Powerball Jackpot At $285M For Saturday's Drawing

What would you do with $285 million? That's the Powerball jackpot as of Friday ahead of the next drawing Saturday. The odds winning the grand prize are about 1 in 292 million.

Powerball is $2 a ticket and involves picking five numbers up to 69 and then a Powerball number up to 26. Drawings are Saturdays and Wednesdays at 11:20 p.m. If there's no winner Saturday, the jackpot will continue to grow for Wednesday's drawing. The winner can choose between the $285 million prize in the form of an annuity or a one-time $173 million cash payout.

Looking for tips to increase your odds of winning Powerball? Ditch birth dates or other milestones — as calendar dates are at the extreme low end of the number spectrum. Also, play with friends or co-workers.

And remember to sign the back of your ticket. You wouldn’t want someone else walking away with your jackpot if you lose your ticket.

Powerball is offered in 44 states, Washington D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.

• Massachusetts Powerball retailers

Photo credit: Powerball