The Mega Millions is a multi-state lottery game in the United States. It is drawn every Tuesday and Friday evening at 11 p.m. Eastern Time. Players pick six numbers from two separate pools: 5 numbers from 1 to 70 and 1 number from 1 to 25. To win the Mega Millions jackpot, you must match all six winning numbers. The next drawing of the Mega Millions will be on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 11 p.m. ET.
When are the Mega Millions drawings held?
The Mega Millions drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday evening at 11 p.m. Eastern Time. Here is the schedule for the upcoming Mega Millions drawings:
| Drawing Date | Day of Week |
|---|---|
| October 17, 2023 | Tuesday |
| October 20, 2023 | Friday |
| October 24, 2023 | Tuesday |
| October 27, 2023 | Friday |
| October 31, 2023 | Tuesday |
As you can see, the drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday evening at 11 p.m. ET. The next drawing is on Tuesday, October 17, 2023.
Where can I view the Mega Millions drawings?
There are a few ways you can view the live Mega Millions drawings:
- On television – Many local TV stations across the country broadcast the drawings live. Check your local listings for the channel and time in your area.
- Online – The Mega Millions website (www.megamillions.com) streams the drawing live. You can also find recap videos after the drawing.
- Mega Millions YouTube channel – The lottery has a YouTube channel that live streams the drawings and posts the replays.
- Lottery websites – State lottery websites like New York Lottery (nylottery.ny.gov) and California Lottery (calottery.com) provide live and replay videos of the drawings.
- Mobile app – Some state lottery apps like Jackpocket allow you to watch the drawings on your phone.
Be sure to check ahead of time where you can tune in, so you don’t miss the big reveal of the winning numbers!
How are the Mega Millions numbers drawn?
The Mega Millions drawing is done with physical ball machines and numbered balls at the WSB-TV studios in Atlanta, Georgia. Two separate drawing machines are used – one for the 5 white balls and another for the gold Mega Ball.
Here is how the drawing process works:
- Prior to each drawing, the ball sets are inspected, tested, measured, and weighed by an independent auditor to ensure proper working condition.
- The 5 white balls are loaded into the first machine. This machine holds 70 balls numbered 1 through 70.
- The gold Mega Ball is loaded into the second machine. This machine holds 25 balls numbered 1 through 25.
- Air is blown into the machines to mix up the balls.
- The first machine randomly shoots out the first 5 winning white balls.
- Then the second machine ejects the Mega Ball.
- An offsite observer and auditor oversees the whole process to ensure fairness.
The lottery machines and ball sets are routinely inspected and tested by third-party agencies to guarantee proper functioning and randomness. This ensures every Mega Millions drawing is fair and secure.
What are the odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot?
The odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot grand prize by matching all 5 white balls plus the Mega Ball are a staggering 1 in 302,575,350. This makes matching all 6 numbers extremely difficult!
Here are the odds for other Mega Millions prizes:
| Prize | Match | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Jackpot | 5 white balls + Mega Ball | 1 in 302,575,350 |
| $1 million | 5 white balls | 1 in 12,607,306 |
| $10,000 | 4 white balls + Mega Ball | 1 in 931,001 |
| $500 | 4 white balls | 1 in 38,792 |
| $200 | 3 white balls + Mega Ball | 1 in 14,547 |
| $10 | 3 white balls | 1 in 606 |
| $10 | 2 white balls + Mega Ball | 1 in 693 |
| $4 | 1 white ball + Mega Ball | 1 in 89 |
| $2 | Mega Ball only | 1 in 37 |
As you can see, coming away with some kind of prize is fairly common, but matching that elusive jackpot is a true long shot. Still, someone has to win eventually!
What was the largest Mega Millions jackpot ever?
The current record holder for the largest Mega Millions jackpot was a massive $1.537 billion prize won on October 23, 2018. The lucky ticket was sold in South Carolina at the KC Mart convenience store in Simpsonville.
One player matched all 6 numbers to take home the grand prize, which had rolled over 25 times before being won. The cash option was $877.8 million. At the time, it was the largest lottery prize ever won on a single ticket worldwide!
Here are the top 5 record Mega Millions jackpots to date:
| Jackpot | Date Won | Winning Numbers |
|---|---|---|
| $1.537 billion | 10/23/2018 | 5, 28, 62, 65, 70 + 5 |
| $1.050 billion | 1/22/2021 | 10, 19, 26, 28, 50 + 16 |
| $656 million | 3/30/2012 | 2, 4, 23, 38, 46 + 23 |
| $648 million | 12/17/2013 | 8, 14, 17, 20, 39 + 7 |
| $543 million | 7/24/2018 | 1, 2, 4, 19, 29 + 20 |
Will a new record jackpot be set in the upcoming October 17th drawing or in the near future? Playing the Mega Millions gives you a chance to find out!
What are the most common Mega Millions numbers?
Certain numbers tend to occur more frequently in the Mega Millions drawings over the long run. These are considered the hot numbers that many players like to include on their tickets.
According to statistics through September 2022, here are the most common numbers drawn in the Mega Millions:
- 14 – Drawn 116 times
- 7 – Drawn 114 times
- 17 – Drawn 112 times
- 10 – Drawn 110 times
- 31 – Drawn 109 times
- 4 – Drawn 108 times
- 21 – Drawn 106 times
- 70 – Drawn 105 times
And for the Mega Ball, the number most often picked is number 22, which has been drawn 51 times through September 2022.
Of course hot numbers are never a guarantee in lottery drawings which are random. But some players like to include them hoping lightning will strike again!
What are the most overdue Mega Millions numbers?
While certain numbers get drawn more often over time, other numbers can go many drawings without being picked. These are considered the overdue numbers by some lottery players.
Based on stats through September 2022, here are the Mega Millions numbers that have been most overdue for a drawing:
- 46 – Not drawn in 34 drawings
- 54 – Not drawn in 31 drawings
- 63 – Not drawn in 31 drawings
- 49 – Not drawn in 28 drawings
- 65 – Not drawn in 27 drawings
And for the Mega Ball, the most overdue is number 6 which hasn’t been drawn in the last 62 drawings.
While past drawing results never predict the future numbers, some people like to play these long overdue numbers hoping their time may be coming up soon. But of course every number still has an equal probability of being chosen in each drawing.
Should you only play the most common and overdue numbers?
While it can be fun to play the hot and overdue numbers, a balanced strategy is recommended when playing the Mega Millions. Relying solely on past drawing frequencies is not a good approach because each drawing is completely random and independent of previous results.
The most effective strategy is to choose a mix of numbers across the number field. Here are some tips for picking balanced numbers:
- Play a mix of odd and even numbers
- Play a mix of low and high numbers
- Don’t pick all numbers from just one number group
- Include some pairs or triples of adjacent numbers
- Consider quick pick numbers for randomness
- Try to cover all number groups in your picks
Covering a wide range of numbers gives you a more balanced ticket with better coverage across the number field. Though hot and overdue numbers can be included on your ticket, having a variety of different numbers is recommended. A balanced approach like this makes it easier to catch those randomly drawn winning numbers!
What are some common lucky numbers played in Mega Millions?
In addition to hot numbers based on drawing frequencies, some players also like to play certain “lucky” numbers that have special meaning to them on their Mega Millions tickets. Some numbers that are commonly considered lucky are:
- 7 – Lucky 7 is considered fortunate in many cultures. It’s the most commonly played number overall.
- 13 – Despite being unlucky for some, it’s on many tickets.
- Family birthdays – Using loved ones birthdays is a popular choice.
- Anniversary dates – Wedding and anniversary dates are considered lucky.
- Ages of family members – Ages and years born are often played.
- Addresses – Using your home or other favorite addresses.
- Repetitive numbers – 111, 222, 777 and other repeats are seen as auspicious.
Remember that any set of numbers has an equal chance of winning in Mega Millions. But playing numbers with special significance can make the game more fun and meaningful for many lottery players!
Should you play consecutive numbers on your ticket?
Some players like to play consecutive numbers that run sequentially on their Mega Millions tickets. Examples are 45-46-47-48-49 or 1-2-3-4-5.
The advantage of consecutive numbers is they guarantee you will match either the 2-number front pair or 2-number back pair if the first 5 or last 4 balls drawn are in sequence.
However, consecutive numbers are not generally advised strategy. Here are some downsides:
- Having sequences means you are not playing a balanced ticket.
- Consecutive numbers represent just a small portion of the possible combinations.
- It’s highly unlikely for several sequential balls to be drawn together.
- You may have to share the prize if multiple people played the same sequence.
While consecutive numbers can occasionally win, like 11-12-13-14-15 in the New Jersey Pick-6, a more varied combination is recommended for better number coverage and prizes. But playing consecutive once in a while can make the game extra exciting!
Should you buy multiple tickets to increase your chances?
With the extremely long odds of 1 in over 300 million, having multiple tickets in the Mega Millions can certainly help increase your chances compared to playing just one ticket.
Some strategies when playing multiple tickets include:
- Play 2-4 tickets instead of just one to multiply your chances.
- Play a mix of quick pick and your own number picks.
- Vary your number selections across tickets to maximize coverage.
- Consider pool tickets to get more number combinations.
However, playing responsibly is key. Never spend more than you can afford on lottery tickets. Having a lottery budget is recommended so you play within your means.
In the end, good fortune ultimately determines a jackpot winner. But playing smart can help make you a little luckier!
Conclusion
The next Mega Millions drawing is coming up on Tuesday, October 17th at 11 p.m Eastern Time. Tickets can be purchased until 10:45 p.m. ET on the night of the draw. You can check the Mega Millions website after the drawing to see if there was a grand prize winner and the numbers selected.
The jackpot currently starts at $20 million and rolls over each drawing until someone matches all 6 numbers. Gigantic jackpots like the current record $1.537 billion are exciting to play for. Understanding the game odds, rules, drawing details, and some number picking strategies can help you be a smarter Mega Millions player.
With a little luck, maybe you will hit it big and take home the next massive jackpot! Good luck and remember to play responsibly.
