While most parents see their kids as lucky charms, this dad has the proof to back it up. Michigan resident James Allen is up $200,000 after using his children's birthdays as lottery numbers and winning.
Allen told the Michigan Lottery that he first believed he had only won $50,000. However, he soon realized the prize money was four times that. The Powerball's Power Play had multiplied his winnings.
"I checked my ticket and went to bed thinking I had won $50,000 because I forgot about the Powerplay add-on game. When I woke up in the morning, I checked again and realized I had actually won $200,000!"
For context, players can add Power Play to their Powerball purchases for an extra $1 per play at lottery retailers and online. The optional feature multiplies the prize up to 10 times as long as it's not the jackpot prize or surpasses $2 million total.
More information about Power Play and the other rules for playing Powerball can be found at USA Mega's How to Play Powerball page.
Allen matched four white balls plus the Powerball in the Dec. 30 drawing. The numbers drawn that evening were 10, 11, 26, 27, and 34, with Powerball number 7. The Power Play number was 4.
He bought his winning ticket at Hoops Food, Sport, and Spirits, located at 2705 Lapeer Road in Auburn Hills.
According to Michigan Lottery's Jan. 17 announcement, James Allen swung by their headquarters recently to claim his money. The 63-year-old's plans for the money are simple and relatable: paying his bills!
As for his lucky charms, Allen revealed that he always uses his kids' birthdays.
"Every time I play Powerball, I pick my kids' birthdays. This time, it really paid off!"
However, he didn't share how many children he has, their ages, or if he plans to share a piece of the prize money.
Meanwhile, Allen wasn't Oakland County, Michigan's only recent winner. An unnamed 67-year-old cashed in on a $2.7 million one-time lump sum, per lotto officials, after winning a $4 million prize.
"I have played Lottery games for a long time, and enjoy instant games the most," said the player. "When I scratched the ticket off and saw I had won $4 million I couldn't believe it. I showed the ticket to my wife just to be sure I had won. After that, it still took a solid 24 hours before it really sank in that I was a millionaire."
The 67-year-old winner was clear that the money is a blessing for him and his family.
"Winning this money means less stress for me and my family and gives me the chance to help my kids," the player said.
CONGRATULATIONS !
Great story!
Always glad to hear about a big win!
Which kid was born on the 34th of what month is what I want to know. Or did he have six kids with that much of an age spread. That is possible of course but if he used their ages wouldn't he have to be constantly updating his Power Ball slip every time one of them had a birthday. I get that people use dates of birth or day of the month that they were born but the 34th one throws me for a loop.
I'm guessing 34 was the one number he missed. As the article states, he matched 4 of the first 5 numbers plus the Powerball.
Yes, I jumped the gun there. Thanks for setting me straight on this one. But if he plays his kids birthdays that does not explain why he played #34.
Logically, 34 is probably the age of one of the kids (possibly the oldest).
That is an odd spread of ages but possible I guess. Is it the ages or the days of the month he used. Actually the 34 doesn't fit the days of the month obviously so maybe the winner could clear this up but no winners of any lottery ever comment on here it seems which I find odd although I won twice but not more than six figures so that doesn't count.
If the oldest kid is 34 the father would have been 29 when the oldest was born.
Possible...I was 39 when my oldest was born.
Yeah...when my wife told me she was expecting, I said "what was I thinking".
34 = March 4th
34 is a winning number. I'm afraid he didn't play #34 which reduced his prize from the jackpot.
It doesn't say how many kids he has but I would think there were three kids with ages 26-27-34. The 10 and 11 would have been born when he was in his 50's. How many want new babies at that age?
I only asked for a back rub,
things worked out well though.
Congrats to the lucky guy, enjoy.
He probably just made up a story about his numbers since perhaps he had a strategy he chose not to share. I would have said the same thing in order to shut down further questions.
I read about an 86 year old man having a baby with his 68 year old wife, so anything is possible.