Routine ticket turns into $450K shocker for Maryland man

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1 min read
January 22, 2026

Montgomery County man wins $450K playing same numbers nine times in one draw

CLARKSBURG, MD – A Montgomery County man is $450,000 richer after sticking with the same five numbers he once used to win just $130 — and this time, he played them nine times in a single Bonus Match 5 drawing, turning a routine lottery habit into a windfall.

The winner, who claimed his prize Tuesday at Maryland Lottery headquarters in Baltimore, hit all five numbers — 7, 11, 27, 34, and 35 — in the Saturday, January 17 drawing. But instead of a single win, his bulk ticket strategy paid off in a big way: he bought nine identical combinations, earning him nine top prizes of $50,000 each.

He said he began playing the same numbers after they once netted him a modest $130 win. Encouraged by the outcome, he continued to replay the combination — and opted for the maximum nine entries, taking advantage of the game’s volume discount pricing.

“When I realized I won, I thought it was a joke,” the winner told officials. But once the reality set in, he said, the two-day wait to claim his prize due to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday made him feel “nerve-wracked” with anticipation.

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The winning ticket was sold at the Harris Teeter grocery store located at 22700 Sweet Shrub Drive in Clarksburg. The store will receive a $4,500 bonus — $500 for each of the nine winning tickets sold.

The man said he plans to use the money to start a college fund for his grandchildren and will mark the occasion with a family dinner.

Key Points

  • A Montgomery County man won $450,000 after playing the same five numbers nine times in the same Bonus Match 5 drawing
  • The winning ticket was sold at Harris Teeter in Clarksburg, earning the retailer a $4,500 bonus
  • The man plans to use the winnings for his grandchildren’s college fund and a celebratory dinner
Chris Quigley

Chris Quigley is a Staff Writer and Community News Correspondent for Shore News Network, where she covers local government, public safety, community affairs, politics, and issues impacting residents throughout New Jersey. Her reporting focuses on delivering timely, accurate, and relevant news that helps readers stay informed about the communities in which they live and work.

As a member of the Shore News Network editorial team, Quigley works closely with public officials, community leaders, first responders, and local organizations to provide factual coverage of breaking news, municipal government, public policy, and events affecting New Jersey residents. Her work highlights both major developments and the local stories that shape communities across the state.

Quigley is committed to responsible journalism, emphasizing accuracy, source verification, and transparency in every story she reports. She strives to present information in a clear and accessible manner, helping readers better understand the issues, decisions, and events that impact their daily lives.

Through her work at Shore News Network, Chris Quigley contributes to the organization's mission of providing trusted local news coverage, accountability reporting, and community-focused journalism throughout New Jersey.

Chris Quigley is a graduate of Stockton State University and began her career at IN Jersey, the online news and media branch of the Asbury Park Press. She also worked at Monmouth Internet, the Ocean Signal Newspaper, and JTOWN Magazine during her career in both content management and operations.

Degrees: Business B.A. - Stockton University

Experience and interests: Criminal Justice, Business, Animal Care, Entertainment, Lottery News, Local News

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