A jackpot lottery is a game where you can win a large amount of money by matching a winning combination. You might also get smaller prizes for matching different numbers. But the jackpot prize is always worth more than a small sum, so you need to choose carefully your numbers and play consistently.

A lottery that has a big jackpot attracts more players than one with small jackpots, says Victor Matheson, an economist at the College of the Holy Cross who studies lotteries. That’s because a larger jackpot prompts people to buy tickets and increases the value of the winning ticket, which is then more likely to roll over to the next draw and increase in size.

Moreover, super-sized jackpots can earn the lottery free publicity in the media and on television, which helps boost sales and encourage more people to buy tickets. But Matheson points out that the odds of winning a large jackpot are still very low — 1 in 292 million for Powerball, and even less for Mega Millions.

Another way to increase your chances of winning a jackpot is to join a lottery syndicate. These groups pool their money and purchase multiple tickets to improve their odds. The downside is that they share the prize among multiple winners, but if you’re lucky enough to win a big jackpot, this can be a lucrative strategy.

As with any major financial decision, it’s important to have a plan in place for how you’re going to use your winnings. Whether that’s buying a house or a car, investing in a business or paying off your credit card debt, working with a qualified financial planner can help you make smart choices that are best for you.