By Popular Demand: A Make-over for Power Play®

Back by popular demand, a Power Play number will again be chosen as part of the drawings in the Powerball game.

Beginning with tonight’s drawing, a multiplier number will again be selected in the Powerball drawings, and that number – known as the Power Play – will increase the amount you can win at seven of the game’s nine prize levels by 2X, 3X, 4X or 5X.

The change will take the Power Play option back to the way it was selected until two years ago.

When $2 Powerball debuted in January 2012, the Power Play was changed. It still increases several of the game’s prize levels, but the amount that the prize multiplies has varied by prize level.  

Since the change was made, we’ve been hearing from players who said they liked the “X factor” for the Power Play and wanted to see it return. Our response? You asked for it, you got it!

So starting tonight, there will again be a separate drawing to select the Power Play number, and it will be either 2, 3, 4 or 5. If you’ve added the Power Play option to your Powerball ticket, any prize you win except the jackpot and the Match 5 prize will be multiplied by the Power Play number selected.

The prize for matching the first five numbers but missing the Powerball will continue to be $2 million if you’ve added the Power Play option. And the Power Play multiplier does not apply to the game’s jackpot.

Powerball tickets will continue to cost $2 and the Power Play option can be added for an additional $1 per play. The game’s drawings are at 9:59 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays.