WALDORF, Md. — After 40 years of playing the Maryland Lottery, a Waldorf man finally landed a big one, and his first reaction was a joke.
“Is that all?” he thought when he realized his Pick 5 ticket was worth $50,000, according to the Maryland Lottery. He was still glad to collect a substantial prize after four decades of play, and he claimed it Wednesday, Oct. 7, at Lottery headquarters. The Lottery did not release his name.
He bought the ticket, along with a few snacks, at the 7-Eleven at 9500 Ruby Lockhart Boulevard in Bowie and went home before the drawing. Afterward, he got caught up talking with other customers at the store and didn’t notice the win at first. It took a second scan of the ticket for him to see it.
A $1 straight play in Pick 5 pays $50,000, the game’s top prize. Matching all five numbers in exact order carries odds of 1 in 100,000. The game is drawn twice daily, at midday and in the evening, and plays cost 50 cents or $1. The Bowie store receives a $500 bonus from the Lottery for selling the winning ticket.
The winner told Lottery officials he has won smaller prizes over the years, sometimes just enough to get his money back, and that he plays mostly because he enjoys it. His advice to fellow players: “Anyone who plays for this long should win big.” The Lottery noted that isn’t statistically accurate, though more frequent play does mean more chances to win.
So far he has told only his family and one co-worker who also plays. He plans to take a vacation and invest most of the money, and he intends to keep playing Pick 5 for as long as he can.
A lucky year in Waldorf
Waldorf players have had an unusually good run of five-figure wins in 2026. In September, a Waldorf man won $63,886 years after dreaming about a lottery win, and a Waldorf retailer sold its third $50,000 winner of the year. Earlier in the summer, another local player collected his second $50,000 prize of 2026.
The Maryland Lottery reminds players to play responsibly. Anyone who is struggling with gambling can get free, confidential help 24 hours a day by calling or texting 1-800-GAMBLER.
