If you’re feeling lucky, Friday could be your chance to hit it big. The Mega Millions jackpot has climbed to an estimated $825 million, making it the 7th largest prize in the game’s history.
No one has won the jackpot since Sept. 10, when a Texas player snagged $810 million - the current 7th largest Mega Millions jackpot.
The Mega Millions jackpot has been won only three times this year, so far the fewest won in any single year in the game's history.
If a winner is named on Friday, it would be the largest prize ever won in December. Thirteen Mega Millions jackpots have been won during December since the game began in 2002.
How to Play Mega Millions
For $2 per ticket, players choose five numbers from one to 70 for the white balls and one number from one to 25 for the gold Mega Ball.
If you prefer to leave it to chance, you can opt for a Quick Pick to have the lottery machine randomly generate your numbers.
How can you win?
While the jackpot steals the spotlight, there are plenty of other prizes to aim for:
- Match just the Mega Ball, and you’ll win $2.
- Match all five white balls, and you could take home $1 million.
The Mega Millions website offers a full breakdown of prize payouts if you want to see all the possibilities.
Chances of winning
The odds of winning the jackpot are steep at 302,575,350-to-1. But the thrill of dreaming big keeps millions of players coming back.
If hitting the jackpot seems too far-fetched, remember that the odds of matching all five white balls are a more manageable 12,607,306-to-1.
Drawings are conducted at 11 p.m. EST on Tuesdays and Fridays.
While the Mega Millions offers the excitement of imagining life as a millionaire, don’t spend those winnings before you see the numbers line up in your favor.
The next drawing takes place Friday, so grab your tickets and cross your fingers.
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