LANSING, November 16, 1999 — When Anthony Abraham of Grosse Pointe Park found out that he had matched the first five numbers in the November 9 Big Game drawing, he initially thought he had won $5,000. Imagine his surprise when he realized he actually won the $150,000 prize! That day’s winning numbers were: 12, 13, 26, 40, 42 and the Big Money Ball Number was 27.
"I saw the winning numbers in the Detroit Free Press," Abraham said. "I thought I may have won $5,000, but my wife thought it was more like $100,000. I ran outside, grabbed the ticket out from under the visor in my car and ran down to the store in my pajamas to find out just how much the ticket was worth! When the clerk told me it was worth $150,000 I was completely surprised. My wife and I were both in awe. It was definitely the best morning we have had in a long time!"
When not coaching a baseball team or cheering on his sons at hockey games, Abraham said he enjoys playing Lottery games. He added that he has been playing The Big Game regularly for the past three years. The 40-year-old winner purchased the winning Big Game "easy pick" ticket at Wine Basket Party Shoppe, 16450 E. Warren Avenue, in Detroit.
Abraham, the owner of Finish Craft Construction Company, said he plans to use part of his winnings to make home improvements and save the rest.
The lucky man believes anyone can win Lottery games. He played an extra set of wagers on a hunch and won a bunch!
"I usually buy $5 worth of tickets for a drawing, but something told me to buy $10 worth that day," Abraham said. "The winning ticket was in that second set of wagers! It really is true — you can’t win if you don’t play!"
The Big Game is a multistate lottery game in Michigan, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Virginia. Wagers cost $1 each and tickets may be purchased at more than 6,400 Michigan Lottery retailers statewide.
Big Game drawings are conducted every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. The next Big Game drawing is tonight (Tuesday), with an expected jackpot of $7 million.
