Mega Millions players could ring in the recent year as a billionaire if the odds are in their favor.

Just a few hours away of the Friday, Dec. 27 drawing, the jackpot is worth an estimated $1.22 billion. If the lucky winner chooses the funds alternative, they can receive home $549.7 million, the lottery said.

The last period someone won a Mega Millions jackpot was back in September. A Texas player won the $810 million prize. Another lucky player won $1.128 billion in March. On Dec. 23, the recent Jersey player claimed their prize. The largest lottery jackpot in Mega Millions history was a $1.602 billion prize from one winning ticket in Florida in August 2023.

With the jackpot continuing to rise, more people are trying their luck at the game. If no one wins tonight’s jackpot, the grand prize will continue to develop until a winner is declared.

Ready to try your luck? Here’s a navigator on how to play Mega Millions.

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What period is the Mega Millions drawing?

Mega Millions drawings are every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. ET. The next drawing is Friday, Dec. 27.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

What are the top 10 Mega Millions jackpots?  

According to the lottery, the following jackpots are the top 10 jackpots that have been won as of Dec. 27:  

1. $1.602 billion, Aug. 8, 2023; a Florida player  
2. $1.537 billion, Oct. 23, 2018; a South Carolina player  
3. $1.348 billion, Jan.13, 2023; a Maine player  
4. $1.337 billion, July 29, 2022; an Illinois player  
5. $1.128 billion, March 26, 2024; a recent Jersey player 
6. $1.050 billion, Jan. 22, 2021; a Michigan player 
7. $810 million, Sept. 10, 2024; a Texas player 
8. $656 million, March 30, 2012; a player from Illinois, Kansas and Maryland 
9. $648 million, Dec. 17, 2013; a player from California and Georgia 
10. $552 million, June 4, 2024; an Illinois player

How to play Mega Millions

Mega Millions tickets expense $2 per play.

To play, pick six numbers from two divide pools of numbers: either five different numbers from 1-70 for the white numbers, and one number from 1-25 for the gold Mega Ball.

You triumph the Mega Millions jackpot by matching your numbers to all six numbers pulled in the drawing.

If you don’t desire to pick your own numbers or if you’d rather leave it up to chance, the Mega Millions has a random number generator on its website, where a computer will randomly generate options for white balls and a Mega Ball.

Players can add the “Megaplier” for $1 which can boost non-grand prize winnings by two, three, four or five. The Megapiler is drawn before the Mega Millions numbers on Tuesday and Friday.

There are 15 Megapiler balls in all:

• 2X, five balls
• 3X, six balls
• 4X, three balls
• 5X, one ball

What is the Megaplier?

Most states propose the Megaplier characteristic, a multiplier which increases non-jackpot prizes by two, three, four and five times.

It costs an additional $1 per play. Before each regular Mega Millions drawing, the Megaplier is drawn. From a pool of 15 balls, five are marked with “2X,” three with “4X” and one with “5X.”

What are the odds of winning the Mega Millions?

Your odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot are pretty slim: Just 1 in 302,575,350, according to the lottery.

The odds of winning the smaller, $1 million prize are 1 in 12,607,306.

Where to buy Mega Millions tickets

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, recent Hampshire, recent Jersey, recent Mexico, recent York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, view your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn profits for spectators referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling issue? Call 1-877-8-aspiration-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for packed terms.