By Todd Northrop
Mega Millions lottery players across the United States are pulling out the stops for the Tuesday evening drawing, which now stands as the largest Mega Millions grand prize in more than a year.
The estimated jackpot of the March 27, 2012, Mega Millions drawing was raised Monday from $356 million to $363 million because of heavier than expected sales in all Mega Millions states.
Likewise, the lump-sum cash value of the massive grand prize was raised to $259.8 million, an increase of $4.7 million from the initial estimate made early Saturday morning.
Lottery players seeking to check the winning numbers Tuesday night are urged to use USA Mega (www.usamega.com). State lottery Web sites are normally brought to a standstill during busy periods, while USA Mega normally remains responsive.
Mega Millions drawing results will be posted immediately after the 11:00 pm drawing at USA Mega. The number of winners and new jackpot will be announced after all participating Mega Millions states have reported their data, which normally occurs within a couple of hours after the drawing.
Tickets will remain on sale typically until 10:45 pm Eastern Time on Tuesday, although players should check with a lottery retailer in their state for the exact sales cutoff time. Players are advised not to wait until the last minute.
If the jackpot is not won on Tuesday, the Friday jackpot will certainly become the largest lottery jackpot in history — for both its annuity and cash values.
The odds of winning the jackpot are approximately 1 in 176 million. The odds of winning any of the Mega Millions prizes are approximately 1 in 40.
Mega Millions features nine different prize levels, ranging from $2 all the way up to the jackpot. Players can win even if they just match one number — the Mega Ball number.
All states except California also offer the Megaplier option for an extra dollar per ticket purchased. The Megaplier multiplies any non-jackpot prizes won by 2, 3, or 4 times, depending on the Megaplier number drawn that evening.
Players who purchase the Megaplier and win second prize will automatically have their prize increased by 4x to $1 million.
Sniff Sniff - I smell MONEY!
i spent 40 this time. hope i get something.
I won't be surprised if someone hits it tommorrow with all the sales but man it would be so awesome to hit a new record.
LET IT ROLL!!!
Playing the lottery is a WIN or LOSE situation no matter how many tickets we buy. I am buying 1 Quick Pick Ticket.
Well, good for you.
1 Ticket ................ 1 Winner!
Roll Baby Roll ................. all the way to the 'Dale ..........
no UAW cars for me
$363 Million Woo Hoo
bring on the fever!!!!!!
Two Hundred Fifty Nine Million Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars In Cash
UNBELIEVABLE !!!
i thought it would be worh more.
THE LOTTERY 50/50 RULE= BUYING 1 LOTTERY TICKET GIVES YOU A 50/50 CHANCE OF WINNING. Playing the lottery is a WIN or LOSE situation no matter how many tickets we buy.
GOOD LUCK EVERYBODY.
In Pennsylvania you will get a $195,000,000
wire transfer ............... after you mitigate the remaining 10% Federal Tax Obligation ............ you pay no more taxes here! 
I know it's CRAZY CDanaT!!!!! sure is going to look good in my account!!!!!
DP...does that mean you get 10 % and the "CEO" gets the rest ????
Hey, wait a minute ....................... I bought the tickets .................
Tickets will remain on sale typically until 10:45 pm Eastern Time on Tuesday, although players should check with a lottery retailer in their state for the exact sales cutoff time. Players are advised not to wait until the last minute.
I thought that but some clerks became confused after Ohio added PowerBall which has a cutoff time of 10:00 pm so I just started playing earlier to be safe.
nice try DCF
but the looking good part is in MYYYYY account 
I am leaning towards the wife winning that discussion and you wearing your T-shirt around that's says "yes dear"
I didn't know why Mega Millions had to raise their jackpot.
it may go up again Lucky SOB.....
Yep. No since in waiting till the last minute.
LOL... can't blame a sister for trying.......
agreed. :) Didn't one of these record jp's get raised and revised like 3 times before the drawing?
$370M or even $380M is not out of the equation yet.
We have 2 lottery machines where I purchase my tickets .......... there are allot of lottery queens that back up the line playing daily numbers in the 'Dale!
It is at a new record high. The cash value which is more meaningful than the annuitized amount is what many follow as an indicator.
Some grocery stores cut off lottery sales at 8:00PM EST.
Anytime after noon tomorrow is probably going to be crazy everywhere, especially the border states where people have to travel hours
to get their tic's.
Best get them today while lotto mania is only simmering for now.
They did it just to piss you off.~;)
Im pretty confident with this one.. got a few quick picks.. one of the lines was only 2 numbers off of one of my selected lines ;-) happy w the sign