A retired Army veteran’s stop for gas turned into a $100,000 Powerball win, because of a second look and the Power Play multiplier.
Some days come and go just like the rest. Others have a way of surprising you in the middle of an errand you hardly think twice about.
For Brian Edwards, a retired Army veteran, the day started like every other. He was at home, settling into retirement, and enjoying a slower pace after years of service. A headline moment could not have been predicted. Then came a quick stop for gas for his lawnmower, a routine purchase, and a decision that would end with six figures attached to it.
On occasion, Brian plays Hoosier Lottery draw games. Not out of habit or strategy, just for fun. So when the Powerball jackpot grew close to $1 billion, it caught his attention. While filling up his gas can for the lawnmower, he decided to grab a couple of tickets. It was completely on a whim. A thought most people have at least once when the jackpot grows that large. "What if?"
The drawing came and went. The next day, Brian heard the jackpot had been won. He grabbed his tickets, wondering if there was any chance he had beaten the odds. At first glance, it felt like a letdown. He had matched five of the six numbers, not all of them. The winner's story wasn't his this time.
Or so he thought.
Brian did what many players do next. He checked the prize amounts online. That was when the disappointment fell away. Matching five numbers was worth $50,000. He was a winner after all!
But the story didn't stop there.
“Then I saw the multiplier, and thought, ‘Did I really just win $100,000??’” Brian's realization took that excitement to another level. He had added Power Play to his ticket. The multiplier for that drawing was 2X. And just like that, the prize had doubled. What started as a casual purchase while running errands turned into a $100,000 win.
When Brian told his wife, her reaction said everything. She couldn't believe it. Completely astonished at the chances.
It is easy to imagine the moment. Repeating the numbers. Checking again. Asking one more time just to be sure. Wins like this do not feel real right away. They take some time to settle in, usually after a few rechecks and a lot of nervous laughter. For Brian, similar to other winners, it was something completely unexpected that just landed in his lap at exactly the right time.
So how does this all work? Powerball tickets cost $2 per play. Adding Power Play costs $1 more and can multiply non-jackpot prizes by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or even 10X, depending on whether the Powerball jackpot is under a certain amount. That decision to add the Power Play is part of what makes the game fun and totally unexpected. You never know which choice will matter most until after the drawing is over. It could be a single number, a multiplier, or a ticket bought during an everyday errand. In Brian’s case, that extra dollar turned $50,000 into $100,000.
The money is obviously fantastic, but there’s something really special about the story that goes along with it. These moments are shared for generations. Not just about the money, but about where you were, what you were doing, and how close you came to tossing the ticket aside without a second look, or not even buying it in the first place.
Brian already has ideas for how he would like to use his winnings. A vacation is at the top of the list. He is also considering purchasing a motor home, something that fits well with his retirement plans. It kind of feels fitting. After Brian's career in the Army, his next chapter might include travel on his own terms, a luxury for a military family.
Brian’s story is a reminder that you never know when a split decision can change your life. A few simple things like a stop for gas, a ticket bought on impulse, and a few lucky numbers. Brian walked away with $100,000 and a story that will be a part of his life. It just goes to show that sometimes the most memorable wins come when you least expect them, on an ordinary day that turns out to be anything but.