A Michigan man got quite the surprise, learning that he'd won nearly a half million dollars while he was watching television.

The Wayne County resident found out he'd won $439,714 when he saw his special set of numbers - the numbers he regularly plays - come up on the screen while he was watching TV.

Playing a Special Set of Numbers

The player tells the Michigan Lottery that he plays numbers based on important dates, and knew immediately that he'd won when the numbers appeared on the screen.

“I play a combination of numbers made up of special dates,” the player said. “I was watching TV when the winning Fantasy 5 numbers came up on the screen. I immediately recognized them and started shouting to my wife, ‘We won! We won!’"

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The 70-year-old player bought his winning Fantasy Five ticket at the Kennedy Liquor Store in Detroit. He hit it big on the October 27 drawing.

He Has Big Plans to Help People

The player tells the Lottery that he plans to use his newfound money to donate to various charities, help some people, and save the rest.

“Winning is a great feeling, especially because it means I get to use the money to help people,” he said.

KEEP READING:  While winning a large lottery jackpot may seem like a dream come true, that's not always the case. Keep reading to see six Michigan residents whose lives were ruined after winning large jackpots from the Michigan Lottery.

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