Quick answer
Double Play is a $1 add-on that puts your same Powerball numbers into a second drawing, held right after every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday Powerball draw. It has its own prize chart with a $10 million top prize, and it is offered in 30 states and territories. Power Play does not multiply Double Play prizes, and a ticket can win in both drawings.
How Double Play works, step by step
- Buy a regular Powerball play$2 for five white balls (1–69) and one red Powerball (1–26).
- Tick the Double Play box (or ask the clerk)That adds $1 to the play. You can also add Power Play for another $1.
- The main Powerball drawing happensYour numbers are checked against the regular Powerball result.
- A second, separate drawing followsNew numbers are drawn for Double Play, and your same numbers are checked again against that result.
- Check both resultsYour ticket can win in the main drawing, in Double Play, in both or in neither.
The Double Play payout chart
Double Play uses the same matrix as Powerball, so the odds are identical to the main game — but the prizes are different, and several of them are bigger than the base Powerball prizes.
| You match | Double Play prize | Main Powerball prize | Odds (1 in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 W + PB | $10,000,000 | Jackpot | 292,201,338 |
| 5 W | $500,000 | $1,000,000 | 11,688,053.52 |
| 4 W + PB | $50,000 | $50,000 | 913,129.18 |
| 4 W | $500 | $100 | 36,525.17 |
| 3 W + PB | $500 | $100 | 14,494.11 |
| 3 W | $20 | $7 | 579.76 |
| 2 W + PB | $20 | $7 | 701.33 |
| 1 W + PB | $10 | $4 | 91.98 |
| PB only | $7 | $4 | 38.32 |
Source: official Powerball and Double Play prize charts. W = white balls, PB = red Powerball. Main-game prizes shown without Power Play. Confirm current rules with your state lottery.
The interesting part is the middle of the chart. Matching four white balls pays $500 in Double Play versus $100 in the main game, and three white balls pay $20 versus $7. The trade-off is at the top: Double Play’s best prize is a fixed $10 million rather than a rolling jackpot.
Power Play vs. Double Play: the difference in one table
| Power Play | Double Play | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $1 per play | $1 per play |
| What it does | Multiplies the prizes you win in the main drawing | Puts your same numbers in a second, separate drawing |
| Prizes | Non-jackpot prizes × 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X or 10X ($1M becomes $2M) | Its own chart, from $7 up to $10 million |
| Touches the jackpot? | No | No (top prize is a fixed $10 million) |
| Where | All Powerball states | 30 jurisdictions |
Source: powerball.com. You can add both to the same play for $4 in total; the Power Play multiplier never applies to Double Play prizes.
Where to check the Double Play winning numbers
The Double Play drawing is held after every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday Powerball drawing. Its numbers are posted with that night’s results on powerball.com (View Results, and Previous Results for older draws) and on the website of each participating state lottery. Remember that they are different numbers from the main drawing: a ticket with Double Play has to be checked against both sets.
How to read the add-on boxes on your ticket
Most confusion about Double Play comes from the ticket itself. Here is what each term means in practice:
- Power Play: multiplies non-jackpot prizes in the main drawing by 2X to 10X. It costs $1 and does nothing for Double Play.
- Double Play: a second drawing with your same numbers. It costs $1 and has its own prize chart.
- Multi-draw: plays the same numbers for several upcoming drawings. Any add-ons you choose apply to every drawing in the run, so the cost multiplies too.
- Quick Pick (QP): the terminal chose your numbers at random. It does not affect add-ons. (See Quick Pick vs. choosing your own numbers.)
So one play can cost $2 (base), $3 (with one add-on) or $4 (with both). Over a month of three draws a week, the difference between $2 and $4 per play adds up fast — worth deciding before you get to the counter, not at it.
Where Double Play is available
Powerball lists 30 participating jurisdictions:
Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, U.S. Virgin Islands and Washington.
The list can change; check powerball.com or your state lottery before you play.
Is Double Play worth it?
It depends on what you want from the extra dollar. Double Play gives you a second chance with the same numbers and noticeably bigger mid-tier prizes; Power Play multiplies what you win in the main game, mostly by 2X (the full rules and math are in is Powerball Power Play worth it?). Neither changes the odds of the main drawing. A sensible approach is to pick one style — base only, one add-on, or both — and stick with it inside a fixed budget. Players who track their tickets, for example with Atlas AI, can see after a few months which add-on actually returned more for them.
Our recommendation: Atlas AI
Double Play means two result sets for every draw, and that is exactly where tickets get checked against the wrong numbers or not checked at all. Atlas AI Lotto Money is the tool we recommend to keep your play organized. Its Results Panel brings the latest Powerball, Mega Millions and Cash4Life results together, the searchable Draw History lets you look up any past draw in seconds, and Smart Pick builds up to ten combinations from the full number range and draw history since 1985 — ready to use in the main game and Double Play alike.
One payment of $197, lifetime access on phone or computer, and a 60-day money-back guarantee. It does not predict draws or change the odds; it makes choosing and tracking numbers simple.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Power Play and Double Play?
Both cost $1. Power Play multiplies the non-jackpot prizes you win in the main drawing by 2X to 10X. Double Play enters your same numbers into a second, separate drawing with its own prizes and a $10 million top prize. Power Play does not apply to Double Play prizes.
Where can I see the Double Play winning numbers?
Powerball posts the Double Play numbers with each drawing’s results on powerball.com (View Results and Previous Results), and participating state lotteries publish them on their websites.
Do you win anything with 2 numbers in Double Play?
Two white balls plus the Powerball pay $20 in Double Play. Two white balls without the Powerball pay nothing.
What is Double Play in Powerball?
Double Play is a $1 add-on that enters your same Powerball numbers into a second, separate drawing held after every main Powerball drawing. It has its own prizes, with a top prize of $10 million.
How much does Double Play cost?
$1 extra per play, on top of the $2 base ticket. A play with both Power Play and Double Play costs $4.
Does Power Play work on Double Play prizes?
No. You can add both, but the Power Play multiplier applies only to the main Powerball drawing, not to Double Play prizes.
Which states have Powerball Double Play?
According to Powerball, 30 jurisdictions offer it, including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Washington. Check the full list on powerball.com or with your state lottery.
Can I win both the main drawing and Double Play?
Yes. The two drawings are separate, so a ticket can win in one, the other, or both.
Play for fun, play within a budget
Add-ons raise the cost of every play. Decide your budget before you buy and never chase losses. 18+ only (or the legal age in your state). Help is available 24/7 at 1-800-MY-RESET.