Powerball players in North Carolina have over half a billion reasons to get excited this weekend with a $515 million jackpot up for grabs.

A winner on Saturday could claim the jackpot as a $515 million annuity or $242.7 million in cash.

Even though the jackpot remains up for grabs, North Carolina players continue to win other big prizes playing Powerball. One lucky $2 ticket in Wednesday’s drawing won $50,000. The ticket came from the Harris Teeter on Park Road in Charlotte.

“A Powerball jackpot worth more than half a billion dollars really starts to get people’s attention,” said Mark Michalko, chief executive officer of the N.C. Education Lottery. “Remember to check your tickets carefully after Saturday night’s drawing. Good luck.”

Powerball has gone 29 straight drawings without a jackpot win. The last jackpot win occurred in January when a single ticket in Oregon claimed the $328.5 million prize.

Players can buy Powerball tickets at any lottery retail location or through Online Play on the lottery’s website, www.nclottery.com. The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292 million.

The N.C. Education Lottery’s Play Smart™ program helps North Carolinians make the most of their lottery play. Visit ncplaysmart.com to learn about all things lottery, from tips on how odds work to how to enter bonus drawings. If you or someone you know needs support, visit morethanagame.nc.gov/ for free, confidential help.