Man wins $1 million after playing same numbers for 5 years

Nov. 12 (UPI) -- A North Carolina man said he had been playing his "special" numbers for five years before they won him a $1 million Powerball prize.

Benjamin Sinclair of Winston-Salem told North Carolina Education Lottery officials his patience paid off when the numbers he has entered in various drawings for five years won him a $1 million Powerball jackpot in the Oct. 27 drawing.

"I've been playing the same numbers for five years," Sinclair said. "They're very special to me."

Sinclair said he doesn't play the lottery regularly, but when he does, he uses his special numbers.

"I only play when the jackpot gets above a certain amount," Sinclair said. "I knew it was a long shot, but I still used the same numbers."

The player said he was shocked to see his numbers match the first five numbers in the drawing: 08-12-13-19-27. He did not match the Powerball, 04.

"I had to look at the numbers several times to make sure," Sinclair said. "It feels great to win."

Sinclair took home a $705,011 lump sum after required state and federal withholdings.