A North Carolina man got the surprise of a lifetime recently—an email letting him know he had just won $2 million in the Powerball. Daryl Steinhoff, a resident of Clayton, was stunned when he saw the news. “I was ecstatic and in disbelief,” he told the North Carolina Education Lottery. “I called my daughter and my girlfriend immediately.”
Steinhoff, who is just 15 miles southeast of downtown Raleigh, revealed that he chose his lucky numbers based on family connections. And the numbers certainly paid off: 8, 23, 25, 40, 53, with a Powerball of 5. His $3 ticket matched all the numbers except one—but here’s the kicker—he had paid an extra dollar to double his prize, bumping his winnings to a whopping $2 million, according to the Raleigh News & Observer.
If Steinhoff had matched every number, he would have hit the massive $1.2 billion jackpot. Just one number shy, he still landed a life-changing prize. After taxes, he’ll be walking away with about $1.4 million. And he already has plans for part of his winnings: a new home is at the top of his list.
Powerball fever isn’t slowing down. The next drawing is set for Saturday, and the jackpot is expected to soar to $1.8 billion. If a single player claims it, it would be the second-largest jackpot in U.S. history, trailing only the record $2.4 billion Powerball won by a lucky Californian on November 7, 2022.
It’s worth noting just how rare hitting the jackpot is. The odds of selecting all the winning numbers? A mind-boggling 1 in 292,201,338. Over the game’s 33-year history, only six Powerball jackpots have surpassed $1 billion. Even this year, four winners have already struck it rich with smaller jackpots, including a Californian player who hit the jackpot on May 31.
Powerball is also making history in other ways. The current 41-draw streak without a jackpot winner ties a previous record. Last year, 42 consecutive drawings passed before a lucky Oregon player claimed a $1.326 billion prize. With streaks like this, the excitement for the Saturday draw is practically palpable.
For the lucky player who might take home the $1.8 billion jackpot, there are two payout options. They could choose a lump sum of roughly $826.4 million after taxes or opt for the annuity plan—29 annual payments that start smaller but increase by 5% each year. Either way, life will never be the same for the winner.
Even though the odds of hitting the jackpot are astronomically low, millions of Americans continue to try their luck. Tickets for Powerball can be purchased up until the day of the draw, though prices vary by state. And while a jackpot win is rare, the thrill, anticipation, and possibility of life-changing money keeps players coming back again and again.
Steinhoff’s story is a reminder that sometimes, fortune comes knocking when you least expect it. Whether it’s for a new home, paying off debts, or treating loved ones, a win like this can transform lives overnight. And for the rest of us, there’s always next Saturday—and that $1.8 billion dream.
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