offer much variety of what you can choose to play.
Which Lottery has the best odds of winning in Georgia?
| GAME | BASE TICKET PRICE | OVERALL ODDS |
|---|---|---|
| GA Cash 3 | $0.50 or $1.00 | 1 in 1,000 (Exact) |
| GA Cash 4 | $0.50 or $1.00 | 1 in 10,000 (Exact) |
| GA Cash4Life | $2 | 1 in 7.76 |
| GA Fantasy 5 | $1 | 1 in 10.06 |
| GA Jumbo Bucks Lotto | $1 | 1 in 47.56 |
| GA MEGA Millions | $2 | 1 in 24 |
| Georgia FIVE | $1 | 1 in 5.26 |
| Georgia Powerball | $2 | 1 in 24.9 |
| GA Cash Pop | $1, $2 or $5 | 1 in 15 |
| Scratchers | $1 – $50 | |
Georgia also has more than a few games to choose from with differing odds for each. GA Cash 4 and GA Cash 3 are quite like the Florida ‘pick’ games. GA Cash 4 has 1 in 10,000 odds and GA Cash 3 has 1 in 1,000 odds.
GA Jumbo Bucks lotto brings us to better chances with 1 in 47.56 odds. Georgia Powerball and Georgia Mega Millions keep their numbers the same with Powerball at 1 in 24.9 and Mega Millions at 1 in 24.
Much like FL Cash Pop, GA Cash Pop has 1 in 15 odds of winning. GA Fantasy 5 takes the odds to 1 in 10.06 and GA Cash4Life has odds of 1 in 7.76. Georgia FIVE fits their name with the odds of winning being 1 in 5.26.
Which Lottery has the best odds of winning in New York?
| GAME | BASE TICKET PRICE | OVERALL ODDS |
|---|---|---|
| New York Pick 10 | $1 | 1 in 17 |
| Cash 4 Life | $2 | 1 in 7.76 |
| NY Lotto | $1 | 1 in 92.05 |
| Mega Millions | $2 | 1 in 24 |
| NY Numbers | $0.50 or $1.00 | 1 in 1,000 (Exact) |
| Powerball | $2 | 1 in 24.9 |
| NY Take 5 | $1 | 1 in 8.77 |
| NY Win 4 | $0.50 or $1.00 | 1 in 10,000 (Exact) |
| NY Scratch Offs | $1 – $30 | |
New York does not have as many games to choose from, but you can absolutely still play games with a range of odds. The odds for NY Win 4 are 1 in 10,000 and NY Numbers has 1 in 1,000 odds of winning.
NY Lotto has better odds with 1 in 92.05, and New York Pick 10 with better odds yet with 1 in 17. The best draw game odds for winning in New York are with NY Take 5 and Cash 4 Life. NY Take 5 boasts 1 in 8.77 odds and Cash 4 Life follows closely with 1 in 7.76 odds for winning.
Which Lottery has the best odds of winning in Virginia?
| GAME | BASE TICKET PRICE | OVERALL ODDS |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Bank a Million | $2 | 1 in 18.3 |
| VA Cash 5 | $1 | 1 in 9.62 |
| VA Cash 4 Life | $2 | 1 in 7.76 |
| Mega Millions | $2 | 1 in 24 |
| VA Pick 3 | $0.50 or $1.00 | 1 in 1,000 (Exact) |
| VA Pick 4 | $0.50 or $1.00 | 1 in 10,000 (Exact) |
| Powerball VA | $2 | 1 in 24.9 |
| VA Scratchers | $1 – $30 | |
Like Florida and Georgia, the Virginia ‘pick’ games have a range of odds that are quite low. VA pick 4 has 1 in 10,000 odds of winning and VA Pick 3 has 1 in 1,000 odds.
Virginia Bank a Million has far better odds with their chances of winning being 1 in 18.3. VA Cash 5 follows with their odds being 1 in 9.62. If you’re looking to play the lottery in Virginia and are choosing your game based on odds VA Cash 4 Life will give you the best chance of winning a draw game. Their odds for winning are highest at 1 in 7.76.
The best odds of winning for the rest of the states
We’ve covered a handful of states here, but there are many more places you can play the lottery. Lotto Edge has all of the latest odds for varying games and states available.
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