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Eastern Time (GMT-5:00) | Home -> Forums -> Lottery News -> Playing same lottery numbers for 15 years paid off Playing same lottery numbers for 15 years paid off Maryland Lottery: Playing same lottery numbers for 15 years paid offOn a hunch, bought multiple tickets with same numbers The five numbers Chris Hoffman played in the Maryland lottery for 15 years never meant anything special to him — until he won. Hoffman said they were just random numbers he chose: 3, 6, 9, 20, 21. He's not even sure why. "They're numbers I picked years ago and just stuck with them," he said Monday, three days after his wallet got a little bit thicker. Hoffman bought a $6 Bonus Match Five ticket from Ranch Liquor at Lusby Town Square on July 31. Then he bought two more tickets featuring the same five numbers. "I just got this crazy feeling the other night and I played it," he said. Hoffman couldn't quite describe that lucky feeling but said that in the past, an itchy palm nearly always meant money was coming his way. And come it did. $150,017. "It's a big thrill," he said. Hoffman, a husband and father of three, said he plans to use his winnings to pay off his truck, a 2009 "Redskins Red" Chevrolet Silverado, and will use the rest of the money for a down payment on a house. To win, players must select five numbers, one to 39, and hope they match the same five selected for the daily drawing. Prizes in the game range from $2 to $50,000, and players can win on multiple tickets, as Hoffman did Saturday. The 50-year-old Lusby resident said each time he bought a ticket he used the same strategy: buy three tickets with identical numbers at a cost of $18. Over the years, Hoffman, who works as a pressman at The Washington Post, said he had matched four out five numbers about 20 times. His near misses won him about $400 each time on each card. On Saturday, however, he matched all five, a 1 in more than 500,000 chance. That meant he won $50,000 for each ticket he purchased. He also won smaller amounts on one of the cards, netting him another $17. "It's not that often, but we've had it happen before," said Doug Lloyd, a spokesman for the Maryland Lottery. In 2007, a Mount Airy man won $100,000 from two tickets with matching numbers. In 2006, a woman thought she was buying a single ticket at a Stop, Shop and Save in Baltimore. She accidentally printed four identical ones and won $200,000. Although the game has a relatively low grand prize total in comparison to the millions that can be won in games like Powerball, it has garnered a very loyal fan base as Hoffman has proved by playing faithfully for over a decade. Hoffman figures he has earned about $10,000 for every year he spent buying lottery tickets — before taxes at least. "I kept thinking, 'I'm putting money in your bank, you're gonna put some in mine, eventually,'" Hoffman said of his lottery playing. "It's a nice little change in life, I guess." The news about Hoffman's big win came a day after his 27th anniversary with his wife, Lori. During the 15 years Hoffman kept playing Bonus Match Five, Lori Hoffman said she often wondered why her husband kept playing. "I used to tell him if he would take the money and put it in a jar somewhere, you would have won whatever you thought you were gonna win," she said. Her husband's win was the 'I told you so' moment to top all others, she said. Washington Post We'd love to see your comments here! Register for a FREE membership — it takes just a few moments — and you'll be able to post comments here and on any of our forums. If you're already a member, you can Log In to post a comment. 13 comments. Last comment 2 years ago by . grand rapids mi United States Member #69214 December 28, 2008 296 Posts Offline | | Posted: August 4, 2010, 8:28 pm - IP Logged | |
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Maryland United States Member #10659 January 14, 2005 4727 Posts Offline | | Posted: August 4, 2010, 8:40 pm - IP Logged | |
That's nice. I use to win the $400.00 every now and then on the Bonus Match 5. But, here lately...I haven't been able to cash in a cent on that game. Congratulations Mr. Hoffman...!!! Feeling, PRICELESS!!! | | |
Chicago United States Member #71182 February 8, 2009 887 Posts Offline | | Posted: August 4, 2010, 9:27 pm - IP Logged | |
Congrats to MR Hoffman but.........I can't help but wonder if he would have won ALOT sooner had he NOT been married to his numbers! LOL NO WAY I would play the same numbers for 15 years. Just get me thru this so called life...... | | |
California United States Member #61999 May 25, 2008 63 Posts Offline | | Posted: August 4, 2010, 10:12 pm - IP Logged | |
It's a daily game. He played it for 15 years and spent $18 every time. Assuming he played every day... 18 x 365 = 6570 x 15 = $98,550 He won $150,017 his wife: "I used to tell him if he would take the money and put it in a jar somewhere, you would have won whatever you thought you were gonna win" She wasn't that far off. Already regretting delurking... | | |
NY United States Member #24178 October 16, 2005 2244 Posts Offline | | Posted: August 4, 2010, 11:25 pm - IP Logged | |
It's a daily game. He played it for 15 years and spent $18 every time. Assuming he played every day... 18 x 365 = 6570 x 15 = $98,550 He won $150,017 his wife: "I used to tell him if he would take the money and put it in a jar somewhere, you would have won whatever you thought you were gonna win" She wasn't that far off. Figure he'll lose at least 20% to taxes, so his net is about 130k. 98k in a Roth IRA for an average of 7.5 years could easily have grown to more than 130k. Of course it he had saved up 130k it could have been turned into a lot less than 98k over the past couple of years. | | |
MD United States Member #1735 June 18, 2003 7162 Posts Offline | | Posted: August 4, 2010, 11:46 pm - IP Logged | |
It's a daily game. He played it for 15 years and spent $18 every time. Assuming he played every day... 18 x 365 = 6570 x 15 = $98,550 He won $150,017 his wife: "I used to tell him if he would take the money and put it in a jar somewhere, you would have won whatever you thought you were gonna win" She wasn't that far off. you get 3 lines for two bucks 365 x 6 yrs = $2,190.00 spent 6 dollar bonus match 5 ticket you get 9 lines if one ticket has 3 lines for two bucks all you have to do is play the same numbers on all three lines. Something is wrong in Denmark! from Md state lottery Pick up a Bonus Match 5 playslip at any Lottery Retailer. Each playslip has 9 game boards, lettered A through I. You may play one board for $1, 3 boards for $2, 4 boards for $3, 6 boards for $4, 7 boards for $5, or 9 boards for $6. You must select 5 numbers on each board you want to play. Make a heavy vertical mark through each number you choose. Use pencil or blue or black ink. Red ink will not be accepted. If you make a mistake, mark the "VOID" box at the bottom of that board, then use any remaining open boards to complete your selections. Please do not attempt to erase errors. If you want the terminal to randomly "Quick Pick" your numbers, mark the "QP" box at the bottom of each board you want to play. You can play the same numbers for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 drawings in a row, including the next drawing, by marking the appropriate "NUMBER OF DRAWS" box. Big John says. You don't hit the number. The number hits you!!!! | | |
United States United States Member #68752 December 16, 2008 168 Posts Offline | | Posted: August 5, 2010, 2:39 am - IP Logged | |
 Congrats to Chris Hoffman and family. Wow same numbers for 15 years? Lovely win. My palm gets itchy now and then, I know the big one is coming soon.
"Wait eagerly for the Lord, and keep to the way; God wil raise you to possess the land; you will gloat when the wicked are cut off". Psalms 37:34 | | |
PA United States Member #66644 October 16, 2008 1114 Posts Offline | | Posted: August 5, 2010, 11:32 am - IP Logged | |
I don't play the same numbers ........ I play at the same store almost all of the time ........ they have sold some nice winners .......... I actually won $100 once ....... that is pretty good for me ! Best wishes to all .......... but I need a Jackpot ! 
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United States Member #9694 December 10, 2004 456 Posts Offline | | Posted: August 5, 2010, 10:06 pm - IP Logged | |
Congratulations to Mr. Hoffman... Even if he spent a ton of money over the past 15 years - it is always exciting to win... | | |
Santa Ana United States Member #71664 February 20, 2009 607 Posts Offline | | Posted: August 5, 2010, 10:51 pm - IP Logged | |
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Santa Ana United States Member #71664 February 20, 2009 607 Posts Offline | | Posted: August 5, 2010, 10:52 pm - IP Logged | |
It's a daily game. He played it for 15 years and spent $18 every time. Assuming he played every day... 18 x 365 = 6570 x 15 = $98,550 He won $150,017 his wife: "I used to tell him if he would take the money and put it in a jar somewhere, you would have won whatever you thought you were gonna win" She wasn't that far off. I am sure he knows down to the penny just how much he spend to win big. | | |
Ohio United States Member #64199 August 5, 2008 44 Posts Offline | | Posted: August 7, 2010, 6:45 pm - IP Logged | |
with the odds being 500,000 / 1 which is actually lower than what the real odds are........ it couldve taken 1,369 years or more for any specific combination to come up......he lucked out...must feel good | | |
Viva La Chance! Rockville, MD. United States Member #44542 July 30, 2006 3868 Posts Online | | Posted: August 12, 2010, 8:16 pm - IP Logged | |
you get 3 lines for two bucks 365 x 6 yrs = $2,190.00 spent 6 dollar bonus match 5 ticket you get 9 lines if one ticket has 3 lines for two bucks all you have to do is play the same numbers on all three lines. Something is wrong in Denmark! from Md state lottery Pick up a Bonus Match 5 playslip at any Lottery Retailer. Each playslip has 9 game boards, lettered A through I. You may play one board for $1, 3 boards for $2, 4 boards for $3, 6 boards for $4, 7 boards for $5, or 9 boards for $6. You must select 5 numbers on each board you want to play. Make a heavy vertical mark through each number you choose. Use pencil or blue or black ink. Red ink will not be accepted. If you make a mistake, mark the "VOID" box at the bottom of that board, then use any remaining open boards to complete your selections. Please do not attempt to erase errors. If you want the terminal to randomly "Quick Pick" your numbers, mark the "QP" box at the bottom of each board you want to play. You can play the same numbers for 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 drawings in a row, including the next drawing, by marking the appropriate "NUMBER OF DRAWS" box. Just a thought, I understand your issue. You gotta take into consideration a reporter that probably doesn't play, doesn't know the game, and probably plays quick picks is MIS REPORTING. Never never never trust anything written or published anymore. This is just another mistake by the media. | | |
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