LA FERIA — “I hope you win.”
Eric Hoff says it to all his customers buying lottery tickets at Bottle Shop liquor store, even though the odds of winning the jackpot aren’t good, at one in 302.5 million.
But he’s been saying it more and more lately now that his customers are chasing the second largest jackpot in U.S. history, worth $970 million as of last night in the Mega Millions game.
Officials say no tickets matched all six numbers to claim the Mega Millions prize Tuesday night. The numbers were 3, 45, 49, 61, 69 and Mega Ball 9.
The largest lottery jackpot was a $1.6 billion Powerball prize won in January 2016.
“It’s gone crazy,” Hoff said about the lottery ticket buying craze. “People who normally buy one ticket are buying 10 to 20 tickets.”
And, someone has to win eventually.
The person or people who do, if it’s tonight, would win $548 million on the cash option or annually paid for 29 years.
Standing behind the counter scanning a single game ticket for a customer, Hoff recalled many of his customers who have won big money prizes from the store, but never the Mega Millions or Powerball from his store.
He said by the time the game is all said and done, the pot is going to be bigger because of all the ticket sales.
At $2 per ticket, the massive profit for any winner is going to be life changing.
Hoff called today’s game a frenzy that is sure to attract more players right up to ticket sales close.
“You can’t win if you don’t play,” Hoff said.
Santa Rosa resident Margarito Mendoza, a retired math teacher agreed with Hoff’s adage — if you don’t play you can’t win.
Mendoza picked up 10 tickets with his wife Aida hoping their six numbers magically match the ones picked tonight.
“If you buy at least one ticket you have a one in a million chance to win,” Mendoza said.
In Santa Rosa, a convenience store manager said the store had already sold plenty of tickets over the week and yesterday.
He said the store traffic is going to be heavier than usual today and he’ll be ready for the many ticket buyers he believes will be coming in as late as 9 p.m. tonight.
Tips to win the lottery
– Never use the quick pick.
– Choose from the entire card, not just birthday numbers.
– Don’t change numbers.
– Know your limits and only play what you can afford.
– Play the lottery consistently.
Tips by Richard Lustig, author of “To Increase your Chances of Winning the Lottery.”
INFO BOX
Tips for after you win
You have 180 days to claim the ticket
Payment varies, but takes two weeks
Winners can keep their name secret for 90 days
All states deduct 24 percent federal tax but state taxes vary
Source AP News
Top lottery jackpots
1 $1.586 billion Jan. 13, 2016 Powerball CA, FL, TN
2 $758.7 million Aug. 23, 2017 Powerball MA
3 $656 million Mar. 30, 2012 Mega Millions KS, IL, MD
4 $654 million ???? Mega Millions ????
5 $648 million Dec. 17, 2013 Mega Millions CA, GA
6 $590.5 million May 18, 2013 Powerball FL
7 $587.5 million Nov. 28, 2012 Powerball AZ, MO
8 $564.1 million Feb. 11, 2015 Powerball NC, PR, TX
9 $559.7 million Jan. 6, 2018 Powerball NH
10 $543 million July 24, 2018 Mega Millions CA
Source: Powerball
