Former ZIP Code Numbers Bring $50,000 Pick 5 Win to Columbia Resident

A former resident of Queens in New York City used his old ZIP code when playing the Maryland Lottery’s Pick 5 game in late August and ended up with a $50,000 top prize. The combination 11694 played straight for $1 gave the Columbia man the big win.

A self-described huge fan of the Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5 games, he plays regularly. The player’s wife usually picks up tickets for him, which she did on Aug. 30. She was out buying groceries that eventful Sunday, and, before picking up her husband for a relative’s birthday party, she darted into Columbia Auto Care and Wash at 10611 Little Patuxent Parkway. There she purchased his Lottery games for the evening drawing, including the Pick 5 ticket with the New York zip code as his numbers.

They later celebrated their relative. After the festivities, the husband checked the tickets on the Lottery’s website and reports he could not believe his eyes.

“It really was something,” he said when sharing the story with Lottery officials when he claimed the prize on Sept. 25. “I showed my wife and she made sure to check again to be sure.” He was indeed holding a winning ticket.

The couple quickly made an appointment to claim the prize and began making plans for the $50,000 win.

“I need new tires,” said the winner’s wife when she accompanied her husband to claim the prize.

“We have a trip planned for next year,” added the big winner. “So, I will pay that off too.”

The couple said the remaining winnings will go into savings.

Celebrating with the couple is Columbia Auto Care and Wash, the Lottery retailer that sold the winning ticket, as the business receives a $500 bonus from the Lottery.