The jackpot lottery is a game of chance that offers the potential for big wins. It’s fun and easy to play, and there are many ways to win, including using rare numbers and buying more tickets. But, the odds of winning a jackpot aren’t very good: 1 in 303 million for Mega Millions, and 1 in 29 for Powerball.

How to Win the Jackpot: The Winning Numbers

You can pick five numbers between 1 and 69, and one number between 1 and 25. The winning numbers are drawn each drawing and are randomly chosen.

Why the Jackpot is So Big

Some experts say that bigger jackpots are a result of changes made to the games in a few years ago. They point to higher ticket prices and a change in the game’s jackpot-probability ratio as factors behind these big prizes.

In addition, the lottery’s annuity option, which pays winners a portion of the prize over three decades, is also a factor. If interest rates are high when the jackpot is drawn, “those annuities are going to pay out a larger amount over time,” said Matthew Kovach, a collegiate associate professor of economics at Virginia Tech.

But, before you invest your money, make sure to plan ahead and protect yourself from scams. Keep your name out of the media, and protect your ticket from identity thieves. Additionally, you’ll need to pay taxes on your prize. It’s best to talk to a qualified accountant to plan your taxes, and consider whether you want to take a lump-sum or long-term payout.