Baltimore resident wins big on first attempt at the game
A Pick 5 Lottery novice from Baltimore enjoyed a case of beginner’s luck after purchasing a $1 straight bet ticket in the March 14 midday drawing. He won $50,000!
The winner, who chose to remain anonymous, selected the nickname “Alex” to share the story of his Lottery luck.
“Alex” rarely plays Lottery games other than Powerball and Mega Millions when the jackpots are high. He took a chance on Pick 5 because his friend suggested he play while the two were visiting Niki Food Mart & Lottery in Baltimore. “Alex” obliged because his friend always seems to win. The novice purchased a Pick 5 ticket with a store employee’s assistance.
“I never played before and I couldn’t think of five random numbers so I told the retailer to pick the numbers for me,” he said. “I wasn’t expecting to win anything.”
A few days later, as he was filling up his gas tank, “Alex” remembered the ticket he had purchased. Running into the crowded store, he asked a store employee to scan the ticket and was told he had a big winner! The employee didn’t disclose the prize amount but said the store couldn’t cash a winning ticket that large.
The bewildered player then headed to a casino to try to claim his prize. He discovered the prize amount was $50,000, which can only be claimed at Lottery headquarters in Baltimore.
“I thought it was a defective ticket because of the retailer not telling me how much it was but when they told me (how much it was) at the casino, I almost fell out,” the winner said. “I could not believe what I was hearing.”
“Alex” was very excited by the casino employee’s news but didn’t celebrate because he didn’t want to attract attention. He quickly made his appointment at Lottery headquarters to claim his prize.
When asked how he plans on spending the windfall, “Alex” said he will pay bills and spoil his wife. He also plans to keep playing Pick 5. “After something like this happens to you, you’ve got to feel more motivated to play and I plan to play more often.”
His lucky Pick 5 retailer, Niki Food Mart & Lottery, is located at 6301 Kenwood Avenue in Baltimore. The Baltimore County retailer will receive a $500 bonus from the Lottery for selling a $50,000-winning Pick 5 ticket.
