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Omaha Steve

(99,073 posts)
Wed Oct 17, 2018, 07:31 AM Oct 2018

Mega Millions jackpot jumps to $868 million, second-largest in US history

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by NH Ethylene (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: USA Today

Doyle Rice,

Bad news: You didn't win the Mega Millions jackpot.

Good news: You'll have another chance to strike it rich on Friday night.

There was no winning ticket in Tuesday night's record $667 million Mega Millions game, pushing the jackpot to an estimated $868 million, the second-largest in U.S. lottery history. Tuesday's winning numbers were 3, 45, 49, 61, 69 and Mega Ball 9.

While nobody matched all six numbers, the California Lottery tweeted Tuesday night that one ticket sold in San Francisco matched five numbers.

FULL story at link below.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2018/10/16/mega-millions-powerball-odds-winning-jackpot/1656732002/

23 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Mega Millions jackpot jumps to $868 million, second-largest in US history (Original Post) Omaha Steve Oct 2018 OP
I will have to try again! Sherman A1 Oct 2018 #1
What kind of doughnuts? Achilleaze Oct 2018 #3
It would be your choice of course Sherman A1 Oct 2018 #6
Classy Achilleaze Oct 2018 #7
I am counting on your thoughts and prayers Sherman A1 Oct 2018 #12
If you win you could buy the donut shop! No need to go half way on this! Canoe52 Oct 2018 #16
The first number on my ticket was "3". Then I looked at the other numbers. TreasonousBastard Oct 2018 #2
That's just obscene mucifer Oct 2018 #4
Well, I guess I will buy my one lottery ticket for the year melm00se Oct 2018 #5
Obscene, indeed. cvoogt Oct 2018 #8
I'm playing, because ... aggiesal Oct 2018 #9
To bad that's not the real jackpot but they can use those numbers....... Bengus81 Oct 2018 #10
It's $2.00 and some hope Sherman A1 Oct 2018 #13
Still better than a poke in the eye TexasBushwhacker Oct 2018 #15
I would take the annuity. IrishEyes Oct 2018 #19
I would probably lump sum it and put it into 3 or 4 different countries around the world. cstanleytech Oct 2018 #22
The lotto: an apt example that Americans have the absolute right to be as stupid as we want. LanternWaste Oct 2018 #11
Someone has to win TexasBushwhacker Oct 2018 #14
No bigger waste of money than golfing,fishing etc.......... Bengus81 Oct 2018 #20
This is my night bucolic_frolic Oct 2018 #17
I bought a scratch off ticket for $1 and won $5. IrishEyes Oct 2018 #18
I will of course buy a ticket but then again I buy one for every drawing but cstanleytech Oct 2018 #21
Locking Chemisse Oct 2018 #23

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts)
1. I will have to try again!
Wed Oct 17, 2018, 07:36 AM
Oct 2018

If I win, it’s donuts 🍩 for everyone!

Achilleaze

(15,543 posts)
3. What kind of doughnuts?
Wed Oct 17, 2018, 07:54 AM
Oct 2018

I'm picky about where I direct my thoughts & prayers.

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts)
6. It would be your choice of course
Wed Oct 17, 2018, 08:12 AM
Oct 2018

I prefer them from my local donut shop, but I understand that others have different taste in this delicacy.

Achilleaze

(15,543 posts)
7. Classy
Wed Oct 17, 2018, 08:19 AM
Oct 2018

I'm all in.

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts)
12. I am counting on your thoughts and prayers
Wed Oct 17, 2018, 11:18 AM
Oct 2018

Canoe52

(2,944 posts)
16. If you win you could buy the donut shop! No need to go half way on this!
Wed Oct 17, 2018, 11:38 AM
Oct 2018

TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)
2. The first number on my ticket was "3". Then I looked at the other numbers.
Wed Oct 17, 2018, 07:53 AM
Oct 2018

mucifer

(23,374 posts)
4. That's just obscene
Wed Oct 17, 2018, 07:56 AM
Oct 2018

melm00se

(4,974 posts)
5. Well, I guess I will buy my one lottery ticket for the year
Wed Oct 17, 2018, 08:07 AM
Oct 2018

cvoogt

(949 posts)
8. Obscene, indeed.
Wed Oct 17, 2018, 09:39 AM
Oct 2018

This "civilized" country has a homelessness problem unlike most other developed countries, but sure, you have a tiny chance of becoming ultra rich, so I guess it's OK.

aggiesal

(8,864 posts)
9. I'm playing, because ...
Wed Oct 17, 2018, 10:04 AM
Oct 2018

$668 Million was just not enough to play.

Bengus81

(6,907 posts)
10. To bad that's not the real jackpot but they can use those numbers.......
Wed Oct 17, 2018, 10:29 AM
Oct 2018

Because they still laughingly offer that 20 year payment plan. No one has taken an annuity payout on those jackpots in 20+ years since they added the lump sum option but they leave it because of how much it inflates the jackpot amount.

Right now on the Mega Millions you subtract $374 MILLION by taking the lump sum payout--yeah almost half. You have to dig around on most Lottery websites to find the true payout,it sure isn't listed on my State Lottery on the home page.

Funny too how our local TV stations jump on the bandwagon and give loads of free advertising when it hits these super duper amounts,as if you couldn't get by winning a mere $300M jackpot.

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts)
13. It's $2.00 and some hope
Wed Oct 17, 2018, 11:20 AM
Oct 2018

Local TV stations give a ton of free advertising during their newscasts each day to sports either local or national, so I am thinking a story about the lottery once in awhile hardly hurts.

TexasBushwhacker

(20,044 posts)
15. Still better than a poke in the eye
Wed Oct 17, 2018, 11:29 AM
Oct 2018

The cash option is up to almost $500 Million. IRS takes their cut, knocking it down to around $300 Million. One could do a lot of good with that kind of $$$.

IrishEyes

(3,275 posts)
19. I would take the annuity.
Wed Oct 17, 2018, 02:04 PM
Oct 2018

I wouldn't want the lump sum. I would rather get payments over 20 years.

cstanleytech

(26,082 posts)
22. I would probably lump sum it and put it into 3 or 4 different countries around the world.
Wed Oct 17, 2018, 05:45 PM
Oct 2018

That way if there is any major political upsets I would have backups for my financial security and thereby reduce the risk of having to go back to living on the edge of poverty.

 

LanternWaste

(37,748 posts)
11. The lotto: an apt example that Americans have the absolute right to be as stupid as we want.
Wed Oct 17, 2018, 11:02 AM
Oct 2018

And will pay dollars a day to have our imaginations propped up by the hope of greed realized.

TexasBushwhacker

(20,044 posts)
14. Someone has to win
Wed Oct 17, 2018, 11:26 AM
Oct 2018

It's $2. Lighten up.

Bengus81

(6,907 posts)
20. No bigger waste of money than golfing,fishing etc..........
Wed Oct 17, 2018, 05:33 PM
Oct 2018

Going to a crappy movie and blowing $20 bucks.

bucolic_frolic

(42,678 posts)
17. This is my night
Wed Oct 17, 2018, 12:10 PM
Oct 2018

IrishEyes

(3,275 posts)
18. I bought a scratch off ticket for $1 and won $5.
Wed Oct 17, 2018, 02:02 PM
Oct 2018

I rarely buy scratch off and lottery tickets but I bought one yesterday and won. I cashed it in and bought a mega millions ticket for $2. I put the remaining $3 in my wallet. If I don't win the jackpot, I won't have lost any money. If I do win the jackpot, a lot of charities are going to be getting large donations.

cstanleytech

(26,082 posts)
21. I will of course buy a ticket but then again I buy one for every drawing but
Wed Oct 17, 2018, 05:40 PM
Oct 2018

I am not insane enough to buy 20 or more like some people because it would take a hell of a lot more than 20 to change the odds enough to make it worthwhile.

Chemisse

(30,793 posts)
23. Locking
Thu Oct 18, 2018, 05:24 AM
Oct 2018

This is not news of national importance.

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