Mega Millions Jackpot Tops $512M: Michigan’s Lucky Stores

Start dreaming. The Mega Millions lottery game jackpot has soared to $512 million, with a cash payout of $303.4 million. In Michigan and others, players are grabbing up tickets, which could send the prize even higher, based on the history of the game.

Speaking of history, we wanted to take a look at where luck has struck around Michigan before. Here are some of the luckiest retailers in the state, having sold winning mega millions tickets previously (It could happen again, right?):

• 7-Eleven 15116 (Waterford): $21.5 million
• Admiral Petroleum #5872 (Chesaning): $5 million
• Ladd's & Co (Muskegon): $1 million
• Hall and Hayes BP (Macomb): $1 million
• 7-Eleven 19262 (Melvindale): $1 million

Drawings are held at 11 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Tickets for the game cost $2, or $3 with the Megaplier option. Players pick five numbers from 1-70, then pick a Mega Ball number between 1-25. They can choose “easy pick” at the retailer and the terminal will choose the number. Players win when they match all six numbers.

The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350. The overall chances of winning any prize are 1 in 24.

If you don’t win the jackpot, there are other ways to win:

• Match five numbers, but not the Mega Ball: $1 million prize (odds: 1 in 12,607,306);
• Match four numbers and the Mega Ball: $10,000 prize (odds: 1 in 931,001);
• Match four numbers but not the Mega Ball: $500 prize (odds: 1 in 38,792);
• Match three numbers and the Mega Ball: $200 prize (odds: 1 in 14,547);
• Match three numbers but not the Mega Ball: $10 prize (odds: 1 in 606);
• Match two numbers and the Mega Ball: $10 prize (odds: 1 in 693);
• Match one number and the Mega Ball: $4 prize (odds: 1 in 89);
• Match the Mega Ball only: Prize, $2 (Odds: 1 in 37).

More information is found on the Mega Millions website.

Come back to Patch Tuesday night for the winning numbers.

Photo Illustration by Scott Olson/Getty Images