Arkansas Man Wins Powerball Prize in Missouri
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: October 21, 2009
A Hope man found himself trying "not to freak out" after realizing he was $200,000 richer while away on a business trip.
Brian Hodge, 49, said his wife asked him to "play some different numbers, because mine weren't doing so good," so that is just what he did for the October 14 Powerball drawing.
"I'm working in the Ft. Leonard Wood area," he began. "I had my computer, so I played a game of solitaire. It seemed like every card was a five or a 10. So, I said, 'Well, I'm going to play multiples of five and 10.'"
Hodge, a retired Navy officer, who now works disarming bombs, isn't a stranger to danger. Despite his adventurous background, he admitted that his recent lottery win had him "quaking inside." His only regret is not purchasing the Power Play option, which would've increased his winnings from $200,000 to $1 million.
"I thought about doing the Power Play, but thought I'm probably not going to win anyway," he shared.
When asked about plans for the windfall, the first time lottery winner said he "has some ideas."
"I'm going to pay off everything," he started. "I have one daughter who is out of college who has college loans, and I have two daughters in college. I am planning on helping them all. I have a daughter that's only 12. I'm putting some money aside for her for college. And I have a grandson. I am putting some money aside for him for college. I plan to put the rest of it in CDs (certificates of deposit)."
Powerball is a multi-state game that features jackpots starting at $20 million. Players who buy the Power Play option can increase their winnings from two to five times the amount won (excluding the jackpot).
Arkansans will be able to play Powerball starting on October 31st.
Brian Hodge, 49, said his wife asked him to "play some different numbers, because mine weren't doing so good," so that is just what he did for the October 14 Powerball drawing.
"I'm working in the Ft. Leonard Wood area," he began. "I had my computer, so I played a game of solitaire. It seemed like every card was a five or a 10. So, I said, 'Well, I'm going to play multiples of five and 10.'"
Hodge, a retired Navy officer, who now works disarming bombs, isn't a stranger to danger. Despite his adventurous background, he admitted that his recent lottery win had him "quaking inside." His only regret is not purchasing the Power Play option, which would've increased his winnings from $200,000 to $1 million.
"I thought about doing the Power Play, but thought I'm probably not going to win anyway," he shared.
When asked about plans for the windfall, the first time lottery winner said he "has some ideas."
"I'm going to pay off everything," he started. "I have one daughter who is out of college who has college loans, and I have two daughters in college. I am planning on helping them all. I have a daughter that's only 12. I'm putting some money aside for her for college. And I have a grandson. I am putting some money aside for him for college. I plan to put the rest of it in CDs (certificates of deposit)."
Powerball is a multi-state game that features jackpots starting at $20 million. Players who buy the Power Play option can increase their winnings from two to five times the amount won (excluding the jackpot).
Arkansans will be able to play Powerball starting on October 31st.
