Mega Millions tops $1 billion. But you’re more likely to be struck by lightning — twice.

The idea of a billion-dollar jackpot — that’s billion with a B — conjures up fantasies of block-long limousines, mansions made of chocolate and swimming pools filled with champagne.

But with the nation in a frenzy over the top Mega Millions prize, now at $1.02 billion for Friday night after no winner Tuesday, here’s a few realities to consider:

Sobering odds

You’ve got 1 in 302 million odds of winning the Big Money. Might as well hope for a golden Wonka ticket.

Just for perspective, you’ve got a better chance of:

Finding a four-leaf clover: only 1 in 10,000.

Being struck by lightning twice: just 1 in 9 million.

Being dealt a royal flush in poker: a reasonable 1 in 649,740.

Looking for something even more unlikely?

Dying on a roller coaster: 1 in 750 million.

Filling out a perfect March Madness bracket: 1 in 9.2 quintillion.

What you’d actually take home and what the kids get

The estimated cash value of the $1.02 billion prize is $602.5 million.

But the NC Education Lottery reminds players that every $2 ticket raises 76 cents for state schools.

“We encourage everyone to play smart, play for fun, play for a good cause like education,” said spokesman Van Denton in a Wednesday email.

“So far, sales in North Carolina since April when people starting trying to win this jackpot has raised more than $16.5 million for education.”

Avoid the lines

So if you’re game, keep in mind that on Tuesday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. were the busiest hours for ticket-buying. Lunch time can also be busy.

But your 1 in 302 million chance can be conveniently purchased online at nclottery.com.

Take comfort from past Winners

As enormous as Friday’s drawing could be, it isn’t the highest-ever Mega Millions jackpot. That payout came in 2018 with $1.537 billion.

And if you’re counting the biggest jackpot ever, it came down in a 2016 Powerball drawing for $1.586 billion — split between winners in California, Florida and Tennessee.

In North Carolina, the largest winner to date is Charles Jackson of Cumberland County, who took a $344 million in a 2019 Powerball jackpot. (You may remember the email scam from 2019, saying Jackson wished to donate $4 million to people who opened a certain bank account. That wasn’t real.)

This Mega Millions prize started accumulating in April with a comparatively small $20 million, going 29 drawings without a winner.

But as lottery officials remind us: Somebody will win it eventually.