Residents trying luck to win the largest Powerball jackpot ever offered -- $500M

Darrell Williams of Sikeston fills in his own numbers on his Powerball ticket Tuesday at Quick Chek in Sikeston. The Powerball jackpot for tonight's drawing is estimated at $500 million, the largest jackpot prize ever offered in the game. Players have until 8:59 p.m. today to purchase Powerball tickets in Missouri. Leonna Heuring, Staff

SIKESTON -- With the Powerball jackpot estimated at a record $500 million, local residents are ensuring they have a chance at the windfall.

"I'm just trying my luck," said Elliott Turner of Sikeston who purchased a Powerball ticket Tuesday.

Due to strong sales, the Powerball jackpot for tonight's drawing increased from an estimated $425 million on Monday to an estimated $500 million on Tuesday-- the largest jackpot prize ever offered in the game.

"A new Powerball record is very exciting, but we also want to remind players to play responsibly," said May Scheve Reardon, executive director for the Missouri Lottery, said Tuesday in a news release. "It still takes just one ticket to win, whether the jackpot is $40 million or today's phenomenal $500 million."

The cash option is now worth approximately $327 million in one payment before taxes.

When asked what he do if he had tonight's winning ticket, Darrell Williams of Sikeston quickly replied: "Get the hell out of Sikeston!"

And then he clarified his statement.

"I'd take a really long vacation," Williams said.

He said he'd also pay off his mortgage and some bills. Then he'd buy he and wife a new house and each of his two daughters a house.

For the complete article and more stories from the Standard Democrat, log on to the electronic edition.