No one came up the big winner in Friday night's Mega Millions drawing. The next drawing will be held this Tuesday, Jan. 4.

The New Year's Eve drawing was worth at least $242 million. A winning combination would have been worth about $9.3 million a year for 256 years, or a single cash payment of about $154 million.

The jackpot now rises to an estimated $290 million for Tuesday's drawing. Sales of tickets have continued to be brisk, according to several workers at Bergen County convenience stores.

The Mega Millions game is played in 42 states across the nation including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. The chances of winning are 1 in more than 175 million, though the chance of winning $250,000 is much more attainable at around 1 in 4 million.

The jackpot has rolled over 15 times since Nov. 9 when the last winning ticket was sold.

To play the game, gamblers purchase a $1 ticket.

Nationally, the Mega Millions has awarded three jackpots of more than $300 million since it was introduced in 1996. The game holds the record for the largest ever lottery of $390 million in March 2007.

Proceeds from ticket sales are divided among three recipients. Fifty percent of proceeds go to player prizes, 35 percent supports government services in the member states, and 15 percent goes to retailer commissions and lottery operating costs.

In Mahwah, New Jersey Lottery tickets can be purchased at the 7Eleven locations on Ridge Road and Franklin Turnpike, the Quik Mart of Franklin Turnpike, or any of the gas station convenience marts along Route 17.