Jarrettsville man claims first top prize on scratch-off game
A novice poker player who enjoys Maryland Lottery scratch-offs didn’t need much experience to win $100,000 on the Lottery’s Poker Showdown scratch-off game. The full-time college student, who still does construction work part time, is shaking in his boots after nabbing the game’s very first $100,000 top prize.
The 18-year-old grew up watching his father and grandfather play Lottery games and the Jarrettsville man was anxious to try his luck at some of the games, too. When he turned 18 and became eligible to play Lottery games, he really took to scratch-offs.
He found his prize on a weekday night. The winner and a friend stopped at the Jarrettsville 7-Eleven to purchase a few games in hopes of winning a little something. He won $50 on one scratch-off and reinvested $10 of his prize on the Poker Showdown ticket.
“I thought I would give it a try because I’ve never seen it before,” said the winner. He scratched the ticket there in the store. Because he’s only played poker a few times, the Harford County resident was unsure if the ticket was a winner. The young adult scanned the ticket using the store ticket checker and was blown away when the message said “Cash at Lottery!” He realized then that he had a royal flush, which translated to a top-prize win!
“Oh my gosh,” he said, “I almost fainted.”
The winner immediately called his father and grandfather to share the news and to make sure he indeed had a royal flush. “They play poker much more than me, they know the game,” he said. The two men confirmed his luck. The fortunate fellow locked up his ticket and slept restlessly all night. He happily claimed his prize the next day at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore.
The lucky player plans to save most of his winnings and may get a new truck. He’s determined to spend his prize wisely.
Also celebrating is the 7-Eleven. The retailer located at 1752 Jarrettsville Road will receive a $1,000 bonus from the Lottery for selling a top-prize ticket with a prize between $100,000 and $1 million.
The Poker Showdown scratch-off still has three $100,000 top prizes remaining and sixteen $10,000 prizes up for grabs. The game launched Aug. 24.