Summary
- • The most common Mega Ball number is 22, appearing 28 times since October 2017
- • The least common Mega Ball number is 21, appearing only 12 times since October 2017
- • The most common main ball number is 17, drawn 42 times since October 2017
- • The least common main ball number is 51, drawn only 20 times since October 2017
- • The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350
- • The odds of matching all five white balls but not the Mega Ball are 1 in 12,607,306
- • The overall odds of winning any Mega Millions prize are 1 in 24
- • The largest Mega Millions jackpot ever was $1.537 billion, won on October 23, 2018
- • The second-largest Mega Millions jackpot was $1.337 billion, won on July 29, 2022
- • The third-largest Mega Millions jackpot was $1.05 billion, won on January 22, 2021
- • Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 PM Eastern Time
- • Players choose 5 numbers from 1 to 70 and 1 Mega Ball number from 1 to 25
- • The Megaplier option, available in most states, can multiply non-jackpot prizes by up to 5 times
- • Mega Millions is played in 45 states, Washington D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands
- • Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah do not participate in Mega Millions
Are you feeling lucky? Well, before you start dreaming of yachts and mansions courtesy of the Mega Millions jackpot, lets dive into the fascinating world of numbers – not just any numbers, but the ones that could change your life in an instant. Did you know that the most common Mega Ball number is 22, while the least common is 21? From the elusive 50 to the ever-present 17, these statistics will have you playing with a purpose and maybe even revising your usual lucky digits. So, grab your ticket and your notepad because were about to crack the code behind the tantalizing game of chance that is Mega Millions!
Game Availability
- Mega Millions is played in 45 states, Washington D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands
- Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah do not participate in Mega Millions
- Mega Millions is offered for sale in Puerto Rico
- Mega Millions tickets are not available for purchase online in most jurisdictions
- The minimum age to play Mega Millions varies by state, ranging from 18 to 21
Interpretation
Playing Mega Millions is a bit of a numbers game in itself, with 45 states and various territories in on the action, but alas, Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah seem to have opted out of the Mega Millions party – perhaps they prefer the thrill of their own state lotteries. However, even if you're in sunny Puerto Rico or any other participating location, you won't be able to click your way to a potential jackpot as online ticket purchases are a no-go. And remember, before you start dreaming of that yacht and private island, be sure to check the fine print on the age limit in your state – after all, winning big is a responsibility for adults only!
Game History
- Mega Millions was first drawn on May 17, 2002
- The game was originally called The Big Game Mega Millions
- In 2010, Mega Millions and Powerball reached a cross-sell agreement, allowing more states to sell both games
- The game matrix was changed in October 2017 to its current format
- The game was originally available in six states when it launched in 2002
- In 2005, Mega Millions and Powerball were the only two multi-state lottery games in the United States
- The first Mega Millions drawing under the current game matrix was held on October 31, 2017
- Prior to October 2017, players chose 5 numbers from 1 to 75 and 1 Mega Ball from 1 to 15
Interpretation
Since its inception in 2002 as The Big Game Mega Millions, this lottery has undergone more transformations than a Kardashian family reunion. From its humble beginnings in six states to its current nationwide reach, Mega Millions has truly evolved like a glow-up montage. With its game matrix changing more often than a chameleon at a disco party, this lottery keeps players on their toes, proving that when it comes to Mega Millions, the only constant is change.
Game Structure
- Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 PM Eastern Time
- Players choose 5 numbers from 1 to 70 and 1 Mega Ball number from 1 to 25
- The Megaplier option, available in most states, can multiply non-jackpot prizes by up to 5 times
- The Just the Jackpot option, available in some states, allows players to play for the jackpot only
- The cost of a basic Mega Millions ticket is $2
- Adding the Megaplier option costs an additional $1 per play
- The Just the Jackpot option costs $3 for two plays
Interpretation
As the Mega Millions jingle plays in the background, the numbers dance before our eyes like a tantalizing tango of chance and luck. Players carefully select their 5 numbers, hoping for a harmonious blend of fate and strategy. With the Megaplier lurking in the shadows, promising to crank up the excitement and the stakes, it's a high-stakes game of mathematical mayhem. But for those looking to cut to the chase and go all in for the jackpot, the Just the Jackpot option beckons with a siren song of simplicity. In this world of numbered chaos, where $2 can lead to dreams fulfilled or shattered, one thing is certain – the Mega Millions is a wild ride that doesn't play by the rules of probability.
Jackpot History
- The largest Mega Millions jackpot ever was $1.537 billion, won on October 23, 2018
- The second-largest Mega Millions jackpot was $1.337 billion, won on July 29, 2022
- The third-largest Mega Millions jackpot was $1.05 billion, won on January 22, 2021
- The fourth-largest Mega Millions jackpot was $656 million, won on March 30, 2012
- The fifth-largest Mega Millions jackpot was $648 million, won on December 17, 2013
- The largest Mega Millions jackpot won by a single ticket was $1.537 billion in South Carolina
- The $1.537 billion jackpot in 2018 set a world record for the largest lottery prize won on a single ticket
- The largest Mega Millions jackpot won in New York was $437 million on January 1, 2019
- The largest Mega Millions jackpot won in California was $522 million on June 7, 2019
- Mega Millions has awarded 23 jackpots of $300 million or more since its inception
Interpretation
In the world of Mega Millions, numbers truly speak louder than words, with jackpots reaching astronomical heights that would make even Scrooge McDuck raise an eyebrow. From mind-boggling billion-dollar prizes to jaw-dropping sums that could make a yacht-fleet owner blush, the Mega Millions saga reads like a tale of rags to riches, or rather, riches to richer rapids. With a world record firmly tucked in its belt and enough zeros to make a mathematician's head spin, Mega Millions proves that when the universe whispers "lucky numbers," it's best to pay attention and perhaps pick up a ticket or two.
Jackpot Information
- The minimum Mega Millions jackpot is $20 million
- If there is no jackpot winner, the prize pool rolls over to the next drawing
- Jackpot winners can choose between an annuity option or a cash option
- The annuity option pays out the full jackpot amount over 29 annual payments
- The cash option provides a one-time lump sum payment of the jackpot's cash value
- The jackpot starts at $20 million and grows until it is won
- There is no maximum or cap on the Mega Millions jackpot amount
- If multiple tickets win the jackpot, the prize is divided equally among the winners
- Non-jackpot prizes are set amounts, except when the Megaplier is applied
Interpretation
In the world of Mega Millions, the numbers don't just tell a story of luck and chance; they paint a portrait of infinite possibilities. With a starting jackpot of $20 million that can soar to unimaginable heights, players are offered a tantalizing choice between patience and immediate gratification. Do you dream of savoring the jackpot over 29 installments like a fine wine, or would you rather gulp down the cash option in a single gulp? In this high-stakes game, where the only limit is the sky itself, the Mega Millions jackpot is a whimsical dance of fate, where one lucky ticket can turn fantasy into reality, and where multiple winners must learn to share the sweet taste of victory.
Number Frequency
- The most common Mega Ball number is 22, appearing 28 times since October 2017
- The least common Mega Ball number is 21, appearing only 12 times since October 2017
- The most common main ball number is 17, drawn 42 times since October 2017
- The least common main ball number is 51, drawn only 20 times since October 2017
- The most common pair of main ball numbers is 10 and 42, drawn together 9 times since October 2017
- The most common trio of main ball numbers is 10, 14, and 58, drawn together 3 times since October 2017
- The number 7 has been drawn as a Mega Ball 25 times since October 2017
- The number 46 has been drawn as a main ball 41 times since October 2017
- The most delayed Mega Millions number is 50, not drawn for 69 consecutive drawings as of April 2023
- The most overdue Mega Ball number is 9, not drawn for 31 consecutive drawings as of April 2023
- The most common sum of the five main balls is 158, occurring 11 times since October 2017
- The least common sum of the five main balls is 103, occurring only once since October 2017
Interpretation
In the whimsical world of Mega Millions Numbers, it seems like even the balls have their own favorite numbers to play with! From the elusive 21 to the beloved 22, it's a game of chance that follows its own mysterious logic. While some balls like to mingle in pairs or even trios, others prefer to stand out as solo stars. The drama of the delayed numbers, like the rebellious 50 and the stubbornly absent 9, adds a touch of suspense to the already thrilling lottery experience. So, next time you pick your numbers, remember that behind those bouncing balls lies a fascinating tale of numbers waiting to be drawn and dreams waiting to come true.
Odds and Probabilities
- The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350
- The odds of matching all five white balls but not the Mega Ball are 1 in 12,607,306
- The overall odds of winning any Mega Millions prize are 1 in 24
- The odds of matching just the Mega Ball are 1 in 37
- The odds of matching one main ball and the Mega Ball are 1 in 89
- The odds of matching three main balls are 1 in 606
- The odds of matching four main balls are 1 in 38,792
- The odds of winning any prize with the Megaplier option are the same as without it
- The probability of the Megaplier being 2X is 1 in 3
- The probability of the Megaplier being 5X is 1 in 15
- The odds of winning a prize of $1 million or more are approximately 1 in 12.6 million
Interpretation
In a world where the odds of scoring a Mega Millions jackpot are as slim as finding a needle in a haystack made of needles, it's a breath of fresh air to know that matching just the Mega Ball is a somewhat achievable feat – akin to stumbling upon a four-leaf clover while blindfolded. However, before you start fantasizing about that luxurious yacht you'll buy with your $1 million prize, remember that statistically speaking, your chances of winning big are like a high-stakes dance with Lady Luck herself – a tantalizing mix of math and magic where the odds are as fickle as the wind. So, as you ponder your lucky numbers and contemplate your odds, may the Megaplier gods shine upon you favorably, because in this world of numbers, anything is possible – well, almost anything.