OVERLEA, MD—A Baltimore player told Maryland Lottery officials that he loves Fridays. It is the last day of the work week and the one night that he purchases Powerball tickets

“Friday is my day,” he said with a smile.

Friday was also the day he purchased a Powerball ticket that won a $50,000 third-tier prize. The player found his lucky ticket on February 9 at Jack’s Fine Food, located at 4519 Kenwood Avenue (21206). The government worker purchased a $12 ticket for the Saturday and Monday night drawings. He chose two lines of numbers that tie in with family birthdays and added a lone quick-pick line, which won the third-tier prize in the Monday, February 12 drawing.

The loyal player’s ticket had 17, 39, 43, 53, 67 and the Powerball of 14, missing out on the $270 million jackpot by one number. When he went back to the business to scan the ticket and check for a prize, the startled player saw he won $50,000.

“I kept it to myself. When I saw I was a winner, I took a picture and put the ticket in my pocket,” he said.

The avid golfer plans to use his prize to help pay his son’s college tuition.

Both the Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots are starting to pick up speed. The estimated jackpot annuity is $457 million for tonight’s Mega Millions drawing with an estimated cash option of $216.8 million. The next Powerball drawing is set for Saturday, Feb. 17, with an estimated jackpot annuity of $306 million. The cash option is estimated at $147.8 million.