Powerball $100 million jackpot: Luckiest numbers and places to buy a ticket

WITH $100 million up for grabs in the upcoming Powerball jackpot — the highest figure in the game’s 22-year history — we look at the luckiest numbers and places to buy a ticket.

HALF of all Powerball winners in the past year were from one state.

Victoria accounts for nine of the 18 division one winners in the last 12 months, new data shows.

It has emerged as Powerball reaches a record in tonight’s draw, with $100 million up for grabs.

It’s the highest figure in the game’s 22-year history and the equal highest jackpot in Australian lottery history.

To win division one in Powerball, you need to match the seven winning numbers drawn from one barrel and the Powerball number from another barrel.

If you plan to pick your own numbers, this could be your winning formula.

The top five most frequently drawn Powerball numbers are 19, 9, 15, 16 and 17.

The numbers which have come up least frequently — and therefore might be due — are 13, 3, 7, 6 and 14.

Rachael Serafin, from Highdale Newsagency in Melbourne’s Armadale, is certain she's going to sell the winning ticket. Picture: Mark Stewart

The 18 Powerball division one winning entries in the past year have received more than $249 million.

And it would appear Victoria is the lucky state.

Two winning tickets were purchased online there while the other winners bought theirs from the Eaglehawk Authorised Newsagency, Sebastopol Lotto & Cards, Milleara Mall Lotto in Keilor, Mill Park Newsagency, Scole Lotto and News in Brunswick, Lucky Draw Lotto at the Preston Market and the North Kew Newsagency.

Hopeful customers are seen lining up at a Powerball retailer in Sydney.

In NSW, two winners struck it rich after buying their tickets online and the others from the Nambucca Heads Newsagency, Stuarts Point Newsagency, Camden Newsagency and Greenfield Newsagent in Greenfield Park.

In Queensland, the winning entries were from the Gatton Plaza Newsagency, Chatswood Hills News & Casket Agency in Springwood, and the Dalby Newsagency.

Two-thirds of these division one Powerball wins were from QuickPick entries, where the numbers are randomly generated by the lottery terminal.

One of the many Powerball tickets being bought. Picture: Supplied

One-in-five division one winning entries were also PowerHits, entries where the all-important Powerball number is guaranteed.

If there are no division one winners tonight, the Powerball jackpot will soar higher.

“Just how high will only be determined after the draw closes tonight based on the volume of entries,” The Lott spokesman Matt Hart said.

“However regardless of what it climbs to, it would be a new Australian lottery record for the biggest jackpot.

“Currently the Australian record is $100 million — Oz Lotto in 2012 and this week’s Powerball.

“If one single entry takes home the entire $100 million division one pool, it would be the largest individual Australian lottery prize ever won.”

Mr Hart said he would be standing by to call any registered division one winners immediately after the draw.

“Regardless of the entry type you go for, the most important thing to remember is that if want a chance to win a slice of that massive $100 million prize, you do need an entry,” he said.

“And don’t forget to register your entry so that we can give you that $100 million phone call if you have all the numbers on Thursday night.”

Entries for the draw close 7.30pm (AEST) and it will be broadcast on 7TWO after 8.30pm (AEST).

TOP THREE ENTRY TYPES

For those keen to know those Powerball entry types that might deliver more chances to win, the Lott’s data reveals the top three Powerball entry types:

PowerHit entries

One-in-five division one winning entries for Powerball last financial year were PowerHits entries — a type of entry where the all-important Powerball number is guaranteed. Remember, you need the Powerball number to win division one, along with many of the other divisional prizes.

QuickPick entries

Two-thirds of last financial year’s division one Powerball wins were from QuickPick entries — a type of entry where the numbers are randomly generated by the lottery terminal.

Syndicate entries

When jackpots start to climb, syndicates of work colleagues, family and friends become an increasingly popular option. By pooling your money, you can buy a share in a bigger entry that gives more chances to win. Any prizes you win are shared among the syndicate members.