Man ‘Cried Like a Baby’ After Realizing One Detail He’d Overlooked on His Lottery Ticket Meant He’d Won $2M Prize – AOL

NEED TO KNOW

• A Michigan man won $2 million after buying a lottery ticket during a road trip tradition

• He initially thought his ticket was worth $10,000 before realizing he actually won the game’s top prize

• The winner plans to celebrate with a Hawaii vacation and invest the rest of his lump-sum payout

What started as a simple road trip tradition ended with a life-changing surprise for a 27-year-old Michigan man.

The Mackinac County resident, who chose to remain anonymous, always picked up a Two Million Dollar Cashword ticket before heading out on long drives with family and friends, the Michigan Lottery said in a news release.

“I was in Sault Sainte Marie with a friend, and we were getting ready to head home, so I stopped and got my ticket per usual. As I was getting in the car I said to my friend: ‘Do you think people ever actually win on these?’ ” the lucky winner told lottery officials.

Keeping with tradition, during this latest trip, he picked up a $30 Two Million Dollar Cashword ticket at a gas station.

Moments after buying it, he began scratching the ticket and initially believed he had won $10,000 after uncovering nine words, officials said. 

However, after taking another look, he discovered a tenth word and realized he’d won the game’s $2 million top prize.

“I’ll be honest, I cried like a baby,” the winner told lottery officials. “It still feels like a dream.”

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The lucky player recently claimed his prize and chose a lump-sum payment, which came out to $1.3 million after taxes, officials said.

He plans to celebrate with a vacation to Hawaii before investing the rest of the cash.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling problem, please contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network at 1-800-522-4700 or go to gamtalk.org.

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