Some lottery players pick new numbers every draw. Others let the machine decide with Quick Pick.
But there’s a third group: players who pick their numbers once and never change them.
They play the same combination week after week, month after month, year after year. Sometimes for decades.
And some of them eventually win — big.
Here are their stories.
🏆 30 Years, Same Numbers: $60 Million
Bon Truong immigrated to Canada from Vietnam in 1983. Shortly after arriving, he picked 7 lottery numbers based on family birthdays and important dates:
2 — 3 — 4 — 8 — 9 — 20 — 30
For the next 30 years, he played those exact numbers. Every week. Never changed them once.
On October 26, 2018, those numbers finally came up in the Lotto Max drawing.
The prize: $60 million (Canadian dollars).
Truong was so overwhelmed that he waited 10 months to claim his prize. He needed time to process what had happened and prepare his family for the changes ahead.
After winning, he said he planned to pay off his debts, buy a new home, take his family on vacation — and then return to his job as a landscaper.
🏆 20 Years, Same Numbers: Won 6 Times in One Drawing
Raymond Roberts Sr., a Vietnam-era veteran from Massachusetts, had been playing the same combination for over 20 years. His numbers came from birthdays and anniversary dates.
In December 2022, something told him to buy multiple Lucky for Life tickets — all with the same numbers.
Call it intuition.
When the drawing happened on December 14, his numbers hit. Not once. Six times.
Because he had purchased 6 tickets with identical numbers, he won 6 separate prizes of $25,000 per year for life.
His plan for the winnings? Buy a motorcycle.
🏆 30 Years, Same Numbers: Won Twice in One Day
“Joe B” from Pueblo, Colorado, had been playing the same Powerball numbers for 30 years:
5 — 9 — 27 — 39 — 42
In April 2020, he bought one ticket in the morning and another in the evening — both with his usual numbers, at different stores.
Both tickets won $1 million each.
Total: $2 million in a single day.
According to the Colorado Lottery, this was the first time someone had won two Powerball prizes in a single drawing in the state’s history.
🏆 40 Years, Same Numbers: $80,000
A woman from Pulaski County, Missouri, played the same 9 numbers for 40 years in the Club Keno game.
In March 2024, all 9 numbers finally matched.
Her son was the one who checked the ticket at the store. The clerk couldn’t cash it — the prize was too big: $80,000.
Four decades of patience. Same numbers. Every time.
Her plan: buy a new car.
🏆 10 Years, Same Numbers: $50,000
A retired printing press operator from Prince George’s County, Maryland, had been playing the same 5 numbers for nearly a decade:
5 — 6 — 8 — 23 — 30
In May 2023, those numbers finally hit in the Bonus Match 5 game.
Prize: $50,000.
He called his wife of 22 years immediately to share the news.
📊 Summary: The Persistent Winners
| Winner | Years Playing Same Numbers | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| Bon Truong (Canada) | 30 years | $60 million |
| Raymond Roberts Sr. (MA) | 20+ years | $25K/year for life (x6) |
| “Joe B” (Colorado) | 30 years | $2 million (2x $1M) |
| Anonymous woman (Missouri) | 40 years | $80,000 |
| Anonymous man (Maryland) | 10 years | $50,000 |
🔍 What These Winners Had in Common
1. Numbers with personal meaning
Every one of these winners chose numbers that meant something to them: birthdays, anniversaries, important dates. These weren’t random picks — they were numbers connected to their lives.
2. Unwavering consistency
They didn’t switch numbers when they got “cold.” They didn’t try new combinations. They stuck with their original picks no matter what.
3. Long-term commitment
The shortest wait was 10 years. The longest was 40 years. These players measured their commitment in decades, not weeks.
4. Modest expectations
When asked about their plans post-win, most mentioned simple things: pay off debt, buy a car, take a vacation, keep working. They weren’t playing to get rich quick — they were playing consistently over time.
🧠 The Psychology of Sticking With Your Numbers
Why do some players commit to the same numbers for years?
Loss aversion
Once you’ve played the same numbers for years, the thought of switching — and then watching your old numbers win — is unbearable. Psychologists call this “anticipated regret.” It’s powerful enough to keep players locked in for decades.
Emotional attachment
Numbers based on birthdays and anniversaries aren’t just numbers — they’re connected to people you love. Playing them feels meaningful, even if it doesn’t change the odds.
Ritual and routine
For many players, buying a ticket with the same numbers becomes a weekly ritual. It’s comforting. Predictable. Part of their routine.
📊 The Reality Check
Let’s be clear about what these stories do and don’t tell us:
✅ What they show:
- Some people have won big after playing the same numbers for years
- Persistence eventually paid off for these specific individuals
- Staying consistent kept them in the game long enough to win
❌ What they don’t show:
- That playing the same numbers increases your odds (it doesn’t)
- How many people played the same numbers for decades and never won
- That this is a “strategy” that works (lottery is always random)
For every Bon Truong who won $60 million after 30 years, there are countless players who did the same thing and never hit.
The difference? Luck.
✅ What You Can Take From This
1. If you’re going to play, pick numbers you’ll stick with — anticipated regret is real
2. Numbers with personal meaning make the experience more enjoyable
3. Consistency keeps you in the game — you can’t win if you don’t play
4. Set a budget you can sustain for years, not just weeks
5. Remember: every draw is independent — past plays don’t affect future odds
🏁 Conclusion
Bon Truong waited 30 years. Raymond Roberts waited 20. The Missouri woman waited 40.
They all played the same numbers, week after week, year after year. And eventually, those numbers came up.
Was it strategy? Luck? A combination of both?
Mathematically, their odds were the same every single draw. But by staying consistent, they stayed in the game long enough for probability to eventually work in their favor.
If you play the lottery, the question isn’t whether to change your numbers or not. It’s whether you’re playing with numbers you believe in — and a budget you can sustain.
Because if these stories teach us anything, it’s that patience isn’t just a virtue. Sometimes, it’s a winning strategy.
📌 This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Playing the same numbers does not increase your odds of winning. All lottery outcomes are random. Each draw is independent. Play responsibly and within your budget.
Sources: CNBC, Washington Post, CBS News, CNN, Fox Business, Massachusetts State Lottery, Missouri Lottery, Maryland Lottery, Western Canada Lottery Corporation, Colorado Lottery.
Andrew Brooks is a qualified writer and researcher with experience producing clear, trustworthy content on topics such as personal finance, lifestyle optimization, consumer insights, productivity, and informed decision-making. With an approachable yet professional tone, he focuses on turning complex information into practical, easy-to-understand guidance that helps readers make smarter choices with confidence.