Winning Powerball Numbers, Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017

The Powerball jackpot continues to grow, with no winning ticket sold for Wednesday night's $52 million, according to the National Lottery Association.

No ticket matched all six numbers drawn in the multi-state Powerball drawing, and the estimated jackpot for Saturday'sdrawing grew to $64 million, lottery officials announced today.

The numbers drawn tonight were 3, 6, 19, 26, 44, and the Powerball number was 1.

With no jackpot winners from Oct. 28, and no match 5 Power Play or Match 5 winners either, the prize just got bigger.

The lump sum cash payout is estimated to reach $32.1 million. Tickets are a mere $2 each.

You have a better chance of hitting the jackpot if you let the computer pick your numbers. The Multi-State Lottery Association, which operates the Powerball game, says about 75 percent of winning tickets are selected when the numbers are chosen by a computer.

Wake To This View Every Day In Laguna For $12.9 Million: WOW House: How would you like to wake up to this morning view every day in Laguna Beach? Just a mere $12.9 million & it's yours. #Powerball.

The largest three Powerball jackpots ever are:

• $1.6 Billion — January 2016
• $758.7 Million — August 2017
• $590.5 Million — February 2013

Claiming, Safeguarding Winnings

So, what should you do if you win the big prize? Many lottery winners hire an attorney, financial planner or both, since most people don't exactly know what to do when they suddenly come into so much money. Some even bring their lawyer with them to claim their prize. The lottery does not offer any counseling services or advice for winners.

Then there are the taxes. The federal tax on lottery winnings is 25 percent. Then, any extra income taxes like state or city would apply. In Illinois, the tax hit would be 4.95 percent. Financial experts say that if you can get more than a 3 or 4 percent return on an investment, the lump sum is actually the best way to go in the long-term.

Winning tickets must be redeemed in the state where purchased regardless of where the winner lives.

Patch file photo