North Carolinians can get excited this weekend as the Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots combine to over $1 billion.

Tonight’s $680 million Mega Millions jackpot ranks as the ninth largest in the history of the game. A winner would have the choice of taking home the $680 million jackpot as an annuity or $318.2 million in cash.

A winner in Saturday’s Powerball drawing would have the choice of taking home the $344 million jackpot as an annuity or $163.7 million in cash.

“Big jackpots up for grabs tonight and tomorrow night make for an exciting weekend for our players,” said Mark Michalko, chief executive officer of the N.C. Education Lottery. “Celebrating a jackpot win in North Carolina would only add to the excitement. Good luck.”

Even though both jackpots remain up for grabs, players are taking home lots of other prizes playing Mega Millions and Powerball. Tuesday’s Mega Millions drawing produced over 12,000 winning tickets in North Carolina. Wednesday’s Powerball drawing saw over 15,000 winning tickets.

The odds of winning a Mega Millions jackpot are 1 in 290 million. The odds of winning a Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292 million.

Players can buy Mega Millions or Powerball tickets at any lottery retail location or through Online Play on the lottery’s website, www.nclottery.com, or with the NC Lottery Official Mobile App.

The N.C. Education Lottery’s Play Smart™ program helps North Carolinians make the most of their lottery play. Visit ncplaysmart.com to learn about all things lottery, from tips on how odds work to how to enter bonus drawings.