Maryland man quadruples his Mega Millions winning ticket with simple $1 trick

Tim Todd of Huntingtown hit the jackpot when he added the Megaplier option to his Mega Millions ticket , boosting a significant win from $10,000 to a staggering $40,000 in the Maryland September 3 drawing.

"I do it all the time. It's more money that you can win," said the 52-year-old about his strategy of using an extra dollar for the Megaplier feature on his lottery tickets .

While running errands at the grocery store, Tim decided to check his $15 quick-pick ticket. As he began to scan it, an unexpected message flashed: "Go to Lottery."

Tim, an electrician, shared, "I said, 'This must be something good,'" recalling the moment with anticipation.

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Tim couldn't contain his curiosity about his winnings and had the clerk confirm his big win, finding that he was indeed the holder of a $40,000 prize ticket.

As for his future plans with his windfall, Tim intends to clear some bills. While he's still contemplating other uses for the money, one thing is for sure: He's thrilled with the outcome. “I was happy when I won on the third line,” Tim said with a smile.

The Washington Commanders enthusiast has a quirky ritual: He buys a ticket, folds it in half, and keeps it in his wallet for luck. Despite his wife's suggestion to buy just one line per draw, he prefers a five-line choice that pays off, as the third line won him the prize, a detail that brings a smile to Tim's face.

Tim's winning ticket came from the Dunkirk Wawa on 10245 Kirksville Lane in Calvert County.

Elsewhere, a lucky New Jersey resident has yet to claim their $1 billion jackpot prize from months ago . The player won the $1.1 billion jackpot from the March 26 drawing . The winning white ball numbers were 7, 11, 22, 29 and 38 with the gold Mega Ball 4, according to the lottery.

It was the first winning jackpot of the year , and the fifth largest jackpot in the history of the game. The coveted ticket was purchased at ShopRite Liquor #781 in Neptune Township, New Jersey.

It was the first winning jackpot of the year , and the fifth largest jackpot in the history of the game. The coveted ticket was purchased at ShopRite Liquor #781 in Neptune Township, New Jersey.

"While it is not unusual for winners of large jackpots to take their time to file a claim, we do urge all players to check their tickets," the lottery said. "We recommend the lucky winner seek professional legal and financial advice."

The player won the jackpot on March 26. The winning white ball numbers were 7, 11, 22, 29 and 38 with the gold Mega Ball 4, the lottery said.

The lottery said due to a 2020 New Jersey law lottery winners are allowed to remain anonymous indefinitely, and the identity of winners will not be included in materials available to public inspection under the State’s Open Public Records Act.