Powerball players across Mississippi and the nation are getting an early dose of holiday excitement as the game’s jackpot climbs to an estimated $820 million for Saturday.

The prize carries an estimated cash value of $383.5 million and, if won, would rank as the eighth-largest Powerball jackpot in the game’s history. Saturday’s drawing will be the 39th in the current jackpot run.

Participation continues to surge following September’s record-setting $1.787 billion prize, which players in Missouri and Texas claimed. This year has already seen four other Powerball jackpots hit in Oregon, Kentucky, and twice in California.

Powerball tickets are $2 per play, with optional add-ons including Power Play for $1 to multiply non-jackpot prizes, and Double Play for an additional $1, which provides

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