Trash ticket turns into treasure as Ohio man cashes in $50K lottery win

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1 min read
May 11, 2026

Ohio Lottery player hits $50K after strange lucky break

EUCLID, OH — A discarded lottery ticket found on the ground led to a surprising $50,000 payday for an Ohio man who almost never plays the lottery.

The Euclid resident said he discovered a Pick 5 ticket lying on the ground and decided to try his luck by replaying the same numbers.

The first attempt did not produce a winner, but he held onto the ticket anyway.

Weeks later, while feeling lucky with friends from work on April 28, the man remembered the original ticket sitting inside his glove compartment and asked a lottery clerk to replay the exact same numbers.

That decision changed everything.

The numbers 7-3-4-2-1 were drawn during the evening Pick 5 drawing, turning his $1 straight bet into a $50,000 prize.

Ohio Lottery officials said the odds of matching all five numbers in exact order are 1 in 100,000.

The winner said he had only played the lottery a handful of times before the unexpected jackpot.

Pick 5 drawings are held daily across Ohio at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m.

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Key Points

• Euclid man won $50,000 using numbers from discarded lottery ticket
• Winning Pick 5 numbers were replayed from old ticket found on ground
• Odds of exact match were 1 in 100,000

Chris Quigley
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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.

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