Paul Platz visited Lottery headquarters Friday to collect his $238,335 Fantasy 5 jackpot.
A Grand Rapids man got two surprises when he won the Fantasy 5 jackpot.
Paul Platz, of Grand Rapids, watched in disbelief Tuesday evening when he saw the Fantasy 5 numbers he had played – 05-11-15-16-30 – displayed as the winning numbers on his TV screen. The avid Lottery player sat in shock thinking he had just won a $100,000 Fantasy 5 jackpot. Little did he know, he actually had won $238,335.
“I barely slept at all Tuesday night,” said Platz. “I got maybe two hours and was up early to call my daughter and share the great news with her.”
When Platz called his daughter on Wednesday morning he got another surprise.
“I told my daughter I had won a $100,000 Fantasy 5 jackpot and she couldn’t believe what I was telling her,” said Platz. “She wanted to check the numbers for herself and when she did she saw the jackpot I had won was actually $238,335. Neither of us could stop screaming.”
Platz bought his winning ticket at Ogie’s Party Store, located at 435 North Park Street Northeast in Grand Rapids. The handpicked numbers he played represent his birthday and other lucky numbers.
Platz kept the winning ticket with his other Lottery tickets and didn’t let it out of his sight while waiting to collect his prize.
“Winning the Lottery really lifts a weight off my shoulders,” Platz said while collecting his prize at Lottery headquarters Friday. “I’ve put off projects around the house and can get those finished now with this money. I’ll also be able to pay off my house and car.”
The retiree plans to have a little fun with his winnings as well, including a trip out west.
Each Fantasy 5 play is only $1. For an additional $1 per play, EZmatch may be added to a Fantasy 5 ticket, giving players a chance to win up to $500 instantly. Fantasy 5 players select five numbers from one to 39. Players who match all five Fantasy 5 numbers drawn win a jackpot guaranteed to start at $100,000. Fantasy 5 drawings are held seven days a week at 7:29 p.m. Tonight’s Fantasy 5 jackpot is $100,000.
