NOTTINGHAM, MD—A retired bus driver told Maryland Lottery officials that when it comes to trying her luck, she favors scratch-offs and Racetrax games.

An instant ticket brought the Nottingham resident to Maryland Lottery headquarters on Thursday to claim the top prize on a $100,000 Crossword scratch-off. The $10 game, she said, was her favorite long before her $100,000 score.

“I have always enjoyed the crossword tickets and this one in particular,” said the 66-year-old. “I’ve been playing it for months now.” The $100,000 Crossword hit Lottery retailer shelves in August 2019 with a plethora of prizes. Our Baltimore County winner has taken her share of them home.

“I have won $50 more times than I can remember,” she said, “and even $500 twice.” This latest win tops them all, however.

The lucky lady had stopped at Niki Food Mart and Lottery in Baltimore on the way to her mechanic’s shop.

“I bought the ticket because I knew that I’d be waiting while my car got fixed,” said the winner. While she hoped the instant game would help pass the time, she had no idea that it would change her life.

“I must have looked at that thing for 15 minutes after I first saw the $100,000. It just didn’t seem real, just couldn’t be true.” Sharing the news with her family an hour or so later, the loyal player found that they had the same reaction. “They thought I was joking, were sure of it. They couldn’t believe it any more than I could.”

After a fitful night’s sleep, the player claimed her prize. The retiree planned to take a nap when she got home and then figure out which bill to pay off first.

The management of Niki Food Mart and Lottery, located at 6301 Kenwood Avenue in Baltimore, will receive a $1,000 bonus for selling the top-prize winning instant ticket.