Odds of winning Powerball prize improve (sort of)

The odds of winning a Powerball prize are going up — but don’t get excited yet.

Officials for the multi-state game have announced that itwill “have a new matrix designed to produce larger jackpots and add more winning experiences,” starting this Sunday.

What does that mean?

“In the new matrix, players will select 5 out of 69 white-ball numbers and 1 of 26 Powerball numbers. Odds of winning the jackpot by matching 5 of 5 plus the Powerball will go from 1 in 175.2 million to 1 in 292.2 million, while the overall odds of winning a prize in the game will improve from 1 in 31.8 to 1 in 24.9.”

In other words, you’re more likely to win something, but less likely to win the big prize.

There’s more.

“The $1 Power Play option will include the addition of a 10X multiplier that will be available on all prizes excluding the jackpot and 5 of 5 prizes when the jackpot is at or below $150 million.”

The first Powerball drawing with these changes will take place on Wednesday. Ticket sales with the new matrix will begin on Sunday, with the final drawing for the current matrix on Saturday.

The Powerball is currently available in 44 states, including, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and New York, as well as Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Good luck!