It's rare to skip a trip to the casino and still come out a winner, but that's exactly what happened to a South Carolina man.
Michael Buckner, who lives in South Carolina but works in Escanaba, Michigan, recently defied the odds in an unexpected way, according to a Michigan Lottery press release.
"I was on the fence about going to the casino or purchasing instant lottery tickets," Buckner shared. "In the end, I decided on the lottery tickets. When I scratched off the $2,000,000 Mega Multiplier ticket and realized I'd won $2 million, it felt surreal. I immediately called my girlfriend to share the news, but she was skeptical too. The reality of this win still hasn't fully set in for us."
Opting for a one-time lump sum payout, Buckner will receive approximately $1.3 million. He plans to use his winnings to pay off bills, support his family, and save the rest for the future.
What is Mega Multiplier?
The "$2,000,000 Mega Multiplier" lottery game launched in September, offering a thrilling opportunity for players. Each $20 ticket provides the chance to win prizes ranging from $20 up to $2 million.
To win, you must match any of your numbers to the winning number in the same game to claim that prize. If you reveal a "2x, 5x, 10x, 20x, 50x, or 100x" symbol in the multiplier area, your prize for that game is automatically multiplied accordingly.
Buckner Beat Astronomical Lottery Jackpot Odds
There were only three tickets out of the original 1,994,971 available with the $2,000,000 prize. Now, only two remain. Based on the remaining tickets, he had about a 1-in-1.8 million chance to buy the jackpot-winning scratch off.
According to statshowto.com, when it comes to scratch-offs, the probability of winning increases every time you buy more tickets for the same game.
Their researchers illustrate the odds with a hypothetical scenario of a game containing one million tickets and a single grand prize:
- Purchasing 10 tickets gives you a 1 in 100,000 chance of winning.
- If you buy 100 tickets, your odds improve to 1 in 10,000.
- With 1,000 tickets, your chances increase to 1 in 1,000 of winning.
But they add that, over time, most scratch-off card players will lose approximately 70% of the money they spend.
On the other hand, a mathematics professor from the University of North Florida suggests checking state lottery websites, which list each scratch-off game's remaining top prizes. If a game has been available for a while with many tickets sold, yet still holds a substantial number of top prizes, consider focusing on those games.
Always Play Any Game of Chance Responsibly
The important thing to remember is that no matter what your strategy is, the odds are significantly against you when it comes to winning.
While many people can engage in gambling or games of chance without negative consequences, for others, it can become an addiction that devastates lives and families. Always remember to play responsibly.
Michael Buckner proved that passing on the casino sometimes can also have it's rewards.
