Texas Powerball: Rules, Drawings, and How Much You Can Win
The Texas Powerball is one of the most popular lottery games in the United States, offering jackpots that can reach into the billions. If you live in Texas, you have unique benefits compared to players in some other states — including no state income tax on lottery winnings.
This guide will walk you through how to play, when to check results, what the odds are, and how much you could actually take home after taxes.
How to Play Texas Powerball
The Texas Powerball follows the same rules as the national game:
- 1Pick 5 numbers from 1 to 69.
- 2Pick 1 Powerball number from 1 to 26.
- 3Optional: Power Play — For an extra $1, multiply non-jackpot winnings up to 10x.
Tickets cost $2 per play (or $3 with Power Play).
For full official rules, visit the Texas Lottery Powerball page.
Texas Powerball Draw Times
Drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET (9:59 p.m. CT). Ticket sales close at 9:00 p.m. CT on draw days in Texas.
Jackpot and Payout Options
If you hit the jackpot, you can choose between:
- Annuity — 30 graduated annual payments over 29 years.
- Lump Sum — A one-time payment, usually 50–60% of the advertised jackpot.
💡 Texas Advantage:
Texas is one of the few states where lottery winnings are not subject to state income tax, meaning you only pay federal tax to the IRS.
How Much Would You Actually Take Home?
The advertised jackpot is before taxes. In reality:
- Federal withholding tax: 24% immediately
- Potential additional federal tax: up to 37% total for high earners
- Texas state tax: 0%
Example:
If you win a $500 million jackpot and choose the lump sum (~$300M), after 37% federal tax, you'd take home about $189M.
Want your exact numbers? Try our free Powerball Calculator to see how much you'd keep if you won in Texas. It works for both lump sum and annuity payouts.
Odds of Winning Texas Powerball
Your odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292,201,338, the same across all states. But there are 8 other prize tiers with better odds.
Where to Buy Texas Powerball Tickets
You can purchase tickets at any licensed Texas Lottery retailer. Texas does not sell Powerball tickets online through its official site — be cautious of third-party sellers.
Claiming Your Prize in Texas
- Prizes up to $599: Claim at any retailer.
- $600 or more: Claim at a Texas Lottery Claim Center or by mail.
- Jackpot prizes: Claim in person at Texas Lottery Headquarters in Austin.
Official prize claim information: Texas Lottery Prize Claims.
Conclusion
The Texas Powerball offers huge jackpots, straightforward rules, and a big advantage: no state tax on winnings. Whether you're buying your first ticket or preparing for your big win, understanding the rules and payout structure can help you make the most of your prize.
Ready to see what you could win? Use our free Powerball Calculator to get your personalized Texas payout estimate in seconds.