Essex man wins with Maryland Lottery’s $1 Million Fortune scratch-off
Listening to his son’s advice about how to win big with $20 scratch-off tickets rocketed a retail clerk from Essex right into the Maryland Lottery’s Winner’s Lounge. The excited novice player just claimed a $50,000 second-tier prize on a $1 Million Fortune scratch-off.
The pleased papa happily explained his son’s winning suggestion. While many players have theories on how to play to win, his son’s idea actually put a winning ticket in his hand.
“My son told me when I get a $20 scratch-off, check the ticket number for a 20 or a 21,” said the Baltimore County resident, grinning. “He says those are normally winners.”
With that theory in mind, the lucky player checked out the scratch-offs on display when he went to the Wise Avenue Citgo in Baltimore to buy his Pick 3 and Pick 4 tickets. He noticed that the next scratch-off displayed for the $1 Million Fortune game was number 21, so he bought that ticket.
However, the 54-year-old player almost forgot to scratch the ticket. He placed it in the side door of his car and proceeded to go home and do chores. When he remembered the ticket, he scratched it off and was surprised to see the second-tier prize. “Holy (cow), I just won $50,000,” he exclaimed!
The lucky man hid the ticket in a lock box, where it stayed safe until he could get a day off from work to claim the prize. He plans to use the winnings to pay off debt, travel and build his savings account. His lucky Baltimore County store is the Wise Avenue Citgo located at 220 Wise Avenue in Baltimore.