MA Powerball Players Hoping For The Big One Tonight

The biggest Powerball jackpot in nearly eight months is up for grabs Wednesday night. The Lottery said Jan. 22's drawing is for an estimated $343 million, with an estimated cash option of $233.3 million.

It's the largest Powerball jackpot since a $344.6 million prize was won June 1 on a ticket sold in North Carolina. The jackpot has been building for 23 plays, ever since Nov. 2's $150 million jackpot hit on a ticket sold in California.

Powerball tickets can be purchased for $2 util 9:50 p.m. at lottery retailers around Massachusetts. You can find out where to play near you here.

A Swampscott man came a Powerball number away from winning the whole thing this month. Rory Richards hit all five numbers on his way to $1 million, but missed on the Powerball. Richards, who bought the winner at a 7-Eleven in Marblehead, played a combination of family birthdays and ages for the win.

Speaking of winning tickets, the Lottery recently said three Mass Cash winning tickets worth $100,000 are going to expire in February. One was purchased Feb. 3 at a Hyannis convenience store (9 22 23 26 30) and the other two were purchased Feb. 26 at a New Bedford Sunoco and a Dracut convenience store ( (10 14 16 26 29.) Tickets expire a year after the drawing.

If Mega Millions is more your speed, the estimated jackpot for Friday night's drawing is $130 million, with an estimated cash option of $88.1 million.