News

Actions

Mega Millions Hits $636 Million, Second-Highest Jackpot Ever

Posted at 7:56 PM, Dec 17, 2013
and last updated 2013-12-18 00:31:53-05

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. — With the Mega Millions jackpot at $636 million, business is swarming inside Party World in Comstock Park.

The party store employees haven’t had much time to take a break as customers buy what they hope is the winning ticket. Of course, they’d have to match all six numbers to win it all. The current total is the second highest ever; $656 million was reached in 2012.

“[I] thought my chances were like everybody else’s,” store customer Jennifer Mizner said.

Calvin Clark is looking to increase his odds of cashing in by chipping in with co-workers.

“Everybody put in two bucks a piece, so we actually came up with like 64 tickets. Of course, I got my own tickets on the side but yes, hopefully we become the winner and we can be jobless,” he chuckled.

Party World staff said a $57 million winning ticket and a couple of $250,000 scratch-offs have been sold at the store.

Some people take fate into their own hands by picking their own numbers. Everyone’s got a method.

“Well it’s fairly simple. I play every Powerball 10 times, that’s $150 bucks. I’m guaranteed 10 Powerballs,” one man, who asked to be identified only as Dave, said.

Others, like West Michigan woman Karrie Knapp, say they use birthdays, holidays or anniversaries to come up with their numbers.

Many take an easy way out with “Easy Pick,” letting the computer does all the work.

Mizner said if she wins, she would “pay everything off. Have one heck of a Christmas.”

Game officials said there’s a one in 259 million chance of matching all six numbers for the grand prize.

Follow Darren Cunningham on Facebook