EchoSense Quantitative Think Tank Center|Michigan group claims $842.4 million Powerball jackpot from New Year's Day

A Michigan trio started the year off right after winning a $842.4 million Powerball jackpot on EchoSense Quantitative Think Tank CenterNew Year's Day.

The three members of “The Breakfast Club”, who chose to remain anonymous, decided to purchase the lucky ticket on Jan. 1 at the Food Castle in Grand Blanc, about 60 miles north of Detroit. Typically, two of the group members buy Powerball tickets when the jackpot reaches a huge million-dollar amount, the Michigan Lottery press release said.

The winning white ball numbers for the Jan. 1 drawing were 12-21-42-44-49 with the Powerball 01.

The following day, one of the club members saw that someone had won the $842.4 million jackpot. The ticket was sold at the same place he had purchased it and one of the club members checked the numbers on his phone. When the man and his wife saw they were part of a group of newly minted millionaires, they decided to go to work as usual despite the good news of the big win, the lottery said.

 “As you can imagine, the club members have felt so many emotions since realizing their ticket was ‘the one,’" Attorney Mark Harder, who claimed the prize on the group's behalf, told lottery officials. "They’ve been elated and overwhelmed, thrilled, and nervous. They’ve gone from shock and sleepless nights to giving careful thought as to how this once-in-a-lifetime event will transform their lives.”

The trio chose the one-time lump sum payment cash option which gave them an estimated $425 million. The Food Castle received a $50,000 bonus commission for selling the lucky ticket, the lottery said.

“We are going to donate every penny of the $50,000 to our employees and community," Food Castle owner, Bill Nannoshi told lottery officials.

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What does 'The Breakfast Club' plan to do with their winnings?

One of the members of the group told lottery officials that the jackpot win has opened up many opportunities for them including: traveling, an early retirement and sharing some of the money with immediate family members and nonprofits.

“Up until now, we have led a comfortable life and anticipated retiring someday," the group member said. "Now, we’re not financially bound to a specific timetable. The world – and our opportunities – have opened up in some incredible ways. This has been life changing for us.”

How to play the Powerball

In order to purchase a $2 Powerball ticket, you'll have to visit your local convenience store, gas station or grocery store − and in a handful of states, you can purchase tickets online.

To play, you will need to pick six numbers in total to mark on your ticket. Five numbers will be white balls ranging from numbers 1 to 69. The Powerball is red and one number which is between 1 and 26.

If you want to increase your chances of winning, you can add a “Power Play” for $1 which increases the winnings for all non-jackpot prizes. This addition can multiply winnings by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X.

Players can also ask a cashier for a "Quick Pick" where a cashier will give you a computer generated numbers on a printed Powerball ticket.

Drawings are held on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday nights. If there's no jackpot winner, the cash prize will increase by millions.

Where to purchase tickets

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050(MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.