With Wednesday's Powerball jackpot at a record $340 million, players stood in long lines for their chance at a dream. Things were pretty hectic at Buz's Valpo Liquor Store in Indiana. Debbie Reel, the store's head clerk, told the Gary Post Tribune she asked customers to form two lines. "Is there anyone buying beer?" she asked. The Post Tribune said most customers opted for the lottery line. At the Lottery Supercenter in Fort Mill, S.C., co-owner Tripp Cauthen said he and his partners encourage players to stay awhile. "A lot of stores, they'll rush you in," Cauthen told the Charlotte Observer. "I just feel this might be the lucky place because it's a supercenter," letter carrier Zina Dukes told the Observer as she bought her ticket and browsed the shelves. The lottery is played in 27 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, where players face odds of 1 in 146,107,962 in matching numbers on five white balls and one red ball for the top prize. If a winner opts for a one-time pay-out on the latest jackpot instead of an annuity, the cash value will be an estimated $164.4 million, which is fully taxable. The previous top jackpot was $314.9 million and was won on Dec. 25, 2002. © Copyright 2005 by United Press International

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