Friday’s Mega Millions Odds? Getting Struck By Lighting – 5 Times

It’s a big jackpot – $510 Million. The cash option? $377 Million. Regardless, you want a piece of it. I don’t blame you. Its easy money right?

So before you get too excited about the prospect of becoming the one of the richest folks in Yakima, there are some things to consider. One is, your odds of winning the jackpot which is...

...302,575,350 to 1.

To put that in perspective, you are about 20,000 times more likely to be struck by lightning in your lifetime.Or struck 5 times.

Know anyone struck by lightning? Five times? Yeah, me neither.

But, if you are insisting on playing the Mega Millions, here are examples of how the odds are stacked against you. Some examples of just how impossible it is to win. How impossible is it?

You have a greater chance of…

Winning an Oscar - 1 in 115,000

Going to the E.R. With a Pogo Stick-Related Injury - 1 115,000

Winning an Olympic Gold Medal - 1 in 662,000 (Think about it, even Yakima’s Mahre brothers only took home 1 Gold Medal in the 80’s, the other Silver – which is still a big deal)

Being Crushed by a Meteorite - 1 in 700,000

Dying in a Plane Crash - 1 in 11 Million

Being a U.S. President - 1 in 10 Million

Becoming a Movie Star - 1 in 1.5 Million

Becoming an Astronaut - 1 in 12 Million

Know any astronauts? Me neither.

Here’s another way to look at it. About 20 years ago, The California Lottery Jackpot was at $500 Million. People got Lottery fever. Everyone was talking about it. One guy in the Bay Area (San Jose) sold his home for $400,000 (a fortune back then) and went all-in and lost it all. He recovered less than a fourth of that back. I wonder if that will go on his list of regrets in life.

So, if you are still inclined, go out and play the Mega Millions knowing the risk and odds. As they say, you can’t win, if you don’t play.

All My Best and Good Luck,

The JimShow