But first there are some mighty long odds to buck in tomorrow's $280 million Mega Millions drawing.
With the jackpot in the 11-state lottery soaring to a record high, New Yorkers armed with the proverbial dollar and a dream yesterday fantasized about super-sized bank accounts.
"One dollar and that's it," said Michael Davis, a Greyhound driver buying a ticket at the Port Authority Bus Terminal. "That's all it takes to win, man."
The jackpot would be the biggest since The Big Game turned into Mega Millions in 2002.
In February, a Virginia truck driver bagged a $230 Mega Millions million pot.
The jackpot is even more than the $252 million Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez earns under his 10-year contract.
But the numbers aren't exactly stacked in your favor: The odds of hitting five winning numbers plus the sixth Mega Ball are a whopping 1 in 135,145,920.
And there's no real science to picking the digits, although some numbers - like lucky 36, which turned up 11 times in the past year - come up more often than others.
"I'll just let the Quick Pick handle it," said New Jersey carpenter Jerry Kelty, 50, who spent $10 on tickets.
The Friday night drawing will be held in Times Square, with lottery lady Yolanda Vega calling the numbered balls.
New Yorkers have hit the jackpot 25 times since May 2002, and plenty were lining up and dreaming big yesterday in hopes of becoming winner No. 26.
"I'm going to bail out my company so they can stave off all those layoffs planned for the next two weeks," said Janet Lemaire, a Legal Aid Society lawyer.
"I'll open my own pharmacy," said janitor Carlos Martinez, 48, of Manhattan.
I am not sure that I will play the notoriety of winning would be overwhelming and I would rather be flying under the radar. On the other hand it is hard to resist 290 million or 165 million cash option
I am not sure that I will play the notoriety of winning would be overwhelming and I would rather be flying under the radar. On the other hand it is hard to resist 290 million or 165 million cash option