The Mega Millions jackpot has climbed to an estimated $650 million for the next draw on Tuesday, October 21. This is the 10th largest Mega Millions jackpot in history and is increasing because no ticket in the last drawing matched all six numbers. The large jackpot is inviting players from all 50 states to try to win a life-changing amount of money.
How to Play Mega Millions
To play Mega Millions, players choose five white balls numbered from one to seventy and one gold Mega Ball numbered one to twenty-five. Or, players can just have the numbers randomly generated as a Quick Pick numbers. Each ticket costs $5 for one set of numbers. For an extra $1, players can add the Megaplier that multiplies non-jackpot prizes. As always, play responsibly when trying to win the Mega Millions jackpot!
Odds of Winning Mega Millions Jackpot
The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are about 1 in 290 million. However, while those numbers are dismal, there are ways to win smaller prizes. If a player matches 5 white balls, without the Mega Ball, they will win a total of $1 million, which can increase to $5 million with the Megaplier. In total, a player has about a 1 in 23 chance of winning a prize, so there are plenty of chances to win smaller awards.
Mega Millions Prize Options: Annuity or Lump Sum
Winners of the Mega Millions jackpot can select either of two payout options:
- Annuity: The jackpot amount paid in 30 annual payments over 30 years.
- Lump Sum: A one-time cash payment. For the drawing on October 21, the estimated cash amount will be $304.1 million.
It is highly recommended to reach out to a financial advisor to determine the best payout option for them.
Mega Millions Old Jackpots
Here are some of the past Mega Millions jackpots from previous draws, showing how the prizes have changed over time. These past results give an idea of the draw history and winning patterns.
Mega Millions Draw Schedule
The Mega Millions draw occurs weekly twice a week on Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 PM Eastern time (8:30 AM IST). All draws are done live, and results are usually released shortly afterward. Players should always double-check to make sure they buy their tickets in time as there is a cut-off time, usually 10:45 PM ET, on draw days. Regular draws give players plenty of opportunities to try to hit the Mega Millions jackpot.
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Why Mega Millions Is So Popular
The large jackpots of Mega Millions and the excitement that builds with each rollover create a level of anticipation that is undescribeable. Players love the chance of winning millions, and the game is simple to understand in the event they do. There is enjoyment in even the small wins and the publicity generated from big wins from contestants creates talk on TV and social media; making everyone feel like they are in on the excitement. The combination of the large money amounts, a simple way to play, and shared excitement is a huge reason why Mega Millions has remained popular with players over the years.
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