By Todd Northrop
Lottery players across the United States will be lining up at lottery retailers for their chance to win Friday's massive $270 million Mega Millions jackpot, after nobody won Tuesday's $240 million grand prize.
The cash value stands at a staggering $151 million.
Friday's Mega Millions jackpot is the accumulation of 17 consecutive drawings without a top prize winner. The current jackpot run-up started on January 7 as a $15 million grand prize.
Players should note that jackpot amounts are conservative estimates provided by the lotteries, and are often somewhat higher by the time the drawing occurs.
In the latest Mega Millions drawing that took place this past Tuesday night, there was no jackpot winner, but 3 lucky players from California matched the first 5 numbers for a second-prize win. But instead of the normal $1 million prize associated with a second-prize win, the 3 California winners will each be able to claim a $421,804 prize. That's because California awards all prizes on a pari-mutuel basis, meaning the prizes will change each drawing based on the number of tickets sold and the number of tickets that won at each prize level.
A total of 76 tickets matched four of the first five numbers plus the Mega Ball to win a $5,000 prize. Of those tickets, 14 were sold in California, where the prize awarded this drawing is $3,427.
The Mega Millions winning numbers for Tuesday, March 4, 2014, were 10, 29, 31, 35, and 45, with Mega Ball number 10. The Megaplier number was 2.
Following the Tuesday drawing, the Mega Millions annuity jackpot estimate was raised $30 million from its previous amount of $240 million. The cash value was raised by $17.3 million, from its previous amount of $133.7 million.
Mega Millions is currently offered for sale in 43 states, plus Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 pm Eastern Time. Tickets cost $1 each.
A 44th Mega Millions state may be added in early 2014, as the state of Wyoming has approved a new state lottery with the intention of joining multi-state lottery games. (See Wyoming officially becomes 44th state with a lottery, Lottery Post, Mar. 14, 2013.)
The Mega Millions winning numbers are published at USA Mega (www.usamega.com) minutes after the drawing takes place.
I'll get some tickets this morning, $151m works for me
:)
We are still waiting for our first Mega Millions Jackpot in Pennsylvania!
This one would be great!
$270 Million Woo Hoo
I'm in! $151+ million cash, less government confiscation... I can live off that, quit my day job, etc etc.
Hoping we have a single ticket winner!!!!
Annuity option all the way. It went above the $250mil mark. I can live with $3,047,916 the first year in WA after federal, no state tax. That's all I need.
3/6/14
With the odds of getting attacked by a shark better than hitting the jackpot, still think it's worth a try.
The elusive pursuit of the big jackpot. It keeps us optimistic players coming back for more.
Now to get some of those N.J. Pick 6 tickets for today's drawing, with the Jackpot of $7M. It's not "chump change", in my dictionary of finance.
The Four Leaf clover is a symbol of Faith, Hope, Love, and Luck. Think I'll place mine over my tickets. As if superstition, had anything to do with winning the Jackpot. As Groucho Marx would say about giving chicken soup to a dead patient, "It can't hurt."
Luck is " A force that brings good fortune or adversity; or circumstances that operate for or against an individual; favoring chance." to quote Webster's Dictionary, Ninth Edition.
Good Luck coming to some player(s) eventually, this year. "It only takes a buck to try your luck.
Anyone willing to debate that Good Luck does not exist?
- "With the odds of getting attacked by a sharK..." CHECK! Several.
Hoping to win the jackpot now.
Keep on rolling!.......
Don't like the ocean and will never be going into it, No shark attacks here....odds of winning the lotto are in my favor...√
Hey...That 151(million) ??? isn't that also a certain "proof" on a certain rum beverage ??? Just sayin
11-11 Make a wish.....
I agree with many here. $151 million cash will work for me as well!
Any bets yet on what state will win it? I bet on california. Then they will have won 3 jackpots in a row in a short time.
Lets keep the streak going Cali!
Even though I got my ticket, I still think the jackpot will roll again. Next Tuesday, we will be in +$300 million territory!
I won't lose any sleep if there is a winner in Texas and it's me.....Course, I will feel bad for the rest of ya
If I don't win it, someone in California can. It's hilarious how everyone complains. .......
I just bought a ticket and it is worth $270 million for now
One of these days, i'm just going to surprise everyone and take the Annunity instead of the Lump Sum!!! : ))
No, it's unhilariously suspicious how california keeps winning consistently. Something isn't right.
Cant wait to be one of these Lucky Fellows. One day. One Day. Sooner rather than later i suggest!!
www.megamillions.com/winners-gallery
You could be the next winner!
Oh mightwin you have no idea how sweet that would be. It would be glorious. Same to you my friend, be sure to get your ticket and stay in the mix...you never know right. lol!!!
Got my golden ticket here. I'm hoping Cali's winning streak continues but if I win, I'm moving to another state.
New York has lots of players. Won't be surprised if they have a winner,this time around.
ABC (Anybody But California)
But a Texas winner would be preferred, especially if it was one of my lines.
Yes, Texas could be next... and with so many states now offering the Mega Game, won't be surprised if someone in one of the lesser populated states hits it big.
We could even have more than one winner of the Jackpot in multiple states. Good Luck to You.
Everything is bigger in Texas...Including ppl's Ego's
Hey now. Be nice. Karma and all that.
Creeping higher....$309 million.
Yay! keep on rolling until my number comes out
My time will come when the jackpot reaches $1 billion.
It'll be about $300 million for the lump sum after taxes but still a-okay as long as I remain anonymous.
LOL With given acceptions like Ms Piaceri's
hers is triple sized hehehehe