Big dreamers rejoice!
The Mega Millions jackpot grew to an estimated $660 million for Friday night's draw, the third largest pot in the game's history, according to the California Lottery.
Ticket sales always seem to ramp up when the pot reaches stratospheric levels, and some superstitious players might head to places where big jackpot tickets have been sold before.
In the Bay Area, the last big Mega Millions jackpot win was in July 2018, when a group of 11 Wells Fargo workers won $543 million after buying a ticket at Ernie’s Liquors in San Jose.
Here are some other retailers around the Bay Area where Mega Millions players might go if they believe in lightning striking twice, as reported by Bay Area News Group:
- Dixon Landing Chevron, Milpitas, $425 million Powerball jackpot in February 2014.
- Jenny’s Gifts & Kids Wear (now closed) on Tully Road in San Jose, $324 million Mega Millions jackpot in December 2013.
- Key Market (now Chavez Supermarket), San Mateo, $228 million Powerball jackpot in September 2014.
- Strawberry Chevron Food Mart, Mill Valley, $75.6 million Mega Millions jackpot in May 2009.
- Kwik & Convenient Liquor Mart, Fremont, $52 million Mega Millions jackpot in July 2012.
- Pak ‘N Save (now Safeway), Gellert Boulevard in South San Francisco, $38.5 million Mega Millions jackpot in November 2009.
Sometimes players can still win big without hitting the jackpot. Earlier this week, a player in Turlock in Stanislaus County bought a Mega Millions ticket matching the first five numbers, and it's worth about $629,000. Here are some more retailers where players recently have struck it rich with 5/5 tickets:
- Chevron station, Lone Tree Way in Brentwood, $2.3 million 5/5 Mega Millions win in January 2021.
- Richmond New May Wah Supermarket, San Francisco, $1.8 million 5/5 Mega Millions win in April 2021.
- 7-Eleven, 1639 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose, $1.4 million 5/5 Mega Millions win in July 2019.
- Mel's Liquor, San Leandro, $994,000 5/5 Mega Millions win in March 2019.
- SaveMor Discount Liquor, Novato, $508,000 5/5 Mega Millions win in March 2021.
The last time a Mega Millions ticket hit all six numbers was back on April 15. Odds of matching all six numbers are greater than 302.5 million to 1.
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The numbers for Friday night's game will be drawn just before 8 p.m.
