Tonight’s Powerball Jackpot Might be the 10th Largest in the Game’s History

If you're anything like me, and I know I am--you'd love to win the lottery. However, the problem with my desire to be a lottery winner is the fact that I never buy a ticket. Okay, maybe never is not quite right. I bought a Powerball ticket once, when the jackpot went over a billion dollars. Since you're reading this now, you've probably surmised that I didn't win. I guess I only play when we get into record-breaking territory.

Speaking of record-breaking territory, tonight's jackpot may turn out to be the 10th largest Powerball jackpot in the game's existence.

What kind of dough are we talking about here? How about $403,000,000, with a $243.9 million cash value. The final take home amount depends on the individual's tax rate and the state and local taxes in their state, but winners can generally expect to end up with about a third of the total cash jackpot.

If you're a neophyte like I am when it comes to all things lottery, click here to check out the Illinois Lottery's Powerball page.

Should you be the big winner, keep in mind that there are two types of people who win the big jackpots. You've got your smart winners, and the ones that really have their lives go south on them after the win:

Good luck!