Key Highlights
- No one won the jackpot on October 21 drawing.
- The next drawing on Friday is expected to reach $680 million.
- Players can win by matching five white balls and the gold ball for a second-tier prize of $3 million.
- Odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 290 million, with overall chances of any prize being 1 in 23.
Latest Mega Millions Draw Results and Future Jackpot
The latest Mega Millions drawing on Tuesday, October 21, saw the winning numbers as follows: 2, 18, 27, 34, and 59 with the gold Mega ball being 18. Unfortunately, no one managed to match all six numbers for the jackpot prize. However, a ticket sold in Illinois matched the five white balls plus the Megaplier option, securing an impressive second-tier prize of $3 million.
The jackpot is now estimated to grow to approximately $680 million by Friday’s drawing, with a cash alternative valued at around $318.2 million. This upcoming draw could potentially make it the ninth-largest jackpot in the history of Mega Millions since its inception in 2002.
How Players Can Win and the Odds
To participate in the game, players must select six numbers from two distinct pools: five different numbers between 1-70 for the white balls and one number ranging from 1 to 25 as the gold Mega ball. The cost of a single ticket is $2. Players have multiple ways to win, with varying prize levels based on matching specific combinations:
- Matching all six numbers wins the jackpot (estimated at around $680 million for this drawing).
- A five-number match plus the Mega ball (known as “3X”) is worth $1 million.
- Matching four numbers with the Mega ball can earn a player $10,000.
The odds of winning the jackpot are extremely low, standing at 1 in 292 million.
However, the overall chance of securing any prize is slightly higher, approximately 1 in 23. Players can enhance their chances by opting for the Megaplier feature, which multiplies non-jackpot prizes but comes with an additional $1 cost per play.
Next Steps and Where to Buy Tickets
The next Mega Millions drawing is scheduled for Friday at 11 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). Players are encouraged to check their tickets after this drawing as the jackpot could potentially increase significantly if no one wins the main prize.
The game is available in 47 localities across 45 states, plus the District of Columbia and U.S. Virgin Islands.
For those interested in purchasing Mega Millions tickets, various options are available. In Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana, residents can buy them at gas stations, convenience stores, and supermarkets until 10:45 p.m. on drawing night. Ohio residents also have the option to purchase through the Lottery Card system, which allows consumers to enter draw games using their smartphones and receive notifications for potential winnings.
