Ronald Mueller of Hagerstown claimed a $50,000 second-tier prize in the $500,000 Crossword scratch-off game. The 39-year-old, a dedicated lottery enthusiast, turned his luck around after an unfruitful Powerball drawing left him disappointed. Mueller, who enjoys an array of games including $1 Million Royale and Powerball, decided to take a chance on his other favorite, a crossword-themed scratch-off, which paid off significantly.
Mueller originally spent $80 on Powerball tickets at The Corner Pub on 158 South Mulberry Street in Hagerstown, with hopes of landing the jackpot. Unfortunately, the Powerball drawing didn’t go his way. However, he used an extra $20 in his pocket to purchase a $500,000 Crossword scratch-off ticket. As he played, his emotions swung from disappointment to disbelief and eventually to excitement and joy. “I stood there for a minute with my jaw on the floor because I don’t have that type of luck,” Mueller said.
The emotional roller coaster Mueller experienced was evident as he went from feeling disheartened by the Powerball results to elated by his scratch-off win. Mueller hasn’t yet determined what he will do with the prize money but is delighted by his unexpected fortune.
The $500,000 Crossword game, which was introduced in September 2019, still has two of its original eight top prizes available. Mueller’s win marks the last $50,000 prize for this game. There are also three $10,000 prizes left, as well as additional winnings that range from $20 to $1,000.