DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The numbers were picked Monday night for an estimated $1.1 billionPowerball jackpot, although it's not immediately clear if anyone was a big winner. The numbers drawn were 8, 23, 25, 40, 53, with the Powerball 5. No one has matched all six numbers since May 31, allowing thejackpot to swellto $1.1 billion, which would be the fifth-largest prize in the game's history. As ticket sales climbed this week, game officials raised the estimated Monday night jackpot to $1.1 billion before taxes. Payments would be spread over 30 years, or a winner can choose an immediate lump sum of $498.4 million, again before taxes. The odds of matching all six numbers are astronomical: 1 in 292.2 million. The odds of gettingstruck by lightningare greater. But with so many people putting down money for a chance at life-changing wealth, someone eventually wins. Powerball, which costs $2 per ticket, is played in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are held each week on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday nights.
