A man who won USD 50,000 playing the lottery using decade-old numbers was just one number away from pocketing USD 10 million.

Newsflash obtained a statement from the Maryland Lottery on Tuesday, 7th March, saying the lucky winner plans to pay some bills and go on holiday.

The man – from Lutherville, in the US state of Maryland – won USD 50,000 (GBP 42,200) after the Powerball numbers from an old ticket helped him match four out of five white balls and the Power Ball in the Double Play drawing on 27th February, lottery officials said.

The lucky winner, who has not been named but who goes by the nickname ‘Easy Does It’, said the story of his big win started a decade ago.

The Baltimore County man said he purchased a quick-pick or random-generated ticket years ago that featured significant dates in his life. He was so impressed with the coincidence that he decided to continue playing the numbers: 8, 25, 27, 33, and 44.

He said: “I got the ticket one day and I have played those numbers every time for the past 10 years. I am glad it paid off.”

The lucky winner bought a USD 8 (GBP 7) ticket for the drawing on 27th February at Margate BP, located at 1601 York Road in Lutherville.

He added Power Play and Double Play to the two-line ticket and won in the Double Play drawing that followed the regular drawing. He was one of two players in the USA who won the USD 50,000 third-tier Double Play prize.

The lucky winner, reportedly a retired government employee, was one number away from winning the Double Play top prize of USD 10 million (GBP 8.4 million). He had the number 25 instead of 34, but was reportedly happy all the same.

He said: “I am very happy with USD 50,000. It was amazing to win.”

He and his wife have already decided how to spend the money, with Easy Does It saying: “We are going to pay off bills and take a much-needed vacation.”