The Main Rules of the Game
Playing the Mega Millions lottery is extremely simple. You have to choose five main numbers from a 1 to 75 guess range, and then a Mega Ball, which is a special number that you choose from a 1 to 15 guess range. Remember to put in your ticket before the draw closes and you will get a chance to scoop some fantastic prizes.
If you manage to guess all six numbers in the game, you will win the fabulous Mega Millions jackpot, which is always worth exceptional amounts. Even the minimum amount is a whopping $15,000,000, but it can get so much higher than that. The running jackpot record for the Mega Millions is $646,000,000. Match the five main numbers and you are eligible for the spectacular $1,000,000 second prize.
The Mega Millions MegaPlier
In the USA Mega Millions, you get a special chance to boost your winnings tremendously. When filling out your ticket, you can choose the Megaplier option, which gives you the opportunity to increase any secondary prizes that you may win 2, 3, 4, or even 5 times.
How does the Megaplier work? It’s extremely simple. All you have to do is check the Megaplier box on your ticket, which will entail a minor fee. However, this is well worth paying because it gives you the opportunity to win even more.
After the winning Mega Millions numbers are drawn, the officials will also randomly select the Megaplier from a guess range of 1 to 5. The drawn Megaplier determines how much the secondary prizes are increased for players who have paid for this multiplier option.
Unfortunately, the multipiler will not increase the amount of the Mega Millions jackpot, but what it will do is increase all secondary prizes, including the enormous $1,000,000 second prize 2, 3, 4, or even 5 times.
The Mega Millions Jackpot
The USA Mega Millions offers one of the most attractive jackpots in the entire lottery industry. Its only solid rivals remain the US Powerball and the EuroMillions. The jackpot always starts out at a minimum $15,000,000, but then, if there are no jackpot winner on that draw, the amount of the first prize is increased by $5,000,000 for the upcoming one.
Another amazing fact about the Mega Millions jackpot is that there is no limit to how high it can get. As there is no established cap for this lottery jackpot, the first prize will get larger and larger until one or more players finally get all six of the winning numbers.
The largest jackpot in Mega Millions history was worth $656,000,000 and it was won back in 2012. It is actually the second largest jackpot in the entire history of the lottery. It was surpassed only by the spectacular $1,580,000,000 jackpot in the US Powerball.
The following jackpots in the Mega Millions hall of fame are also very impressive, with $648,000,000 for the runner-up and $400,000,000 for the third spot on the list. As you can see, the potential of the Mega Millions jackpot is limitless!
The Fabulous Secondary Prizes in the Mega Millions
While the Mega Millions jackpot is simply impossible to ignore, the secondary prizes in the game are also well worth your attention. Guessing all of the main numbers, but not the Mega Ball will still make you a millionaire, so don’t overlook this amazing prize!
If you choose the Megaplier as well, those five main numbers could get you $2,000,000, $3,000,000, $4,000,000 or even $5,000,000, so remember to check the multiplier box on your ticket because it will make a sizable difference.
The third prize in the Mega Millions is worth $5,000 and it goes to players who guess four of the main numbers and the Mega Ball. Then, the fourth prize, which goes to players who match four of the main numbers only, is worth a fixed amount of $500.
There are nine prize tiers in total, including the jackpot. Even if you only guess the Mega Ball, you can still win a symbolic $1 prize, which you can then use to pay your Megaplier fee for the next Mega Millions draw!
Your Odds of Winning the Mega Millions
As this is one of the most popular lotteries in the entire world, the odds of scooping those amazing prizes are quite high. However, considering the extravagant amount of the Mega Millions prizes, taking a chance on this amazing lottery is definitely worth the effort.
According to the latest stats, you have a 1 in 258,890,850 chance of actually winning the Mega Millions jackpot, and a 1 in 18,492,204 chance of winning the $1,000,000 second prize. As we go further down the prize tier list, the odds of winning get better and better.
You stand a 1 in 739,688 chance of winning the $5,000 third prize and a 1 in 52,835 chance of getting the $500 fourth prize. As for the symbolic ninth tier prize, each ticket will provide you with a 1 in 21 chance of winning that.
When Is the Mega Millions Draw?
You get two chances every single week to win the fabulous Mega Millions prizes. The draws for the game are held every Tuesday and Friday at 23:00 EST sharp and there is a brand-new jackpot there for the taking every time.
Make sure you get your tickets before the cut-off time and your lottery dreams could come true with the USA Mega Millions lottery! Good luck!