KINGSVILLE, MD—Double-checking pockets before doing laundry is essential for Maryland Lottery players. Just ask a lucky Kingsville man who found his $50,000 winning Powerball ticket in a pair of trousers that were about to go into the washing machine.

The 75-year-old retired firefighter said that his wife was just about to do the laundry when he decided to double-check his pockets. The search revealed the ticket, which he had bought weeks ago.

The lucky winner purchased the ticket for the June 2 drawing at Walmart, located at 303 Fallston Boulevard in Fallston. He took the rediscovered ticket to a nearby retailer to have it scanned. After checking the ticket, the clerk whispered to him that he had a big win.

“I couldn’t believe it,” the happy player said. He later shared the great news with family and friends.

A loyal player for years, the retiree won $5,000 playing Pick 4 years ago. When asked of his plans for this prize, the winner said he’ll probably take a family vacation and he’s certainly going to keep buying lottery tickets.

His third-tier prize-winning ticket was one of 30 $50,000-winning Powerball tickets sold in Maryland this year. Those $50,000-winning tickets include two — still unclaimed — from the June 26 drawing sold by Texas Ribs & BBQ in Clinton and Paul’s Pit Stop in Emmitsburg.