She had never played the Powerball before. Her first try left her ‘hyperventilating’

As the Powerball jackpot eclipsed $2 billion, a Michigan woman decided to play the popular lottery game for the first time prior to the Nov. 8 drawing.

Was it beginner’s luck or just impeccable timing? Either way, Joni Thompson’s decision to purchase her first Powerball ticket left her $1 million richer, according to the Michigan Lottery.

Thompson bought her ticket at the Country Corner Supermarket in her hometown of Stanwood, lottery officials said. She matched the five white balls with the numbers 10-33-41-47-56.

She saw a social media post that someone in her county won a $1 million prize, then went to the lottery website to see if she was the winner.

“When I realized I‘d matched five numbers and was the big winner, I started hyperventilating, screaming, and crying!” Thompson said. “I had my son scan my ticket on his lottery app to make sure I was reading it right. It’s hard to describe what it feels like to win $1 million; I am still speechless!”

Thompson, 54, told lottery officials she plans to use part of her winnings “to build her new business.”

The only number that Thompson did not match is the Powerball number. One lottery player in California matched all six numbers, winning the $2.04 billion prize.

The current Powerball jackpot is $93 million.

Stanwood is about 50 miles northeast of Grand Rapids.

This story was originally published November 18, 2022 at 11:01 AM with the headline "She had never played the Powerball before. Her first try left her ‘hyperventilating’."