It really doesn’t matter that a player’s chance of winning the Mega Millions jackpot is only about 1 in 259 million. We love the rush, we love the fantasy, we love that it only costs a measly buck to have an opportunity to win more money than a person can ever imagine. So, we put the odds aside. We let our spirits soar, and allow the dream for a miracle to consume us.

What would I do with $636 million? That is the question that millions of hopefuls are asking today. Right now, over $75 million tickets have been sold, and there are still several hours before the 11 pm EST drawing.

Tonight’s drawing represents the second largest jackpot in the history of the US lottery. The biggest prize ever was $656 million, so we’re only $20 million away from record setting numbers. If no one hits the big money tonight, Friday’s jackpot will be about $950 million. And if nobody hits that, we’re looking at a payday of over $1 billion.

Some people are already planning to quit their jobs:

Everyone is preparing the "Screw you I quit this job" speech for tonight. #MegaMillions

— Bryan Greenberg (@bryangreenberg) December 17, 2013

If you don't see me DJing this weekend you already know what it is…. #megamillions #gwinin http://t.co/2d8eekdA4d

— DJ J1 Hot 1079 (@posterchildj1) December 17, 2013

Paula Ott, who is the lottery director in Virginia and the head of the Mega Millions, estimates that ticket sales were up by about 20 percent over the weekend. “If it doesn’t surpass the record, we’ll be close. It’s growing a little faster than we thought.” The more tickets sold, the better the odds a person will win the jackpot. By the drawing time tonight, Ott thinks that about 65 to 75 percent of all possible number combinations will be covered.

The Mega Millions drawing runs every Tuesday and Friday night. Tickets cost just a $1. A player needs to match all five numbers plus the Mega Ball in order to win the jackpot. A player can choose to take the cash option prize as well, tonight’s is currently estimated around $314 million.

Tell us what you think. What would you do with $636 million?

Image Via Twitter