Man's 'odd' lottery strategy pays off with $2 million jackpot

May 25 (UPI) -- A Michigan man who won $2 million from a scratch-off lottery ticket credited his "odd" strategy -- steering clear of even-numbered tickets.

The 22-year-old Wayne County man told Michigan Lottery officials he visited the Busatti Party Store in Southgate and bought a Diamond Dazzler scratch-off ticket that conformed to his lottery-buying rule.

"I like playing instant games, but only buy odd-numbered tickets," the man said. "The Diamond Dazzler game is my favorite, so I asked the clerk what number the ticket was. When she said '21,' I told her I wanted it."

The man said he didn't wait to scratch off the lucky ticket.

"I scratched it off in the store and when I saw it was a winner I looked at the clerk and then at my buddy who was with me, and ran out to my car," the winner said.

The man chose to receive his winnings as a $1.3 million lump sum. He said he plans to buy a new vehicle and invest the rest of the money.

"Winning this much money at my age gives me endless opportunities if I'm smart about how I spend it, and that's exactly what I'm going to do," he said.