Most people dread forgetting things, but for one Maryland man, a simple lapse in memory turned into the happiest mistake of his life. Instead of costing him money, his forgetfulness brought him a double payday worth a staggering $1 million.
The lucky winner, a retired Prince George’s County resident, admitted he couldn’t quite remember whether he had bought a ticket for the Aug. 20 Powerball drawing. Rather than risk missing out, he decided to play it safe and grab another ticket—unknowingly duplicating the exact numbers he had already chosen just days earlier.
That second “just in case” purchase turned into something incredible.
A Winning Strategy Born From Family Numbers
Earlier in the month, on Aug. 12, the man had purchased a Powerball ticket using a set of numbers with deep meaning: the birth years of family members. He even decided to tack on the Double Play option for just an extra dollar. For those not familiar, Double Play is a special feature that gives players a shot at another drawing, with prizes that can climb as high as $10 million.
“I played it and I forgot I played it,” the man admitted to lottery officials. That small slip-up ended up being life-changing.
The Big Realization
When the results rolled in for the Aug. 20 drawing, the Maryland retiree immediately realized that he’d won big—matching five white balls in the Double Play drawing and securing a $500,000 prize. He couldn’t keep the secret to himself and told his wife about the half-million-dollar win right away.
But in the back of his mind, he had that nagging thought: Didn’t I buy another ticket with the same numbers?
Sure enough, when he got home, he discovered his earlier ticket tucked safely away. The second ticket carried the exact same numbers, which meant the same exact prize: another $500,000.
“To look her in the eye and say I had a $500,000 win was good,” he told lottery officials. “But to look her in the eye again and say it was really a million—that was truly an unbelievable moment!”
What’s Next for the Millionaire Couple
The winner and his wife, who both recently retired, said their sudden windfall couldn’t have come at a better time. Rather than splurging wildly, their first priority is family. They plan to use the money to help their children and grandchildren, giving the next generation a financial boost.
It’s not every day you hear of someone winning big because they simply forgot about a purchase, but this story proves that sometimes, luck shows up in the most unexpected ways.
Quick Facts About Powerball
For those who dream of their own million-dollar moment, here are some key things to know:
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To win the jackpot, you must match all five white balls plus the red Powerball.
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The odds of hitting that top prize? About 1 in 292 million—steep, but stories like this keep hope alive.
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Drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET.
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Powerball tickets are available in 45 states, plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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Each state sets its own ticket prices and cutoff times, so it’s worth checking before you buy.
In the end, this Maryland man’s story is a reminder of two things: sometimes forgetfulness can pay off, and when it comes to Powerball, you just never know when lightning might strike twice—literally on the same set of numbers.
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