The Mega Millions lottery is a popular multi-state lottery game in the United States. It is played in 45 states, as well as Washington D.C. and the U.S Virgin Islands. Mega Millions offers some of the largest jackpots in the country, often climbing into the hundreds of millions of dollars. This makes it an exciting game for lottery players across the participating states. One of the states that takes part in Mega Millions is Texas. As one of the most populated states in the country, Texas sees a significant number of Mega Millions ticket sales and winners. For those hoping to play Mega Millions in Texas, it is important to know when drawings are held.
Mega Millions Drawing Schedule
Mega Millions drawings are held two times per week, on Tuesdays and Fridays. They are held at 11:00 pm EST, so in Texas they occur at 10:00 pm local time. Here is an overview of the Mega Millions drawing schedule in Texas:
| Day of Week | Drawing Time in Texas |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 10:00 pm CST |
| Friday | 10:00 pm CST |
As shown in the table, there are two opportunities each week to play Mega Millions in Texas. Tickets can be purchased at authorized lottery retailers across the state until 10:00 pm on Tuesday and Friday nights. It is important to buy tickets before the 10:00 pm cutoff in order to be eligible for that night’s drawing.
Buying Tickets on Draw Days
On Tuesdays and Fridays when the drawings occur, it is advisable to purchase Mega Millions tickets early in the day. Ticket sales tend to surge in the evening hours as the 10:00 pm deadline approaches. Buying early allows you to avoid long lines and ensures your ticket will be purchased in time. Many players choose to buy Quick Pick tickets rather than selecting their own numbers. Quick Pick randomly generates your numbers, saving time at the retailer. You can also use the self-service ticket machines to quickly purchase your Quick Pick selections.
Advance Play Option
Texas also offers an Advance Play feature for Mega Millions. This allows you to purchase plays for upcoming drawings in advance of the sales cutoff. You can buy tickets for that night’s drawing or for drawings taking place over the next several days. Advance Play gives you more flexibility in when you purchase your Mega Millions tickets. You don’t have to rush out on Tuesday or Friday evenings to get your plays in on time.
Mega Millions Ticket Cost
Mega Millions tickets cost $2 per play in Texas. You can purchase a single ticket with one set of numbers for $2. Most players purchase multiple tickets to increase their chances of winning. A very common option is to buy 5 consecutive tickets for $10. This gives you 5 different number combinations over 5 tickets. Here are the standard Mega Millions ticket prices in Texas:
| Number of Tickets | Total Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 ticket | $2 |
| 5 tickets | $10 |
| 10 tickets | $20 |
| 20 tickets | $40 |
You can mix and match Quick Pick and manual selections when purchasing multiple tickets. The Advance Play feature is also available when buying tickets for upcoming draws. Remember that sales cut off at 10:00 pm on draw nights, so get your tickets early!
Selecting Numbers
When playing Mega Millions in Texas, you have a few options in choosing your numbers:
Quick Pick
This is the quickest way to get your ticket. Quick Pick has the lottery terminal randomly generate your 5 main numbers from 1 to 70, plus your Mega Ball number from 1 to 25. The randomness ensures an equal chance at hitting the jackpot or other prizes.
Manual Selection
You can pick your own numbers by completing a Mega Millions play slip or telling the retailer your desired numbers. Choose 5 numbers from 1 to 70 and one Mega Ball number from 1 to 25. Some players use birthdays, anniversaries, or lucky digits to choose numbers.
Special Number Sets
There are also some special number set options:
- Easy Pick provides randomly generated numbers containing common patterns such as consecutive digits or the same first and last digit.
- Duplicate Play involves choosing the same exact numbers for every play on your ticket.
The choice comes down to personal preference and your number selection strategy. Ultimately every possible combination has an equal chance of being drawn.
Mega Millions Prizes
Matching the 5 main numbers and Mega Ball number wins the Mega Millions jackpot prize. With the game’s minimum starting jackpot of $40 million and frequent rollovers, this top prize is always life-changing.
Fixed Prizes
There are also eight secondary prize levels in Mega Millions with fixed cash payouts:
| Match | Prize Amount |
|---|---|
| 5 main numbers | $1 million |
| 4 main + Mega Ball | $10,000 |
| 4 main numbers | $500 |
| 3 main + Mega Ball | $200 |
| 3 main numbers | $10 |
| 2 main + Mega Ball | $10 |
| 1 main + Mega Ball | $4 |
| Mega Ball only | $2 |
These set payouts provide exciting ways to win without hitting the jackpot. Matching just the Mega Ball still nets you a $2 prize.
Megaplier
For an extra $1 per play, Megaplier can multiply your winnings from 2X to 5X (except the jackpot). This add-on feature dramatically boosts the value of the fixed secondary prizes.
How to Claim Prizes
For prizes up to $599, you can redeem your winning Mega Millions ticket at any Texas lottery retailer. Prizes from $600 to $999,999 can be claimed at participating retailers or by mail. Jackpots of $1 million or more must be redeemed at one of the Texas lottery claim centers. Be sure to sign the back of your ticket and bring valid ID when claiming any prize.
Claim Period
Winning Mega Millions tickets expire 180 days from the date of the drawing. Be sure to carefully check any old tickets and claim your prizes during this timeframe. Unclaimed prizes revert to the state for future games and promotions.
Jackpot Winners
There have been several notable Mega Millions jackpot wins in Texas over the years:
- In September 2019, a Leander resident claimed a $227 million prize, the largest Mega Millions win to date in Texas.
- In December 2013, two Texans from the Houston area split a $122 million jackpot.
- In May 2013, a resident of Spring won an advertised $189 million jackpot.
Mega Millions has created millionaires across Texas, with winners from Dallas, El Paso, Austin, and many smaller towns. Who will take home the next massive jackpot?
Mega Millions Odds
The overall odds of winning a Mega Millions prize are 1 in 24. The Mega Millions jackpot odds are approximately 1 in 302.6 million. Here are the odds for each prize:
| Prize Level | Odds |
|---|---|
| Jackpot | 1 in 302,575,350 |
| 5 main numbers | 1 in 12,607,306 |
| 4 main + MB | 1 in 931,001 |
| 4 main numbers | 1 in 38,792 |
| 3 main + MB | 1 in 14,547 |
| 3 main numbers | 1 in 606 |
| 2 main + MB | 1 in 693 |
| 1 main + MB | 1 in 89 |
| MB only | 1 in 37 |
While the jackpot odds are extremely high, smaller prizes have more reasonable chances of 1 in several hundred or thousand. The overall 1 in 24 odds for any prize give you a decent shot at winning.
Strategies for Mega Millions
Although the numbered balls are drawn randomly, many players use strategies to select numbers with the best odds:
- High-Low Mix – Combine both high and low numbers instead of picking all low or high digits.
- Odd-Even Mix – Use a blend of odd and even numbers rather than all odd or all even numbers.
- Consecutive Numbers – Avoid consecutive digits like 1-2-3-4-5 which rarely get drawn.
- Significant Dates – Use meaningful dates like birthdays or anniversaries to select numbers.
Analyzing past drawings can help identify number patterns that you can incorporate into your selections. Consistently playing the same set of numbers may also improve your chances if those numbers hit.
Buying Strategies
In addition to number picking strategies, you can employ buying strategies to increase your win probability:
- Buy multiple tickets on the same draw to gain more number combinations.
- Pool your money with others to purchase more ticket combinations.
- Use the Advance Play feature to play consecutive draws.
- Add on the Megaplier option to multiply non-jackpot prizes.
While winning comes down to the luck of the draw, these strategies can help provide more chances to win.
History of Mega Millions
Mega Millions has an interesting history:
- Originally began in 1996 as The Big Game multi-state lottery.
- Renamed Mega Millions in 2002.
- Texas was not an original member but joined in 2003.
- Game format changed in October 2017 with higher starting jackpots and better overall odds.
- Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots have exceeded $1 billion multiple times.
Over 25 years, Mega Millions has awarded jackpots from $10 million to over $1.5 billion and billions more in secondary prizes. It has grown into one of the most popular and successful multi-state lotteries in the U.S.
Record Jackpots
The two largest Mega Millions jackpots to date are:
- $1.537 billion won on October 23, 2018.
- $1.050 billion won on January 22, 2021.
Both record jackpots were shared by multiple winning tickets across different states. Mega Millions is known for rollovers that result in new record amounts. Will we see another billion dollar jackpot in the near future?
Why People Play Mega Millions
There are several reasons people enjoy playing Mega Millions:
- Huge Jackpots – Mega Millions consistently offers multi-million dollar top prizes that capture attention.
- Megaplier – This unique feature multiplies non-jackpot winnings up to 5 times.
- Better Odds – At 1 in 24 overall, the odds of winning any Mega Millions prize are superior to Powerball.
- Excitement – Finding out the latest jackpot amount and watching the drawings is a thrill.
- Convenience – Mega Millions tickets are readily available at most Texas lottery retailers.
The opportunity to win life-changing riches remains the main appeal for most players. Mega Millions jackpots start at $40 million and have exceeded $1 billion four times now. Even matching just the Mega Ball can win you $2 or more with Megaplier.
Dreaming of Winning Big
Mega Millions allows players to dream about what they would do with a massive jackpot. People enjoy imagining how they would spend the money, help family and friends, travel the world, or engage in philanthropy. The excitement and possibilities surrounding Mega Millions jackpots drives ticket sales and interest in the game.
Key Points
Here are some key points to remember about playing Mega Millions in Texas:
- Drawings held Tuesdays and Fridays at 10:00 pm local time.
- Tickets cost $2 per play. Multi-draw packages available.
- Jackpots start at $40 million and frequently grow much larger.
- Overall odds of winning any prize are about 1 in 24.
- Can use Quick Pick or choose your own numbers.
- Megaplier feature increases non-jackpot prizes up to 5X.
- Winning jackpots from Texas have topped $200 million.
- Tickets must be purchased by 10:00 pm on draw nights.
- Winning numbers available at texaslottery.com after drawings.
Follow these tips to successfully play Mega Millions in Texas. And be sure to check your tickets carefully after each drawing!
Conclusion
Mega Millions provides Texans the chance to play for multimillion dollar jackpots twice a week. Drawings take place on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10:00 pm local time. Tickets can be purchased up until 10:00 pm on the night of the drawing. Players have the option to choose their own numbers or use Quick Pick random selections. The starting jackpot is $40 million and often climbs much higher before a winner is drawn. Mega Millions also offers eight other prize levels with fixed cash amounts. The Megaplier add-on can boost non-jackpot winnings up to 5 times. Over the years, Mega Millions has awarded several enormous jackpots to lucky Texas residents. For entertainment and the possibility of enormous riches, Mega Millions is a fun lottery game to play in the Lone Star State.
