Many Local Hopefuls Vying For $425M Powerball Jackpot
RANCHO CORDOVA (CBS13) - Cross your fingers, put on your lucky socks and think happy thoughts if you want to be the winner in Wednesday's $425 million Powerball jackpot.
Even though the chances of winning are one in 175 million, just the slightest possibility of having those lucky numbers is sending lotto hopefuls racing to the magic machines.
Rancho Cordova resident Maurice Belcherbey says he wasn't aware of the mega Powerball jackpot until he saw it on CBS13's morning newscast.
So he raced over to the 7-Eleven on Mills Station Road to get his fingers on the lucky numbers – hopefully.
"I'm gonna put my daughter through college, and she's gonna buy me a new truck, and a new life," said Belcherbey. "I'm gonna buy me a new life."
He wasn't the only one with big bucks on the brain. Within minutes, the store was flooded with other jackpot hopefuls -- from the superstitious to the happenstancers and the realists.
"Random, definitely random, I feel like I have the same chance as if I were to pick them," said Robert Walsh.
No matter the number-picking strategy, each knew exactly how they would spend their winnings.
"I'm going to Disneyland," said Dave Elliott.
In an effort to increase his odds, our energetic buddy Belcherbey -- with dollar signs twinkling in his eyes -- returned to the store just minutes later, looking for a little extra luck.
"Yes, the chances are better," he said. "Five more."
Although the jackpot currently stands at $425 million, with all of the hype, it will likely be even higher than that by the drawing time.
Powerball is played in 43 states and tickets are $2 each.
In May, a Florida woman won one of the largest Powerball drawings ever at $590 million.
