Powerball jackpot rises to $856 million for Saturday draw

A massive Powerball jackpot has climbed to an estimated $856 million after no ticket matched all six numbers in the latest drawing, setting the stage for a potential eighth-largest prize in the game's history this weekend. The next drawing is scheduled for Saturday, August 8, at 10:59 p.m. ET.

The grand prize grew from $786 million after Wednesday's drawing concluded without a jackpot winner. The winning numbers for that draw were 14, 20, 59, 60, and 61, with a red Powerball of 25. While no one secured the top prize, a single ticket sold in Ohio matched all five white balls to win a $1 million second-tier prize. An additional 20 tickets nationwide won $50,000 each by matching four white balls and the Powerball.

If a player wins the estimated $856 million jackpot on Saturday, they will face a choice between an annuitized prize paid in 30 graduated payments over 29 years or a lump-sum cash payment estimated at $372 million. Lottery officials note that most jackpot winners historically choose the cash option. Both advertised amounts are before federal and state taxes are applied; federal withholding alone would immediately reduce a lump-sum prize by 24 percent.