LANSING, January 10, 2000 — Edward Wojciechowski of Warren started the new year out right when he won a top prize in the Michigan Lottery’s Big Game! He matched the first five numbers in the December 31 Big Game drawing to win the $150,000 prize. That day’s winning numbers were: 4, 17, 32, 38, 46 and the Big Money Ball number was 26.

"I saw the winning numbers in the Detroit Free Press," Wojciechowski said. "I couldn’t believe my eyes! I matched the first five numbers and missed the gold ball by one number. At first I thought I had won $2,500 and was shocked to find out I had actually won $150,000!"

Apparently, the Wojciechowski family is very lucky with Michigan Lottery games — Edward said his brother won a $100,000 Cash 5 prize five years ago.

"I called my brother right away to tell him what I had won," the Warren man said. "He didn’t believe me at first!"

When not fishing or attending to woodworking projects, Wojciechowski said he enjoys playing Lottery games. He said he has been playing Michigan Lottery games on and off for the past 10 years, and his favorites are Cash 5, Keno and, of course, The Big Game!

The Warren man purchased the winning Big Game ticket at Bee Bees Liquor & Wine, 30913 Schoenherr Road, in Warren. Wojciechowski said he doesn’t have any plans for his winnings at this time. He said he needs time to think about it.

Prior to turning in his winning ticket at Lottery headquarters in Lansing, the winner said he kept it in his pocket at all times to ensure its safety.

The lucky man believes anyone can win Lottery games, and he offered the following words of encouragement to other Lottery hopefuls: "You have to think positively that you will win. If you don’t believe, you will never win!"

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 Tuesday, January 11, with an expected jackpot of $9 million.

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