Powerball Jackpot Reaches Historic $500 Million on Wednesday

So maybe you didn't get that large screen TV at Walmart because you weren't there early enough or valued your own personal safety to wait until later. It may not matter that you missed these deals if you can manage get to local stores to buy a lottery ticket by 8 p.m. Wednesday.

The Powerball estimated jackpot now sits at $500 million, according to the Powerball website, the largest in its history. 

The previous top windfall was $365 million, and was claimed by eight co-workers in Lincoln, NE, in 2006.

The Powerball numbers for Saturday were 22-32-37-44-50, and the Powerball was 34. The lottery claimed more than 2 million winners on the Nov. 24 drawing, but no jackpot winners among the 42 states which participate.

The jackpot could end up being higher in the days leading up to the draw, as many will use the opportunity to make the holidays a bit happier in the closing hours. There are plenty of places to buy your ticket in Port Washington and Saukville, including:

• Sentry
• Shopko Express
• Becks Grand Avenue Mini Mart
• Mad Max Convenience Store
• Pick 'n Save
• Piggly Wiggly
• Becks Green Bay Avenue Mart
• Mid City Quick Mart

The previous top windfall was $365 million, and was claimed by eight co-workers in Lincoln, NE, in 2006.

While millions of Americans can have fun dreaming about how they'd spend the jackpot, the odds of winning are 1 in 175,000,000, according to lottery officials.

For a reality check, a ticket holder is 25 times less likely to win the jackpot than they are to win an Academy Award. However, as the adage goes, "you can't win if you don't play."

Click here to learn more about prizes and odds.