GWINNETT COUNTY, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Wednesday's Powerball numbers drawn were 05, 16, 22, 23,29 and the Powerball numer was 06.
The jackpot was up to $550 million.
There was a huge increase in ticket sales on the final day before the drawing. In Georgia alone more than $5.9 million worth of tickets were sold before 4 p.m.
One player said, "$500 million. You could buy everything."
Maybe not everything, but it was enough to bring all kinds of people out, regulars and even first timers.
Frankie Jacobs is one of those first timers.
"It's the big jackpot. It's just too exciting to miss," said Jacobs.
The huge spike in sales had gas stations extra busy. Stephen Fuller works at a QT in Gwinnett County.
"We've had lines back to the coffee machines. We just can't get them in and out as fast as we'd like but we're doing our best," said Fuller.
And a lot of people aren't buying just one or two.
"In the last day or two people have been buying 10 or 20 at a time," said Fuller.
That's even with the extremely tough odds. Most people said they've heard all the scenarios, like you're more likely to get struck by lightning or eaten by a shark, but most said you just have to do it.
"One chance in millions but hey it's a chance," said Jacobs.
But most people said even if they don't win, it's worth it to be part of the excitement.
Ed Buckley bought five tickets hoping for a winner.
"You get that however long it is, couple days, couple hours of feeling just 'what if,'" said Buckley.
Jacobs said she just like the feeling she gets for being a part of it all.
"You can day dream. Think about all the things you could do. At least you have that dream for awhile," said Jacobs.
If you do win, you have one amazing early Christmas present.
The huge increase in sales is great news for Georgia, particularly kids because 40 percent of each ticket sold goes to education. Georgia lottery said so far its estimating sales to equal out to around $11.5 million for education.
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