Baltimore, MD – A first-time Powerball player from Suitland turned a spur-of-the-moment decision into a $50,000 win in the August 30 drawing, Maryland Lottery officials announced.
The player, who claimed his prize Thursday at Lottery headquarters, said he decided to buy a ticket after noticing the soaring jackpot. Nobody has matched all six numbers since May 31, sending the top prize climbing to an estimated $1.7 billion for Saturday’s drawing — the third-largest in Powerball history. The cash option is valued at $770.3 million.
The novice winner matched four of the first five numbers plus the Powerball, securing a third-tier prize worth $50,000. His lucky ticket was sold at Shore Stop in Stevensville on Romancoke Road.
“This is actually my first time playing,” he told lottery officials. “Why not?”
When he checked the ticket, he briefly thought he had hit the jackpot. “I was in shock,” he said. After carefully comparing the numbers, he realized he was one short — but still $50,000 richer.
He used the Maryland Lottery app to verify his prize several times before believing it. “I had to check it three or four more times,” he admitted.
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The winner said he plans to put his money into savings while deciding what to do next. As for whether he’ll try his luck again, he said simply, “Maybe.”