The Powerball jackpot for Wednesday night's drawing is an estimated $1.4 billion, making it the fourth-largest in the game's history and the sixth-largest U.S. lottery jackpot overall. This is the 41st drawing since the jackpot was last won on May 31st. The jackpot increased to $1.4 billion due to strong national ticket sales, with the cash option before taxes being $634.3 million. Drawings occur three times weekly, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, at 10:59 PM ET, broadcast live and available on replay. Tickets cost $2, with an additional $1 for the Power Play feature that can multiply non-jackpot prizes. The deadline to purchase tickets varies by state, typically one to two hours before the drawing. Players select numbers from two pools or can use the automated "Quick Pick" option. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million, significantly lower than the odds of being struck by lightning.