7 hot questions about the Mega Millions lottery answered

All eyes are on the Mega Millions draw on Tuesday night, with a historic $ 1.6 billion jackpot.

But before you start planning the purchase of a yacht before a jet, there are a few things to know about the game and your chances of winning.

1. How many combinations of numbers are there?

Odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350, but there may be more than one winning ticket.

People can have the same ticket number. Someone might randomly choose the lucky numbers, while a different person might choose the numbers intentionally.

2. Can you increase your chances of winning by buying more tickets? Or join an office pool?

If you buy a lottery ticket, it means that you have a 1 in 302 575 350 chance of winning the jackpot. If you buy more tickets, you have more chances to win. For example, buying 10 different tickets means that you have 10 chances to win – but that still only represents one chance out of 10.

Other people who have the same numbers as you do not affect your chances of winning, but it would affect the payout if you won.

Seth Elkin, a spokesperson for Maryland Lottery and Gaming, said he enjoyed great popularity.

"We see many groups of colleagues, friends or family members pooling their money to buy tickets, which is fun and allows people to enjoy drawing with those around them," Elkin told ABC News. .

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3. Are there any tips for winning?

According to officials, there are none.

"There are all kinds of fun ways to think about the jackpot, and everyone is always trying to find a trick to win, but there is not one. There are 302 million possible combinations of numbers, and just have one that is drawn, "Elkin said.

4. Is it better to choose your own numbers or let the machine choose for you?

It's probably not serious.

"We do not have statistics on the number of jackpots won with quick-select numbers or those that the winners have selected. But it really does not make any difference. Again, there are 302 million combinations and just have the right one, "Elkin said.

5. If you win, is it better to choose the option in cash or annuity?

It is impossible to say with certainty that one solution is "better" than the other because the circumstances are different.

One thing is certain: with the jackpot of $ 1.6 billion Tuesday night, the amount a winner will win at home will be different if he chooses the immediate withdrawal option or if he opts for the annuity when the money is paid in installments over several years.

The withdrawal option means that the winner will receive an estimated lump sum of $ 904 million, while the person who opts for the annuity will receive $ 1.6 billion over 30 years.

"A winner who chooses the cash option will receive a payment, the applicable federal and state tax deductions will automatically be made, and then the winner will be responsible for the income statement in his or her annual tax return," he said. said Elkin.

With the current jackpot of $ 1.6 billion, the first annuity payment would rise to $ 24 million and the amount of payments would gradually increase to $ 99 million over 30 years.

"Most people, however, opt for cash," said Carole Bober Gentry, spokeswoman for Maryland Lottery and Mega Millions.

6. What can you win if you do not win the jackpot?

You can always win other prizes!

If you get the first five numbers of the winning ticket, you win $ 1 million. And if you choose to spend $ 1 more to get a Megaplier ticket, your winnings will be multiplied by five and you will get $ 5 million.

If you get the first four digits and the last digit, you win $ 10,000, which can then be increased to $ 50,000 with a Megaplier ticket.

As the number of matching numbers on a given ticket decreases, the payment decreases to $ 500, $ 200, $ 10, $ 4, and $ 2.

7. Which states had the biggest lottery winners?

According to data compiled by the makers of Mega Millions, the nine largest jackpots of Mega Millions in the United States were spread over 14 tickets. Florida.

In four of the nine largest prizes, there were several winners. In the highest jackpot to date, $ 656 million in 2012, three winners came from three different states.