Mega Millions Jackpot Tops $512M: Buy Tickets In CT

Start dreaming. The Mega Millions lottery game jackpot has soared to $512 million, with a cash payout of $303.4 million. Connecticut and others, players are grabbing up tickets, which could send the prize even higher, based on the history of the game.

In New Haven, here are five places to buy the tickets:

• 168 York Street Cafe
• 7 Eleven 400 Foxon Blvd
• AF Forbes Inc. 401-411 Forbes Ave
• Aarav Foodmart 1570 Whalley Ave
• Alma's Deli 1464 Ella T Grasso Blvd

In Stamford here are some locations:

• 24/7 Atlantic Street 209 Atlantic Ave.
• AJ Mini Mart 912 East Main St.
• AA Grocery 69 Greenwich Ave.
• Acme Markets 1201 High Ridge Road
• Al's Convenience 734 Cove St.

Bridgeport locations:

• AC Market 165 Washington Ave.
• Absorb Discount Liquor 2077 E. Main St.
• Ali Shell Mart 4402 Main St.
• Almonte Market 288 Bunnell St.
• Beechmont Mini Market 464 Beechmont Ave.

Hartford locations:

• 3 Star Food Mart 675 Wethersfield Ave.
• 7-Eleven 2120 Park St.
• 99 Plus Store 302 Farmington Ave.
• Advanced Gas Co. 410 Market St.
• Amigo Market and Deli 527 Farmington Ave.

Check out all locations at the CT Lottery site.

Drawings are held at 11 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Tickets for the game cost $2, or $3 with the Megaplier option. Players pick five numbers from 1-70, then pick a Mega Ball number between 1-25. They can choose “easy pick” at the retailer and the terminal will choose the number. Players win when they match all six numbers.

The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350. The overall chances of winning any prize are 1 in 24.

If you don’t win the jackpot, there are other ways to win:

• Match five numbers, but not the Mega Ball: $1 million prize (odds: 1 in 12,607,306);
• Match four numbers and the Mega Ball: $10,000 prize (odds: 1 in 931,001);
• Match four numbers but not the Mega Ball: $500 prize (odds: 1 in 38,792);
• Match three numbers and the Mega Ball: $200 prize (odds: 1 in 14,547);
• Match three numbers but not the Mega Ball: $10 prize (odds: 1 in 606);
• Match two numbers and the Mega Ball: $10 prize (odds: 1 in 693);
• Match one number and the Mega Ball: $4 prize (odds: 1 in 89);
• Match the Mega Ball only: Prize, $2 (Odds: 1 in 37).

More information is found on the Mega Millions website.

Come back to Patch Tuesday night for the winning numbers.

Photo Illustration by Scott Olson/Getty Images