Why does it seem like some states produce more Powerball winners than others, and do a Powerball player’s odds of winning change based on state lines?
As someone who plays Powerball to win, you’ve likely already heard the conventional wisdom for increasing the odds in your favor. Tips like playing the same numbers every time, mixing up even and odd numbers, highs and lows, and buying more than one ticket are commonly circulated. But have you ever thought about where you live or play from as being a factor? Is there such a thing as the luckiest state?
Some states produce more Powerball winners than others
According to USA Today, Pennsylvania routinely sells the most Powerball jackpot-winning tickets, followed by populous Florida. States that have sold more than 10 Powerball jackpot-winning tickets are California, New York, and Indiana. Do you live in one of these states?
What about statistics over time? States like Florida and Pennsylvania are places to play the long game. That is, over the last two decades, both Florida and Pennsylvania have sold an impressive sixteen tickets with the potential to change lives, so says the Miami Herald. Average out this jaw-dropping figure, and you’ll quickly see that these states sell an average of one jackpot-winning ticket every one and one-quarter years.
That’s a number almost worth moving for when you think about it.
States with the fewest Powerball jackpot winners
Now, no one is suggesting you leave the state where you live in order to win. But as you remain an avid player in the Powerball world, you might want to understand the odds where you play from. Residents of the Sooner State, Oklahoma, enjoy many things. But jackpot luck at Powerball is not one of them. Explanations for this phenomenon vary from the cynical to the mundane. However you slice it, your chances of winning the Powerball in Oklahoma aren’t great, based on reports from The Oklahoman. Could it be worth your time to play your favorite number or honor your luckiest ritual when you are on vacation somewhere else? That all depends on where you are visiting.
Some states haven’t sold a jackpot Powerball ticket at all
Wyoming is a popular vacation destination, along with Maine and the Virgin Islands. But these iconic places don’t have a historic track record of producing Powerball jackpot winners. In fact, to date, these states have never sold a single winning ticket. Wyoming, Maine, and the Virgin Islands are joined by Mississippi to the south and North Dakota to the north as places without a winning ticket in their history. These figures go back to 2003, as documented by The Hill. So, would that lengthy dry spell improve your odds of winning, or does it suggest that these states are less likely to produce a jackpot winner?
Your official odds of winning a Powerball jackpot are the same no matter where you play
Agree or disagree with the statement above, the Powerball facts are rooted in data. No matter where you choose to buy your Powerball ticket, including a high-winning state like Pennsylvania or a never-before-winning state like Wyoming, your odds of a jackpot are the same - one in 292 million.
Math-wise, statistics-wise, officially, the odds are never going to change when it comes to buying that winning ticket as a Powerball player. Just consult the Powerball Prize Chart if you’re not sure.
You can’t be a big winner without buying a Powerball ticket
Nevertheless, a person with a winning attitude, such as yourself, is going to cover all of their bases, beginning with purchasing a Powerball ticket. You do you and play things smart. Choose the same numbers every time, mix up even and odd numbers, and remember your highs and lows. However you choose to play, have fun with it. Just remember that where you live and play won’t change your chances.