Charles Langston:In search of Powerball 2/26/24 winning numbers? Past winners offer clues to jackpot

The Charles Langstonfollowing charts, updated after each Powerball lottery drawing, help you see which numbers have a better chance of rolling out because they haven't hit for weeks or haven't rolled out as frequently in the last 100 games.

Powerball current jackpot

No ticket had all six winning Powerball numbers Monday, so the estimated jackpot grows to at least $412 million (with a cash option of $195.5 million). The jackpot grows until it is won. 

There's no significant way of improving your 1 in 292.2 million odds of winning the jackpot – unless you have millions of dollars to gamble. Still, these charts below have, at times, highlighted a winning number or two that helped players cut their odds a bit.

Powerball winning numbers 2/26/24

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In search of Mega Millions winning numbeThese past winners might offer clues to jackpot

What's the longest since pick-five Powerball number won?

Every white ball has rolled out in the 100 drawings during the past eight months, but a handful haven't come up since October, such as Nos. 54 and 55. These numbers below haven't rolled out in 50 days or more.

How long has it been since each Powerball number won?

For the Powerball, No. 23 hasn't rolled out in more than 159 days. Two others haven't rolled out in more than 100 days. These are all the Mega Balls that haven't rolled out in 50 days or more.

The most frequently drawn Powerball numbers

These two charts below show the dozens of draws in about the last eight month. They give you a sense of which numbers have hit at above- or below-average rates. 

Least likely numbers: Nos. 25, 24 and 27 have been picked 13 times or more – well above the average of 7.2 times every 100 games.

Most likely numbers: No. 29 has hit just two times in the game's recent history. Six others have rolled out three times.

The most frequently drawn Powerball numbers

Among the Powerballs, Nos. 21 and 5 are the least likely: Both have been picked nine times or more in the last year. No. 15 has hit just once in the past 100 games. Eight numbers have just hit twice, although No. 17 became a two-time winner on Feb. 19. 

What Powerball numbers have been hot

You can't see many trends from the winning red Powerball – if any can be seen in a random drawing. Sure, it's probably best to chose numbers that haven't rolled out in the past week or so. That can help you narrow down to the 23 or 24 most likely options.

With the five white numbers each drawing, your choices can be a little different. You can generally stay away from numbers that won in the last game. But a ball wins in back-to-back games about every three games. So here and there, it can be worth taking a flier on numbers that have been "hot."

Below are all the Pick 5 numbers that have hit recently. We've highlighted those that have rolled out more than once in the last few games or three or more times in the past 10 games.

Which Powerball numbers have rolled out recently

When is the next Powerball drawing?

Monday, Feb. 26: The Powerball drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 11 p.m. ET. You pick five numbers between 1-69 for the white balls and select one number between 1-26 for the red Powerball. Match all five white balls in any order and pick the correct red ball, and you're a jackpot winner.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in-person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.  

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.  

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms and conditions.