In a stroke of extraordinary luck, Melena Hill, a resident of Portsmouth, Virginia, became an instant millionaire—all thanks to a misplaced Mega Millions ticket found in her nightstand drawer. It was over five weeks since the January 9 drawing when Hill rediscovered the ticket and, after checking the winning numbers, realized her life was about to change dramatically.
“It was an amazing moment. My stomach had butterflies. I screamed a little bit!” Hill exclaimed in an interview with Mega Millions, recounting her surprise and exhilaration upon discovering her newfound fortune. The ticket had been purchased on a whim using the Easy Pick option, where a computer randomly selects six numbers. This little decision proved to be worth millions as Hill’s ticket matched the first five numbers drawn.
Under the standard prize structure, matching five numbers would have netted Hill a cool $1 million prize. However, in a move that defied odds and expectation, Hill had chosen to spend an additional dollar on the “Megaplier” when buying her ticket, a choice that enhanced her win threefold to a staggering $3 million, as confirmed by Mega Millions officials.
The lucky ticket was bought at a store located in Suffolk, Virginia. It’s not just Hill who has benefited from the lottery; the Virginia Lottery proudly raised over $867 million for K-12 education in fiscal year 2023, which comprises almost a tenth of the state’s total budget for K-12 schools.
The odds of matching the first five numbers in Mega Millions are an astronomical 1 in 12.6 million, and the chances of winning the entire jackpot by matching all six numbers are an even more remote 1 in 302.5 million. Even with these daunting odds, the lottery remains a popular pastime, with tickets available at various locations like convenience stores, gas stations, and grocery stores. In some states, the convenience is extended further with the ability to purchase tickets online.
Mega Millions requires players to select numbers comprising five white balls ranging from 1 to 70, and one gold Mega Ball between 1 and 25. For those who feel lucky or simply prefer to leave their fate entirely to chance, there’s the option of a “Quick Pick” or an “Easy Pick,” where the lottery’s system chooses the numbers on their behalf.
Adding a “Megaplier” to a ticket for an additional dollar can exponentially increase a player’s winnings on all prizes except the jackpot. The Megaplier is determined by drawing one of fifteen balls before the main Mega Millions numbers on Tuesday and Friday, multiplying any non-jackpot winnings by a factor of two, three, four, or even five times depending on the draw.
Mega Millions has paid out some of the largest jackpots in lottery history, fueling dreams across the nation. Tickets are easily accessible, sold at many common stops like gas stations and grocery stores. For those on the go, airport terminals might also offer a chance at a lucky break.
Convenient online purchasing is also available through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, which operates in a select number of U.S. states and territories. The Jackpocket app streamlines the process by allowing users to pick their game, select their numbers, and manage tickets and winnings all through a phone or home computer.
However, it’s important to note that despite these stories of incredible win, playing the lottery is a form of gambling, and responsible play is encouraged. Help is available for gambling problems through various hotlines and services.
The awe-inspiring tale of Melena Hill’s delayed but dramatic win serves as a reminder that sometimes fortune smiles in the most unexpected of places—and moments. As for Hill, her chance discovery in the depths of her nightstand has undoubtedly transformed her life in ways she could have never foreseen.
