Mega Millions prize up to $654M, 4th largest in US history

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP, KTVU) - After nearly three months without a winner, the Mega Millions lottery game has climbed to an estimated $654 million jackpot.

Unfortunately, even as the big prize for Tuesday night's drawing increases to the fourth-largest in U.S. history, the odds of matching all six numbers and winning the game don't improve. They're stuck at a miserable one in 302.5 million.

The last time anyone won the jackpot was July 24, when a group from the Bay Area claimed a $543 million prize.

That winning ticket was sold at Ernie's Liquors in San Jose. 

The estimated $654 million jackpot refers to the annuity option, paid out over 29 years. The cash option, which is favored by nearly all winners, is $372 million.

Mega Millions is played in 44 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands.