When choosing a lottery you want to participate in, the first thing you need to do is compare the size of the jackpot . This means you don’t have to play Mega Millions or Powerball all the time (although their jackpots are among the biggest most of the time, you should always check all current jackpots!).
Assuming the price you pay per ticket is a constant, the logic dictates that the higher the jackpot amount , the higher your chances . It is not about the mathematical probabilities of choosing the correct five main numbers plus the additional numbers required – even those odds are a constant – defined by the lottery configuration itself. We’re talking about what you might call your expected value : how much you earn IF you win. And this depends on the size of the jackpot. So it’s the size of the jackpot relative to your expense for a ticket that matters .
How big are the Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots for the next draw?
On our site you can easily check the current jackpot size in the right column. This column lists all available jackpots, for all lotteries in the world. So, if there is another lottery today that offers a higher jackpot than Powerball or Mega Millions, then you should choose that lottery and buy a ticket. You can always go back and get a Powerball ticket one more time. Or, if you’re planning on winning Mega Millions , why not buy more tickets, both for the current highest jackpot and Mega Millions?
Some international lotteries may not have jackpots the same size as large US lotteries, but mainly there is a reason for this: their odds of getting the right numbers for the higher tier price are more favorable, which is why the jackpots come won more frequently and never enter the 200 million range. But that also means for you that winning big isn’t all that long, which could work to your advantage.
You have the option to book your ticket for multiple draws
Once the Powerball jackpot, for example, has reached a certain amount (like $ 300 million or more), more players take the chance and buy tickets. Once started, it is not uncommon for the jackpot to increase by $ 100 million from drawing to drawing. Remember, the highest jackpot in history was over $ 1.5 billion! Also, keep in mind that we offer discounts for purchasing multiple tickets, so choosing the option to cover multiple draws is also a good decision from an economic point of view.
That said, making sure you have a ticket for the next draw and the next draw is a great idea. You don’t want your ticket to expire before the jackpot has peaked and is resolved! Imagine your winning numbers could only be drawn the week after you decide not to renew your ticket – that would be a disaster!
To sum it up, always betting on the current Powerball and / or Mega Millions jackpot makes absolutely no sense. Check the list of our lotteries and find out what the highest jackpot is today and try it!