Powerball: Most Common Numbers Drawn
CHICAGO (CBS) -- OK, you are gonna go for the Powerball jackpot. It's more than a half BILLION dollars, for goodness sakes!
So, what do you do: Quick Pick or pick numbers yourself.
Either way, it doesn't change the insane odds, which are 1 in 175 million.
RELATED: What To Do If You Win
But, with the jackpot for Wednesday night's now at $550 million, you need to do some analysis. This is serious business.
The five most common "first five" numbers drawn in the past 90 days, according to usamega.com: 56, 59, 01, 07, 14, 29, 44.
The number 56 has been drawn 15 times in the past 90 days, 59 (13 times) 01, 07, 14, 29,44 (11 times each)
The most common Powerball numbers in the past 90 days: 33 (7 times), 29 (6 times), 01, 05, 06 (4 times each).
If you are the type that goes against the grain, here are the least common numbers in past 90 days.
First five numbers: 12, 21, 27,37, 38, 52, 02, 25, 40 (picked three or four times).
Powerball: 09, 15, 17, 31 (picked zero times).
Playing more common numbers does nothing to improve your chances, but it might make you feel a bit more confident with your picks. The reality is that most winners let the computer choose the numbers.
It also pays to play if you live in Indiana, compared with Illinois or Wisconsin, according to usamega.com.
Why?
Lower state income tax. (Illinois residents will recall the day when they only paid 3 percent.)
Indiana: $258 million lump sum payout on a $550 million jackpot after federal and state taxes. (the lottery withholds 25 percent federal tax, 3.4 percent state tax).
Illinois: $252 million lump sum payout after taxes (5 percent state tax).
Wisconsin: $240 million lump sum payout after taxes (7.75 percent state tax).
There are several states that don't even tax lottery winnings. Lucky!
Finally, the odds (you have a 1 in 32 chance of winning ... something):
5 + 1 Jackpot: 1 in 175,223,510.00
5 + 0 $1,000,000: 1 in 5,153,632.65
4 + 1 $10,000: 1 in 648,975.96
4 + 0 $100: 1 in 19,087.53
3 + 1 $100: 1 in 12,244.83
3 + 0 $7: 1 in 360.14
2 + 1 $7: 1 in 706.43
1 + 1 $4: 1 in 110.81
0 + 1 $4: 1 in 55.41
Overall odds of winning 1 in 31.85
