Homemaker Plays Bonus Match 5, Brings Home the Bacon

Laurel resident’s $6 bet leads to $50,002 big win

“Jenny” of Laurel found loads of Lottery luck in March playing Bonus Match 5 with one of nine sets of personal numbers. The 76-year-old brought home a $50,002 top-prize win in the March 17 drawing.

The lucky Prince George’s County homemaker went searching for Lottery fun and games at her local Shell gas station on the day of the drawing. Although she only plays the occasional instant ticket, “Jenny” spontaneously bought a scratch-off and a $6 Bonus Match 5 ticket at Jessup Shell in Howard County.

Her winning combination was 8, 20, 26, 31 and 38. To win with Bonus Match 5, a player must match five, four or three of the five winning numbers. Matching the Bonus Ball requires a player to match four, three or two of the winning numbers for a prize. However, “Jenny” didn’t need the Bonus Ball to win because she matched the first five numbers. The Maryland Lottery has had 17 top-prize Bonus Match 5 winners already in 2021.

The winner already has plans for her prize. “I plan on spending the money on myself,” said “Jenny,” a mother of one. “I’m going to purchase a car but I’m not sure which one I will buy.”

For a limited time, Bonus Match 5 and other Maryland Lottery terminal games qualify for the Lottery’s Spring Fling Promotion running from April 5 to May 2. Players have a chance to win a free $1, $2 or $10 FAST PLAY ticket instantly when buying the ticket for their game. The free ticket will print automatically with the purchased ticket.

Maryland Lottery retailers also win big when their customers win big. The Jessup Shell located at 8755 Washington Boulevard in Jessup will receive a $500 bonus from the Lottery for selling a top-prize winning Bonus Match 5 ticket.