Patterns on the ticket may look nice to us but they generally don't win the lottery. Stick to random numbers, use a pin or use a random number generator. But don't make patterns!
The Mega Millions Lottery draws takes place twice per week on Tuesdays and Fridays.
This lotto is a 5/56 lotto and in order to play, you need to pick five main numbers between 1 and 56 and a Mega Ball number from 1 to 46. You may choose a Mega Ball number already used for one of the main numbers as it is drawn from a different set of balls.
Match all six numbers with those drawn and you'll win the Mega Millions jackpot! There are lots of other prizes too, you can even win a prize by just matching one number (the Mega Ball).
Each time the lotto jackpot is not won, there is a rollover to the next game making the jackpots into Mega jackpots!
Up until the age of the internet and online ticket vendors, you had to be in the USA to play this multi-state lottery (or it's predessor 'The Big Game'). Not any more! Now, thanks to the wonders of internet technology, anyone can play the Mega Millions online from anywhere in the world. This is done by using an online lottery ticket agent such as 'theLotter'.
| 1st Prize 5 balls + Mega Ball | 1:175,711,536 |
| 2nd Prize 5 balls | 1:3,904,701 |
| 3rd Prize 4 balls + Mega Ball | 1:689,065 |
| 4th Prize 4 balls | 1:15,313 |
| 5th Prize 3 balls + Mega Ball | 1:13,781 |
| 6th Prize 3 balls | 1:306 |
| 7th Prize 2 balls + Mega Ball | 1:844 |
| 8th Prize 1 ball + Mega Ball | 1:141 |
| 9th Prize 0 balls + Mega Ball | 1:75 |
But really, the only way to increase your chances is to buy more tickets.
Related:
Random number generator
Illinois Mega Millions Winner Comes Forward
Powerball Rolls to an estimated $131 Million
Powerball Jackpot Estimated at $94 Million
Who Won the Highest Mega Millions Jackpot Ever?
Health Lottery Results for Saturday 31st March 2012