A LUCKY lotto player has revealed the exact sign that indicates you stumbled into a fortune.
Gary Lackey of Arkansas won a huge $50,000 prize after he scanned his ticket and saw a smiley face pop up at the register.
Lackey was stopping at Paul's Discount Tobacco for a pack of cigarettes when he purchased a Quick Pick Powerball ticket on a whim.
He bought it for last Saturday's drawing which saw winning numbers 2, 12, 45, 61, and 64.
The player got four matching numbers along with the Powerball number 26, earning him a huge jackpot.
"I play the lottery often and only won a couple of dollars so far," Lackey told Arkansas Lottery.
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“I checked the ticket on the scanner at Paul’s and was surprised when a smiley face appeared. So, I gave the ticket to the store clerk for her to check it at the register.
"I knew I had won big when all the bells and sirens started going off."
Lackey plans to keep some winnings for savings and give the rest to his church and his two siblings.
He first told his sister about the incredible score.
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Paul's Discount Tobacco will receive a $500 commission check for selling the winning ticket.
Lottery players might want to consider other strategies to boost their odds of winning.
For scratch-off tickets, you'll want to check your state lottery's website to see how many prizes remain and which ones are still available.
A daily lottery player, who has won thousands of dollars, revealed to The U.S. Sun his biggest secret to boosting your odds.
He advised looking around the store you plan on buying lottery tickets from and see if there are any losing scratch cards.
“If you see three tickets on the counter and you ask [the clerk] for the same ticket, most likely you're going to win if someone already lost for you.”
He also recommended talking to people who work inside the store and asking them who won and lost on particular tickets.
“They can help, they can definitely pinpoint out what ticket to play that day,” he said.
Another strategy that's worked for some could involve picking numbers that have meaning to you.
For example, North Carolina resident Audrey Woodard has won $25,000 a year for life after using family birthday digits.
However, other experts say you should always take the random option, as dates could restrict the range of numbers that you're picking from.
If you have a gambling problem and need help, the National Gambling Helpline is 1-800-522-4700.
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For more on the lottery, a chief executive officer of a state lottery reveals why winners should always make an important call before showing up.
And a financial expert reveals why you should never cash in your lottery ticket the day after winning.
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