Mega Millions lottery jackpot rises to 785 million

The first Mega Millions lottery drawing of the new year will have a big prize after no one hit the estimated $685 million jackpot on Friday.

The top prize was increased to $785 million before the next drawing, scheduled for Tuesday.

None of the tickets sold for Friday contained all six winning numbers, Mega Millions said in a statement early Saturday morning.

Friday’s winning combination was 1, 3, 6, 44, 51 and the gold Mega Ball was 7.

The jackpot has increased thanks to the very low chances of hitting, of one in 302.6 million, resulting in 22 consecutive draws without a jackpot winner.

The estimated prize of 785 million dollars will go to the winner who opts for annual payments for 29 years. Almost all the winners choose the single payment, which for Tuesday’s draw is estimated at 395 million.

The jackpot is the biggest since a $2.04 billion Powerball lottery prize was awarded in California on Nov. 8. The winner of that record-breaking prize has yet to be announced.

Mega Millions is played in 45 states and the district of Washington, DC, as well as the US Virgin Islands.

The United States Mega Millions lottery jackpot has increased to $685 million ahead of Friday night’s drawing, giving players the chance to ring in the New Year’s chime with a much bigger bonus in their bank accounts.