John Murphy, pictured with his wife, Zina, was inspired to play certain numbers he saw on a license plate and won a $50,000 Pick 5 prize.
John Murphy came into Maryland to play Pick 5 and went home a $50,000 winner.
The Washington, D.C., resident said he was getting ready to purchase a ticket and saw a license plate with the numbers 43871. His cell phone number starts with 438 so he thought it was a sign to play that number. Even so, he was amazed to see that number drawn at midday on Oct. 17.
“I was in shock. It was the last day of my draw,” said John, who purchased the combination for the evening of Oct. 13 through midday Oct. 17.
According to the retired Metro worker, he is undecided on how he is going to spend his winnings, but noted he likes to travel with his wife, Zina.
John said Oct. 21 when he claimed his prize at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore that he has a family member who lives in Maryland who encouraged him to play in her state, rather than buying a ticket in the D.C. Lottery, which is his usual practice.
“My sister in-law knows that I play in D.C., but said to me, ‘You need to play in Maryland’,” he said, adding he is happy he listened to her.
AJ Liquors at 3801 Bladensburg Road in Brentwood is also happy he took his sister-in-law’s advice. For selling the winning ticket, the Prince George’s County retailer will receive a $500 bonus.
