LANSING, May 26, 2000 — Herman Rucker of Southfield could hardly believe his eyes when he learned he had matched the first five numbers in the May 12 drawing to win the $150,000 Big Game prize! That day’s winning numbers were: 12, 27, 28, 40, 48 and the Big Money Ball number was 25.

"I saw the winning numbers in the Detroit Free Press," Rucker said.  "I had to keep looking at the ticket because I couldn’t believe I had actually matched five numbers! This was totally unexpected and completely unbelievable!"

The 62-year-old winner said he has been playing Michigan Lottery games for the past 18 years and he truly enjoys the wide variety of games offered. Rucker purchased the winning Big Game "easy pick" ticket at Paul’s Conant Market, 3805 E. McNichols Road, in Detroit.

Prior to turning the winning ticket in at Lottery headquarters in Lansing, Rucker said he kept it in a "safe place." The lucky man said he hasn’t thought about what he wants to do with his winnings yet.

The winner offered the following words of wisdom to other Lottery hopefuls: "You’ve got to play to win, but don’t go overboard!"

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 (Friday), May 26 with an expected jackpot of $22 million.

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