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How to Play Powerball

Learn how to play Powerball and find out about all the different entry types. To play you just need to select seven numbers from 1 to 35 and a Powerball number between 1 and 20. The Powerball is drawn from a separate barrel so the same number can appear twice in the same draw.

You can pick up a Powerball playslip from newsagencies or convenience stores across Australia. Ticket sales close at 7:30pm AEST, apart from in Western Australia where you need to enter before 6:00pm AWST. Draws take place shortly after 7:30pm AEST. The entry types you can choose from are shown below:

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Standard Entry

To play a standard entry you choose seven numbers from 1 to 35 and one Powerball from 1 to 20. This is also known as a ‘Marked’ entry in some states, as you ‘mark’ your own numbers on the playslip. Fill in one game panel on the slip for every game you want to play in the same draw. The cost per entry starts from $5.40 for four games in most states, apart from in Western Australia where you can start from two games for $2.65.

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QuickPick/SlikPik

As an alternative to a Marked entry, you can ask for a QuickPick to have random numbers generated for you. Just tell the cashier how many entries you want to play with this fast and easy method, which is known as ‘SlikPik’ in Western Australia.


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    PowerHit Entry

    A PowerHit entry – known as Powerpik in Western Australia – is a type of entry which guarantees that you will match the Powerball number. All seven of your main numbers are paired with every possible Powerball number. You therefore enter 20 games at once when you play a PowerHit entry.

    For example, if you play a PowerHit with the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, you would play 20 games as follows:

    • 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, Powerball 1
    • 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, Powerball 2
    • 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, Powerball 3

    ...etc., up to:

    • 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, Powerball 18
    • 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, Powerball 19
    • 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, Powerball 20

    The cost of a standard 20-line PowerHit is $26.95, but you can also combine PowerHits with System entries, which would cost more.

    System Entry

    Powerball System entries provide a great way to increase your chances of winning. Choose between eight and 20 main numbers and then play every valid seven-number combination within your chosen set. For example, if you play a System 8 with the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, you would play eight separate games with the following numbers:

    Play 1: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
    Play 2: 1 2 3 4 5 6 8
    Play 3: 1 2 3 4 5 7 8
    Play 4: 1 2 3 4 6 7 8
    Play 5: 1 2 3 5 6 7 8
    Play 6: 1 2 4 5 6 7 8
    Play 7: 1 3 4 5 6 7 8
    Play 8: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

    With System entries you just pick one Powerball number, and that number is added to each of the games you play. You can also combine System entries and PowerHit entries, where you play a System as described then combine every set of numbers generated by your System with every one of the 20 Powerballs. By doing so, you improve your chances of winning greatly but the cost also increases very quickly.

    Pick Entry

    With a Pick entry, you select just five or six numbers and then combine them with every possible number or pair of numbers remaining. For example, if you play a Pick 6 with the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, you would play 29 games as follows:

    • 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 + Powerball
    • 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 + Powerball
    • 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 + Powerball

    ...etc., up to:

    • 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 33 + Powerball
    • 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 34 + Powerball
    • 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 35 + Powerball

    You would pay for each individual game so the cost adds up quickly. Pick 5 entries work in exactly the same way, except you combine your five chosen numbers with every pair of numbers remaining. You enter a lot more games with a Pick 5 entry - 435, to be exact – so the cost also increases.

    Syndicates

    You can set up your own syndicate with workmates or family members, then choose your entry type. Alternatively, join a syndicate already set up in store to team up with other local players. Go to the Syndicates page for more information.

    It is possible to combine PowerHit entries with system entries, where you select between 8 and 15 main numbers. Every combination of seven numbers within your chosen set will then be paired with all 20 Powerball numbers. You can also combine Pick entries with PowerHit entries, guaranteeing that you will match the Powerball and one or two main numbers.

    You can play up to 10 consecutive draws in Powerball. You can also register for a Player Card in your state, so that any numbers you play are stored in a database when you buy tickets. This allows your lottery provider to contact you if you win even if you haven’t checked the results.

    How to Win Powerball

    To win the Powerball jackpot, the seven numbers and one Powerball you select must be exactly the same as the winning numbers drawn. However, there are nine prize divisions in total so you can win prizes for matching fewer numbers – starting from just two plus the Powerball. Go to the Dividends page to find out more about the prizes on offer and the odds of winning.

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