Powerball jackpot reaches $500 million

BALTIMORE - It's hard to even wrap your brain around $500 million, but that's what Americans are trying to do this morning.

Today’s Powerball jackpot has reached the highest it's ever been.  And if you don't already have a ticket, get in line.

So far people have bought more than $1 billion in tickets for tonight's drawing.

The game is played in 42 states, DC and the Virgin Islands.

Never in the game's history has the Powerball Jackpot gotten this high. So how did it reach $500 million?

No one has won since October 6 ^th. The past 16 drawings have gone without a winner, and the ever growing jackpot is getting more people to line up and invest in a $2 ticket.

But don't get your hopes up too much--The odds of winning are 1 in 175 million.

The drawing is Wednesday at 10:59 p.m.

Jackpot details

• This is the second largest jackpot in lottery history.
• The cash payout is $327 million before taxes.
• The biggest was that $656 million dollar mega millions jackpot back in March 2012. There were 3 winning tickets and one of them sold here in Maryland.