Mega Millions is one of the most popular and exciting lottery games in the United States, offering rewards capable of changing a life.
If you are new to the game or want to know how it works, here is a step-by-step guide to help you understand how to play, the best way to choose your numbers and what prizes are at stake.
How to play Mega Millions
Step 1: Purchase tickets
The first step to play Mega Millions is to buy a ticket.
Each play costs $2.00.
You can buy tickets directly at gas stations, supermarkets and other authorized retailers.
In some areas, you can also buy them online through platforms like Jackpocket, where you can choose your numbers and track your ticket.
Step 2: Choose your numbers
Once you have your ticket, you must choose your numbers, six numbers in total:
Five numbers from a group of 1 to 70 (these are the white balls).
One number from a group of 1 to 25 (this is the golden Mega Ball).
If you don’t want to choose the numbers yourself, you can opt for a quick pick in which the lottery’s random number generator selects offers you a combination.
Step 3: Mega Millions Drawings
Mega Millions drawings are held twice a week, on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 PM ET/20:00 PM PT.
You need to match all six winning numbers to claim the jackpot.
If no one wins, the jackpot accumulates and grows for the next drawing.
Step 4: The rest of the prizes
While the jackpot is the main attraction, there are a total of nine ways to win a prize.
The jackpot prize varies according to sales and is announced before each drawing.
Prizes range from the top prize up to $2.
The overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 24, making it more likely to win any of the amounts that are drawn.
Megaplier and Just the Jackpot
Megaplier: for an additional $1 per play, you can activate the Megaplier feature, which multiplies the jackpot winnings by 2, 3, 4 or 5 times.
Before each draw, if you choose a Megaplier number, this determines the multiplier for any prize other than the jackpot.
Just the Jackpot: in some states, players can choose to play the Just the Jackpot option, in which you only compete for ‘Just the Jackpot’, the advantage of this option is that, for a cost of $3, you have the possibility to choose two combinations to hit this jackpot. However, you cannot participate for any of the other jackpots.
What happens if you win?
If you win the Mega Millions jackpot, you will have to decide between two payment options:
Annuity option: provides an immediate payout followed by 29 annual payments, each increasing by 5% to help keep the purse above inflation.
Cash option: you can also choose a lump sum payment, which is the entire jackpot paid in one lump sum, from which taxes are deducted immediately, causing the amount to be significantly reduced.