Amid reports of hours-long lines for Powerball tickets for Saturday night's record $600 million jackpot, numerous Long Beach convenience stores had no waits during the afternoon.
At the ARCO station at 3955 E. Ocean Boulevard Saturday about 3:30 p.m., Patch was able to buy a $2 ticket with no line, only fellow purchasers wishing each other good luck and offering tips.
"Don't pick birthdays," piped a guy behind us.
The California Lottery spokesman told the L.A. Times that tickets were being purchased at a clip of 1.5 million an hour Saturday afternoon and the Chicago Tribune quoted the same official saying that if no winning ticket is drawn Saturday  at 8 p.m. PDT, the jackpot may climb to a record $925 million.
"We are in uncharted waters," he added.
The winner of the jackpot must have five matching numbers plus the sixth Powerball number, and there has been no winner the past several draws, which is why the current jackpot has grown to at least $600 million as of Saturday late afternoon, officials said.
Have you bought a Powerball ticket, and where? Do you have a strategy for picking numbers? Tell us in comments.
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