Chad Cuneo displays Mega Millions lottery tickets he purchased at a newsstand Friday in Philadelphia.(Photo: Matt Rourke, AP)

Story Highlights

  • $550M prize would be Mega Millions' second-largest jackpot ever
  • Next drawing will take place Tuesday
  • 21 straight drawings have failed to hit a winner
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The Mega Millions jackpot climbed to $550 million after lottery officials announced there was no winning ticket sold in Friday night's drawing.

The $550 million prize, to be drawn Tuesday, would be Mega Millions' second-largest jackpot ever and the fourth-largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history. According to the Mega Millions website, the $550 million jackpot would net a cash option of $295 million.

Friday's Mega Millions jackpot was buoyed by strong ticket sales. Lottery officials boosted the jackpot to $425 million from $400 million Friday morning, about 12 hours ahead of the 11 p.m. drawing.

The numbers drawn were: 19, 24, 26, 27, 70 and Mega Ball 12.

Chances of selecting the winning six-number ticket were just 1 in 259 million, but hopefuls weren't thwarted by the odds or suspicious of a Friday the 13th drawing. Ticket sales in Virginia were running nearly 600% above normal sales, while in Oregon, they were up almost 400%, lottery officials said.

"As a rule, things will really take off the day of the drawing,'' Oregon state lottery spokesman Chuck Baumann said.

The jackpot has been growing since Oct.1, 21 straight drawings have failed to hit a winner.

Mega Millions' record $656 million jackpot was split between three ticket holders in March 2012. A record Powerball jackpot, worth $590.5 million, was won by Floridian Gloria MacKenzie in May.

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