New car license plates yield player’s big win
An Eastern Shore grandfather was overcome with excitement today as he claimed a $50,000 prize he won playing Pick 5 back in February.
The big winner says playing the license plate number on his new car led to his windfall. The Somerset County man, who works the night shift, almost missed playing his Pick 5 numbers that day. He wanted to get on the road to work in enough time to play his numbers, but was waiting on his wife. They finally left the house but then had to turn around because his wife left something at home.
“I’m sitting there thinking, ‘I’m going to miss getting in my numbers,’” he said, grinning. “Thank goodness I made it.”
They stopped at Crisfield Oceanic, where he has bought Pick 5 tickets before. The husband had just purchased a new car and was playing a variation of the license plate numbers in the Pick 4 game. He recalls thinking, “Why not try Pick 5, too.” So, he started playing his license plate number straight for $1.
“I really only had been playing Pick 5 for a couple of weeks,” he said. “I couldn’t believe I hit it straight so soon.”
The winner and his wife found out about his Lottery luck later, while at his brother-in-law’s house. The loyal Pick 5 player used the Lottery App to check the evening drawing’s winning numbers. He matched the exact five numbers in the Pick 5 game for a $50,000 win!
The granddad, who could not stop smiling while in the Lottery Winner’s Circle, said he plans to retire this summer and will put some of his $50,000 prize toward his retirement fund. He also plans to take a vacation with his wife. And, could the player’s good luck continue? He says he is currently playing the license plate number of another recently purchased vehicle.
The lucky player bought his winning ticket at Crisfield Oceanic, located at 55 Richardson Avenue in Crisfield. The Lottery retailer will receive a bonus of $500 from the Lottery for selling a $50,000-winning Pick 5 ticket.
