Calculating Powerball odds?
4 numbers: 1 in 19,087.53
3 + powerball: 1 in 12,244.83
3 #s: 1 in 360.14
2+ powerball: 1 in 706.43
Why is hitting 4 #s (no powerball) higher odds than 3 #s with powerball but hitting 3 #s is LOWER odds than 2 #s + powerball?
edit:
removed prize amounts. it seems to be confusing people as to what i'm asking for
Quote: 100xOddsfrom their website (http://www.powerball.com/powerball/pb_prizes.asp):
4 numbers: 1 in 19,087.53, $100 prize
3 + powerball: 1 in 12,244.83 , $100 prize
3 #s: 1 in 360.14 , $7
2+ powerball: 1 in 706.43 , $7
Why is hitting 4 #s (no powerball) higher odds than 3 #s with powerball but the other prize tier has it the opposite?
They're just keeping it simple. Obviously both could be a lot higher, but they choose to make it a total rip-off. The lotto might be trying to keep these wins with potential multipliers below the threshold for required claiming at a lottery office instead of a retailer. Some of these lottos initially start paying only 20% back overall at the reset which I feel is just without any dignity. It is essentially them doing anything they want.
Quote: onenickelmiracleThey're just keeping it simple. Obviously both could be a lot higher, but they choose to make it a total rip-off. The lotto might be trying to keep these wins with potential multipliers below the threshold for required claiming at a lottery office instead of a retailer. Some of these lottos initially start paying only 20% back overall at the reset which I feel is just without any dignity. It is essentially them doing anything they want.
i'm not asking about the prize amount.
i'm asking why in the $100 prize tier that odds of hitting 4 #'s is higher than 3 #'s + powerball, but in the $7 tier, it's the opposite?
Quote: 100xOddsi'm not asking about the prize amount.
i'm asking why in the $100 prize tier that odds of hitting 4 #'s is higher than 3 #'s + powerball, but in the $7 tier, it's the opposite?
The simple answer is it is completely arbitrary and they are just trying to keep it simple. The odds are only for winning those amounts, differ from the true odds too, because you can only claim your highest win level. Arbitrary is the key word and the odds have very little to do with the amount won.
removed prize amounts. it seems to be confusing people as to what i'm asking for
Quote: 100xOddsfrom their website (http://www.powerball.com/powerball/pb_prizes.asp):
4 numbers: 1 in 19,087.53
3 + powerball: 1 in 12,244.83
3 #s: 1 in 360.14
2+ powerball: 1 in 706.43
Why is hitting 4 #s (no powerball) higher odds than 3 #s with powerball but hitting 3 #s is LOWER odds than 2 #s + powerball?
edit:
removed prize amounts. it seems to be confusing people as to what i'm asking for
Why? Because the math says so. All numbers approximate.
5 white and no power ball to 4 white and power ball (1 to 8)
4 white and no power ball to 3 white and power ball ( 1 to 1.6)
3 white and no power ball to 2 white and power ball (2 to 1)
2 white and no power ball to 1 white and power ball ( 5.3 to 1)
1 white and no power ball to 0 white and power ball ( 17 to 1)
Quote: mipletQuote: 100xOddsfrom their website (http://www.powerball.com/powerball/pb_prizes.asp):
4 numbers: 1 in 19,087.53
3 + powerball: 1 in 12,244.83
3 #s: 1 in 360.14
2+ powerball: 1 in 706.43
Why is hitting 4 #s (no powerball) higher odds than 3 #s with powerball but hitting 3 #s is LOWER odds than 2 #s + powerball?
edit:
removed prize amounts. it seems to be confusing people as to what i'm asking for
Why? Because the math says so. All numbers approximate.
5 white and no power ball to 4 white and power ball (1 to 8)
4 white and no power ball to 3 white and power ball ( 1 to 1.6)
3 white and no power ball to 2 white and power ball (2 to 1)
2 white and no power ball to 1 white and power ball ( 5.3 to 1)
1 white and no power ball to 0 white and power ball ( 17 to 1)
I do not understand this post at all, miplet? what do you mean by this list?
I also share OP's confusion as to why the 3+0 = $7 prize is listed higher than the 2+1=$7 prize, when it is less likely to win the 2+1=$7 prize.
Quote: sodawater
I also share OP's confusion as to why the 3+0 = $7 prize is listed higher than the 2+1=$7 prize, when it is less likely to win the 2+1=$7 prize.
So prizes can be written in increasing order of white balls matching as well as increasing amounts of money. It's a clarity issue, not a math issue. Fwiw, I don't like powerball's prize set up either, but they are allowed to set up prizes however they wish, obviously.
