After a disappointing Christmas Day draw, hopeful lottery players in the US have another shot at the massive Powerball jackpot, which has now reached a staggering $685 million. The previous draw on Christmas Day saw the winning numbers as 5, 12, 20, 24, 29, and Powerball 4. Although no one managed to match all six numbers, there were some lucky winners who matched five numbers, including the Power Play feature, in Colorado and Georgia. These winners walked away with impressive $2 million prizes, as reported by the Powerball website. Additionally, there were winners in California, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania, who each won $1 million for matching five numbers.

It is worth noting that Christmas Day Powerball jackpots have only been won three times in history, with the most recent victory occurring in 2013. A fortunate player from Missouri claimed an astounding $71.5 million jackpot on that particular Christmas Day. The rarity of these wins only adds to the excitement surrounding the upcoming draw.

For the upcoming Wednesday drawing, the jackpot has now reached an eye-watering $685 million, with a cash value of $344.7 million. This incredible sum presents ticketholders with a life-changing opportunity, should they be fortunate enough to match all the winning numbers. CNN reports that the lucky winner would have the option to receive a lump sum payout of approximately $345 million.

The Christmas Day draw marked ten years since the last Christmas Day jackpot win. During that memorable year in 2013, a ticket purchased in Missouri secured a staggering $71.5 million jackpot. This highlights the rarity and significance of winning the Powerball jackpot on such a special occasion.

Although the jackpot remains elusive, the Christmas Day draw did not leave all players empty-handed. Ticketholders in New Hampshire and Pennsylvania each won $1 million for matching five numbers, while another ticket sold in California secured a noteworthy prize of approximately $2.08 million. It is important to note that non-jackpot prizes in California vary depending on the number of winners and tickets sold, as opposed to the fixed prizes listed on the Powerball website. Moreover, two tickets sold in Colorado and Georgia won $2 million each due to the inclusion of the Power Play feature, which increases winnings.

The Powerball jackpot has been rolling over for an astonishing 32 consecutive draws since October 11, 2021. The last winning ticket was sold in California, and the grand prize reached an astonishing $1.765 billion.

For those feeling lucky, the overall odds of winning a prize in the Powerball lottery are 1 in 24.9. However, the challenge of winning the jackpot itself poses much greater odds, with a 1 in 292.2 million chance of success, according to Powerball.