Crofton’s “Crab Baiter” wins regularly playing scratch-offs, but never as much as his $50,000 prize on a $15,000,000 Cash Payout! instant ticket |
Scratch-off fan says this is his biggest win to date
A few years back, an Anne Arundel County player mistakenly thought he had won $50,000 playing Maryland Lottery scratch-offs. For that reason, when he won a top prize of $50,000 over the weekend in the $15,000,000 Cash Payout! game, he scanned the scratch-off four times just to make sure he really won!
The player, who goes by the alias “Crab Baiter” because he is an avid crabber, enjoyed his pinch of good luck this time. He and his wife stopped by Lottery headquarters in Baltimore on Feb. 4 to claim his prize. The scratch-off fan said the $50,000 prize is not his first, but it is by far his biggest win.
The 67-year-old enjoys scratch-off games, he says, because, “I’m an instant kind of guy!” His wife can attest to that fact. “Crab Baiter,” she says, takes his time playing instant tickets. He has a system that involves playing scratch-offs from the same game, one after another, until he wins. The Crofton resident sticks with games that cost $5 or less. While he often wins a few dollars, he has picked up prizes in the $500 to $1,000 range over the years.
“I’m pretty lucky!” he said. Winning is an added bonus for the “Crab Baiter” because he enjoys scratching off games and anticipating prizes. Plus, he likes to enter non-winning scratch-offs into the My Lottery Rewards second-chance program.
The couple has discussed ways to spend the prize but for now will put most of the $50,000 win in the bank. Some of the funds will go for small celebrations, surprise gifts to family members and possibly a special vacation.
Our winner found his lucky top-prize scratch-off, which is the first of seven in the $15,000,000 Cash Payout! game, at Wegmans #60 at 1413 South Main Chapel Way in Gambrills. For selling a top-prize winning scratch-off, the grocery earns a bonus of $500 from the Lottery. The bonus is equal to 1 percent of the prize.