Mega Millions Jackpot Skyrockets: Deadline, Winning Numbers & Expert Tips You Can’t Miss

Mega Millions fever is spiking again: the multistate lottery’s jackpot has ballooned to an estimated $754 million—$352.8 million lump-sum cash—for the special Halloween drawing on Friday, Oct. 31. The pot swelled after no ticket matched all six numbers in Tuesday night’s pull of 2-19-33-53-61 and Mega Ball 14. Why this jackpot matters • At $754 million, it’s the largest Mega Millions prize ever offered on Halloween and ranks among the top 10 in game history. • The pot has been rolling since June 27, when a $348 million ticket was sold in Virginia. In the 35 drawings since, players have collected more than 10.5 million lower-tier prizes totaling roughly $251 million. Key details for Friday’s drawing • Draw time: 11 p.m. ET (sales cutoffs vary by state, often 15 minutes–1 hour prior). • Ticket price: $5, which now automatically includes a random multiplier (2X–10X) for non-jackpot prizes. • Overall odds: 1 in 23 for any prize; 1 in 290,472,336 for the jackpot. How to play 1. Pick five white balls (1–70) and one gold Mega Ball (1–24). 2. Opt for Quick Pick to let the terminal choose for you. 3. Check whether your state lottery app or a courier like Jackpocket is available if you prefer to purchase digitally. 4. Decide between the advertised 30-year annuity or the $352.8 million cash option if you win. Recent rule tweaks boosting excitement • Matching five white balls now pays at least $2 million, up from $1 million, and can rise to $10 million with the multiplier. • The minimum starting jackpot jumped to $50 million, helping totals climb faster. • Reducing Mega Ball numbers from 25 to 24 nudged jackpot odds slightly in players’ favor. Historic context Mega Millions has produced seven jackpots exceeding $1 billion, with the record $1.602 billion score in Florida (Aug. 2023). While Friday’s prize isn’t quite at that level, it lands squarely in “life-changing” territory and could break into the all-time top tier if rollovers continue. Tips before you play • Double-check local deadline times—late purchases are the most common mistake cited by lottery officials. • Sign the back of your ticket immediately; it’s a bearer instrument. • If lightning strikes, consult financial and legal professionals before claiming. Some states allow winners to stay anonymous, others don’t. Bottom line With a spooky-season jackpot of $754 million on the line, Friday’s Mega Millions drawing is set to draw massive national attention. Whether you’re a casual player chasing Halloween luck or a seasoned lottery regular, now’s the moment to secure your ticket, dream big, and tune in at 11 p.m. ET to see if the ghosts of chance deliver a treat instead of a trick.