A Lowcountry man’s bold move in the South Carolina lottery has paid off in a big way — with a record-breaking $811,000 win in a single Pick 4 drawing. His strategy? Buy 162 identical tickets with the same lucky numbers.
One Set of Numbers, 162 Times
According to the South Carolina Education Lottery, the man had a strong feeling about the numbers 1-7-3-1 and went all in. On August 7, he visited the Towne Centre Market on North Highway 17 in Mount Pleasant and spent $339 buying 162 tickets, all with the same number combination for that night’s Pick 4 draw.
His instinct paid off — big time.
Those four digits were drawn, and because each ticket was a $5 straight play, he won $5,000 per ticket, adding up to an unbelievable $811,000, the largest Pick 4 payout ever to a single player in South Carolina lottery history.
“I Was Excited, Of Course”
When asked how he felt, the man didn’t need many words. “I was excited, of course,” he told lottery officials. Understandably so — his record-setting win came from a gamble that most players might consider too risky. But for him, it was a well-timed gut feeling that turned into a life-changing amount.
His Luck Rubbed Off on Another Player
Interestingly, he wasn’t the only one who won big that day. While at the store, the man was overheard by another customer who decided to copy his lucky number choice. That player purchased just a few tickets with 1-7-3-1 and walked away with a solid $25,400 prize.
Why This Matters
While lottery wins like this are rare, they show how some players take calculated risks when they feel confident. The Pick 4 game allows players to choose four-digit numbers and offers the chance to win up to $5,000 per $1 straight play. Buying multiple tickets with the same number can multiply the payout — if the numbers hit.
Still, lottery officials always remind players to play responsibly, as the odds of winning are low, and gambling should always be done for fun, not financial planning.
The South Carolina man’s record-setting win proves that sometimes, trusting your gut can pay off in surprising ways — especially when luck is on your side. His bold choice to buy 162 tickets with the same number may sound unusual, but it landed him in the record books. And thanks to his confidence, another lucky player walked away with thousands too. It’s a feel-good story of luck, instinct, and a once-in-a-lifetime payday.
