Mega Millions: These are the best strategies for winning the $1.55 billion jackpot, according to a Harvard statistician

The Mega Millions jackpot has ballooned to its largest total in the history of the draw.

After not registering any winner during Friday’s draw, the accumulated pot has grown, standing at $1.55 billion, with the option of collecting $757.2 million in cash.

The next Mega Millions drawing will be held on Tuesday, August 8, at 11 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. PT. If you are interested in buying a ticket to get a shot at being a billionaire, below are some tips, as well as the odds you have of winning the jackpot.

READ ALSO: When and where to buy Mega Millions lottery tickets

Mega Millions: The best strategies for winning the $1.55 billion jackpot, according to a Harvard statistician

In each Mega Millions draw, ticket buyers must choose six numbers from 1 to 70, corresponding to the white balls, and one number from 1 to 25 for the golden ball, also known as the Mega Ball. To win the jackpot, you must hit all five numbers plus the Mega Ball. The probability of this happening is extremely low: 1 in more than 300 million.

While some people recommend mixing odd and even numbers when buying a ticket, as well as high and low numbers, statistically, some numbers do appear more than others.

According to the history of Lotto Numbers, from September 6, 1996 to August 1, 2023, the white ball numbers that have appeared the most are: 31, 17, 46, 20 and 10, while the most repeated Mega Ball numbers are 9, 15, 3, 10 and 1.

According to Mark Glickman, a senior statistics lecturer at Harvard University, another tip to win the jackpot is to choose completely random numbers, without patterns of any sort.

“No birthdays that have special meaning to you because other people are likely to make those same picks,” he told CBS News.

READ ALSO: Twice a week Mega Millions can change someone’s fortunes

More tickets = more chances of winning

Because the Mega Millions, just like any lottery, is a game of chance, Glickman says that the best way to increase your chances of winning is simply to buy more tickets, within reason of course. If the probability of your winning the jackpot is 1 in 302,575,350 with one ticket, it becomes 2 in 302,575,350 if you buy two.

But keep in mind that although you’ve mathematically increased your odds of winning by purchasing more tickets, the probability of taking home the jackpot remains infinitesimal. It would take an enormous amount of money to increase your chances significantly.

If you are just looking to win any kind of payout at all, your best bet would be to buy several tickets with a different Mega Ball number on each of them. Matching the winning Mega Ball is the most likely way that you will get a return on your money.

Other prizes to win

While everyone is looking to hit the jackpot, you should keep in mind that there are nine different ways to win, from two dollars to the jackpot. Here are all the possible ways to win in Mega Millions, and the odds that you will.