Inspired by their own method of Powerball play, see how the Riley’s strategy paid off to the tune of $50,004 in Powerball prize money this year in Maryland.
Many players have their own special methods or rituals when playing Powerball. Joe and Sylvia Riley, from Maryland, only played Powerball when the jackpot prize reached a certain amount. When the jackpot climbed above that, Mr. Riley would buy his Powerball tickets, and boy, was he happy that he did! Keep reading to learn more about the Riley’s big Powerball win!
Mr. Riley Only Plays When the Jackpot Gets to $250 Million or Higher
Joe and his wife Sylvia enjoy playing Powerball and purchase tickets often. But they have only one rule they abide by when playing. They only purchase tickets if the jackpot prize is $250 million or greater. So, when the Powerball jackpot recently rose to an unbelievable $1.3 BILLION, Joe Riley decided he’d better buy some tickets. Joe handed $10 to the cashier and let the computer pick the numbers via Quick Pick. He tucked the tickets away in a safe place and was hopeful his numbers were winners.
The Rileys Patiently Waited for the Powerball Drawing
It was later the Rileys checked the Powerball website and saw there was one winner in Oregon, but three tickets in Maryland had $50,000 winning tickets. Joe carefully double-checked their tickets to see if they had any matches. Joe could not believe his eyes, he matched 4 white balls and the red Powerball, netting him $50,004. Just to be sure, he made Sylvia check their ticket numbers against the drawn numbers, and she confirmed that they were winners!
How the Riley’s Win Played Out
The Riley’s prize win is referred to as a third-tier win, meaning that the numbers chosen matched the third level of the prize money. The jackpot winner would have to match all five white ball numbers drawn plus the iconic red Powerball number. The second-tier winner would need to match all five white balls but miss the red Powerball, and third-tier winners, like the Rileys, matched four white balls and the red Powerball, netting a nice $50,004 prize win! The $50,000 is for the third-tier match, but the $4 comes from another line on his ticket that matched a white ball and the Powerball. So, Joe and Sylvia were two-time winners on one ticket.
There Are Many Ways to Play Powerball
Joe purchased his tickets in person at a Walmart, one of many authorized Powerball retail outlets. But that’s not the only method of purchasing Powerball tickets. Online playing is available, with players purchasing tickets, checking drawings, and claiming their winnings via a Powerball website. Players can also access Powerball play via their cell phone app, enjoying the same features as the website. Players who win $600 or less can visit any authorized retail outlet to collect their prize money. But if you hit it big like Joe and Sylvia, you will have to either mail your ticket or appear in person at the State Commission to collect the prize money.
More Than One Winner When it Comes to Powerball
The Riley’s are big winners to be sure, but did you know that the retail outlet that sold that winning ticket wins, too? Depending on which state the ticket was purchased, a percentage of the amount won goes right back to the retailer. In most participating states, Powerball donates a big chunk of money back to schools and community and civic-minded efforts, as well.
What Would You Do with $50,000?
The Riley’s decided to split the money evenly, with Joe getting half and Sylvia getting the other half. Both said they wanted to use some of the money to help family members, and they both agreed a family vacation was in order. Playing Powerball is easy and fun, and if you play responsibly and are a prize winner like the Rileys, it’s also a great way to make your dreams come true! But you must play to win, so grab your Powerball tickets today!