Would you like to know how to win Mega Millions? Mega Millions is a lottery game played in twelve of the United States in which five numbers are picked at random from a pool of 56 numbers, and the sixth number is picked at random from a separate pool of 46 numbers. You win the jackpot by matching all six winning numbers in the drawing you enter. Winning Mega Millions is really a matter of beating the odds; and the odds are not in your favor.

Plain and simple, to win, you'll have to play. That involves purchasing a ticket, making a minimum investment. Each play is $1, with up to 10 plays available on each paper ticket. Purchasing a ticket, or receiving a ticket as a gift far from guarantees a win, but it is required.

Many have tried the group method to increase their odds of winning. Gather a group of family members, friends or coworkers and pool your money. The theory here is that by purchasing more tickets, the odds of winning will be higher. You will however have to share the winnings with everyone that contributed to the pool, also decreasing your overall prize money.

Remember as you play that Mega Millions is a gambling game with odds that are heavily weighed in favor of the house; and the house includes not only the federal and state government, but the merchant who sold the ticket to you. The odds of wining the Mega Million jackpot is about one chance in 175,711,536; your odds of winning anything is close to 40 to win.http://www.megamillions.com/howto/default.asp

• The odds are 40 to one against your winning anything at all, and the rate of the return is pennies on the dollar, so it is best to minimize your losses. Odds for winning the jackpot are one in 175,711,536, meaning to play every number and guarantee a jackpot win, you'd need to spend $175,711,536.

1. Don't play at all: Of course by not playing, you will never win, however abstaining from purchasing tickets also means you are reducing your potential losses to zero. Rather than purchasing tickets, which may never make their money back, take that money and open a savings account.
2. Get free tickets from a friend or relative: Another way to reduce your potential losses is to ask for tickets from friends or family members. Ask for tickets as a gift for your birthday or at Christmas. Should you win, be sure to take care of whomever purchased the ticket.
3. Never buy more than one ticket per drawing: While this method will still allow for potential losses, by moderating your spending you can control the losses. This is also recommended as a good practice for responsible gambling. There are many great resources for gambling addictions, which is a treatable disease, including a support line at (800) 522-4700.http://www.megamillions.com/howto/responsibly.asp

• Mega Millions tickets cost $1.00 per play. Mega Millions is legal to play in twelve states: California, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Washington.

1. Go to a lottery retailer and ask for a payslip. Some retailers will require you to fill out the slip, selecting your desired numbers while others will accept verbal requests. Select five numbers between 1 and 56 and one Gold Mega ball between 1 and 46. Either fill the numbers in on the payslip or tell the clerk.
2. If you don't have specific numbers you'd like to play, an autopick option is also available. By selecting autopick, the computer that prints the tickets will randomly select numbers for you. Remember, each combination has an equal odds of winning, regardless if the numbers have been selected before.
3. Choose up to 10 panels on each ticket. You are not required to play all 10 panels on each ticket, but the option is there. If you are purchasing tickets for others, such as gifts, be sure to tell the clerk to print each on a separate ticket rather than all picks on one ticket.
4. Be sure to purchase tickets before 10:45 p.m. on the day of the drawings. Winning numbers are selected at 11:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays. Any ticket purchased after 10:45 on the day of a drawing will be valid for the following drawing.
5. Verify your ticket before paying or leaving. Once you purchase a ticket it is non-refundable, even if the clerk entered the numbers incorrectly.

Mega Million drawings are held every Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 pm ET. Once you have your ticket, you'll want to check to see if you have won anything. There are a variety of ways to check tickets, both in person and from the comfort of your own home. Remember, even matching the gold ball will win $2. Also, jackpots increase as ticket sales continue. The jackpot at the time you purchased a ticket may be different from the final jackpot when the numbers are selected. Don't forget that lottery winnings are taxable income.

1. Watch the television on Tuesdays and Saturdays: Generally most late local news broadcasts will display the winning numbers. Some stations will also air the video from when the numbers are drawn.
2. Check the website: Shortly after the numbers are selected, they will be displayed on the Mega Millions official site. Expect high traffic to the site immediately after each drawing.
3. Look in the newspaper. The day after the drawing most newspapers in states where Mega Millions is played will publish the winning numbers.
4. Visit a Mega Millions retailer: Each retailer can check the ticket using the computer to see if there are any winning numbers. Payouts are as follows:

Please play responsibly. If you think that either you or a loved one may be addicted to gambling, call the National Council on Problem Gambling's confidential 24-hour hotline: 800-522-4700.