7,998 tickets win top prize in lottery drawing with combination 6-6-6

May 17 (UPI) -- The North Carolina Education Lottery said 7,998 Pick 3 tickets purchased with the seemingly ominous number combination 6-6-6 won top prizes.

Lottery officials said the numbers 6-6-6 came up in Wednesday evening's Carolina Pick 3 drawing, causing 7,998 tickets to win a total $3.2 million in prizes.

The top prize for a 50-cent ticket is $250, while the top prize for a $1 ticket is $500, lottery officials said.

Lottery officials said triple digit combinations, known as "trips," are common choices for Carolina Pick 3 players.