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How do you play Mega Millions? What to know about buying tickets, picking numbers
Mega Millions players could ring in the new year as a billionaire if the odds are in their favor.
Just a few hours away of the Friday, Dec. 27 drawing, the jackpot is worth an estimated $1.22 billion. If the lucky winner chooses the cash option, they can take home $549.7 million, the lottery said.
The last time someone won a Mega Millions jackpot was back in September. A Texas player won the $810 million prize. Another lucky player won $1.128 billion in March. On Dec. 23, the New Jersey player claimed their prize. The largest lottery jackpot in Mega Millions history was a $1.602 billion prize from one winning ticket in Florida in August 2023.
With the jackpot continuing to rise, more people are trying their luck at the game. If no one wins tonight's jackpot, the grand prize will continue to grow until a winner is declared.
Ready to try your luck? Here's a guide on how to play Mega Millions.
Lottery Winner: Winner steps forward to claim $1.1 billion Mega Millions jackpot nearly 9 months after drawing
What time is the Mega Millions drawing?
Mega Millions drawings are every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. ET. The next drawing is Friday, Dec. 27.
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
What are the top 10 Mega Millions jackpots?
According to the lottery, the following jackpots are the top 10 jackpots that have been won as of Dec. 27:
$1.602 billion, Aug. 8, 2023; a Florida player
$1.537 billion, Oct. 23, 2018; a South Carolina player
$1.348 billion, Jan.13, 2023; a Maine player
$1.337 billion, July 29, 2022; an Illinois player
$1.128 billion, March 26, 2024; a New Jersey player
$1.050 billion, Jan. 22, 2021; a Michigan player
$810 million, Sept. 10, 2024; a Texas player
$656 million, March 30, 2012; a player from Illinois, Kansas and Maryland
$648 million, Dec. 17, 2013; a player from California and Georgia
$552 million, June 4, 2024; an Illinois player
How to play Mega Millions
Mega Millions tickets cost $2 per play.
To play, pick six numbers from two separate pools of numbers: either five different numbers from 1-70 for the white numbers, and one number from 1-25 for the gold Mega Ball.
You win the Mega Millions jackpot by matching your numbers to all six numbers pulled in the drawing.
If you don't want to pick your own numbers or if you'd rather leave it up to chance, the Mega Millions has a random number generator on its website, where a computer will randomly generate options for white balls and a Mega Ball.
Players can add the "Megaplier" for $1 which can increase non-grand prize winnings by two, three, four or five. The Megapiler is drawn before the Mega Millions numbers on Tuesday and Friday.
There are 15 Megapiler balls in all:
2X, five balls
3X, six balls
4X, three balls
5X, one ball
What is the Megaplier?
Most states offer the Megaplier feature, a multiplier which increases non-jackpot prizes by two, three, four and five times.
It costs an additional $1 per play. Before each regular Mega Millions drawing, the Megaplier is drawn. From a pool of 15 balls, five are marked with "2X," three with "4X" and one with "5X."
What are the odds of winning the Mega Millions?
Your odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are pretty slim: Just 1 in 302,575,350, according to the lottery.
The odds of winning the smaller, $1 million prize are 1 in 12,607,306.
Where to buy Mega Millions 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 and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, 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); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mega Millions guide: How to play, drawing time, buying tickets, more
