The multi-state lottery jackpot, which is played in 43 states, plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands, is now up to an estimated $284 million prize since there were no winners in Sunday’s drawing, according to Lottery Post. The Powerball winning numbers for Saturday, February 8, were 24, 25, 34, 37, and 54, with Powerball number 29.

If you win, and you are a “take the cash” kind of person, you will walk away with $162.7 million. Saturday was the 13th consecutive drawing without a winner. This particular jackpot started out as a prize of $40 million way back on Dec. 28th.

Not everyone went home empty handed, however. There were a few $1 million dollar winners on Saturday, those that matched the first 5 numbers. There were 2 from California, 1 from Colorado, 1 from Florida, 1 from New Jersey, 2 from New York, 1 from Oklahoma, 1 from Texas, and 1 from West Virginia.

Had those lucky folks opted for Power Play, costing another $1, they would have won $2 million. Not a single one did.

Also, 48 tickets matched four white numbers plus the Powerball and won $10,000, 10 of which spent the extra $1 for Power Play and walked away with $20,000.

Perhaps this would be helpful:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKvLSWacWUs

The Power Play option returned on the January 22nd drawing, and was welcome back with open arms. The option only costs another dollar, and if you match all five white balls, you get the Match 5 prize which will pay $2 million, regardless of the multiplier number drawn, according to Market Wired.

“New and different ways to win will bring more excitement for our players,” Karen Bach, director of budget, products and communications for the Arizona Lottery said of the Power Play option when it was reintroduced. “We’re expecting the return of the enhanced Power Play multiplier to be popular with our players, and we look forward to awarding even bigger prizes to Arizona Powerball winners in the coming months.”

Drawings are Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10:59 pm Eastern Time and tickets cost $2 each.

Image via youtube