Gaithersburg player turns favorite Pick 5 combination into big payday
GAITHERSBURG, Md. — A Gaithersburg man multiplied his Maryland Lottery winnings fourfold after playing the same Pick 5 number combination on four separate tickets, turning one winning drawing into a $200,000 payday.
According to the Maryland Lottery, Russell Bowie matched all five numbers in the July 16 Pick 5 Evening drawing on four straight-bet tickets, with each ticket winning the game’s $50,000 top prize.
Bowie claimed his winnings Aug. 4 at Maryland Lottery headquarters.
The Montgomery County resident said he regularly plays several Pick game number combinations, including one based on a former home address. When he plays that particular combination, he often purchases four identical tickets.
The winning combination, 1-1-3-2-0, appeared in the July 16 Evening drawing.
Bowie said he checked the winning numbers after waking up during the night on his day off.
“When I saw my Pick 5 numbers, I woke up my girlfriend,” he told Lottery officials. “I needed her glasses to be sure of what I was seeing.”
After confirming the numbers, Bowie retrieved the tickets from his car.
“Once I had them in my hand, there was no chance of getting back to sleep that night,” he said.
Rather than celebrating, Bowie said he and his girlfriend offered prayers of gratitude.
The four winning tickets were purchased at the 7-Eleven located at 700 Gaither Road in Rockville.
The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus from the Maryland Lottery for selling the four winning tickets.
Key Points
- A Gaithersburg man won $200,000 by playing the same Pick 5 numbers on four tickets.
- Each ticket won the $50,000 top prize in the July 16 Evening drawing.
- The winning tickets were sold at a 7-Eleven in Rockville.
