Powerball Ticket Bought At Silver Spring Giant Worth Much More Than Winner First Thought

SILVER SPRING, MD — A lucky accountant from D.C. had an unexpected surprise recently when he tried to cash in a winning $2 quick-pick Powerball ticket that he thought was worth $100. It turned out that he actually had won a third-tier prize of $50,000, according to a Maryland Lottery release.

It all started a week ago when the 70-year-old, who is an avid Mega Millions and Powerball player, purchased the quick-pick ticket for the May 3 drawing at the Giant #354 located at 1280 East West Highway in Silver Spring.

The morning after the drawing, the man remembered to check his ticket before he went to work.

“When I looked at the numbers, I only saw three matches and the red Powerball,” he told lottery officials. “In my mind, I’m thinking it’s a $100 win.”

That's what the District man expected to get back when he scanned the ticket later at the Giant where he'd purchased the ticket. Instead, he got a message telling him to see the cashier. That's when he learned that his ticket matched four white balls and the red Powerball for a third-tier, $50,000 prize.

As for what he's going to do with his winnings, the father and grandfather told lottery officials he was probably going to put it in the bank and maybe go on a vacation, according to a release.