Winning the Powerball jackpot is a dream for millions, but even coming close can lead to life-changing payouts. That’s exactly what happened to one lucky Texas player who narrowly missed the $84 million grand prize—yet still walked away with an astonishing win.
While the jackpot eluded them, this player’s near-miss turned into a massive victory, proving that you don’t always need to hit every number to strike it rich. Here’s how it happened and what it means for future Powerball hopefuls.
The Near-Jackpot Win in Texas
In the latest Powerball drawing, the winning numbers were announced, and one ticket sold in Texas matched all but one number needed for the $84 million jackpot. Instead of taking home the grand prize, the player secured a substantial second-tier prize—a windfall that still amounts to hundreds of thousands, if not millions, depending on the game’s multiplier.
Powerball’s prize structure rewards players who match most, if not all, of the winning numbers. While the jackpot requires matching all five white balls plus the Powerball, hitting five white balls alone earns a 1millionprize(or2 million if the Power Play option is activated).
In this case, the Texas ticket matched enough numbers to claim a major secondary prize, turning what could have been disappointment into an incredible financial boost.
How Much Did the Texas Winner Actually Win?
The exact amount won depends on whether the player opted for the Power Play multiplier, an add-on feature that can multiply non-jackpot prizes by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or even 10x.
-
Without Power Play: Matching five white balls (but not the Powerball) earns a flat $1 million.
-
With Power Play: If the player added the multiplier and it was set at 2x or higher, the prize could have doubled to $2 million—or even more if a higher multiplier was in play.
Given that Texas is known for its enthusiastic lottery players, there’s a strong chance this winner boosted their earnings with Power Play. If so, their “near-miss” could have turned into a multi-million-dollar payday.
Where Was the Winning Ticket Sold?
While the Texas Lottery has not yet disclosed the exact location of the retailer that sold the winning ticket, past big winners have come from cities like Houston, Dallas, Austin, and smaller towns across the state.
Once the ticket is validated, the lottery commission will announce the store that sold it, which often leads to a surge in ticket sales as hopeful players flock to “lucky” retailers.
What Should the Winner Do Next?
If you’re the lucky Texas player holding this winning ticket, here are the next steps:
-
Sign the Ticket Immediately – This prevents anyone else from claiming the prize if the ticket is lost or stolen.
-
Keep It Secure – Store it in a safe place until you’re ready to claim it.
-
Decide: Lump Sum or Annuity?
-
Lump Sum: Take a one-time, reduced payout (usually about 60% of the advertised jackpot after taxes).
-
Annuity: Receive the full prize spread over 30 years.
-
-
Consult a Financial Advisor – Sudden wealth requires smart planning for taxes, investments, and long-term security.
-
Claim the Prize – Texas winners have 180 days to come forward.
Could This Happen to You?
This Texas winner’s story is a reminder that even if you don’t hit the jackpot, Powerball can still make you rich. Here’s how to improve your odds:
-
Play Consistently – More tickets mean more chances.
-
Use Power Play – It can multiply secondary prizes.
-
Join a Lottery Pool – Group play increases your number of entries.
-
Check Your Numbers! – Many winners don’t realize they’ve won smaller prizes.
Conclusion: A Near-Miss Still Pays Off
While the 84millionjackpotslippedaway,thisTexasplayer’sfortuneprovesthatPowerballcanchangelivesevenwithouthittingthetopprize.Whetherit’s1 million or $2 million (or more), a near-jackpot win is still an incredible stroke of luck.
Will you be the next big winner? The next Powerball drawing could be your chance—so grab a ticket, play smart, and dream big!