Lottery player has computer pick numbers for once — and he wins big. ‘I’ll be danged’

An Arkansas man finally won big after letting the computer decide his lottery numbers for a change.

John Williams, of White Hall, won the $110,000 jackpot in the May 10 Natural State Jackpot drawing, according to a May 21 news release from Arkansas lottery officials.

Williams said he buys tickets every Sunday, but has had little luck selecting winning numbers.

“I said, ‘Let me get a better system,’” Williams told officials. Instead, he let the computer choose his Quick Pick numbers.

Williams ended up with three prizes totaling $1, $40 and $110,000, according to lottery officials.

“Well, I’ll be danged,” he said.

At first, Williams thought he’d won a few hundred dollars and asked a family member to verify his win, officials said.

After learning he hit the jackpot, he decided to surprise his wife by keeping the prize amount a secret until the morning they went to claim the prize in person.

“I thought he was joking!” his wife said. “He always teases like that.”

Williams purchased the winning Quick Pick ticket at J & B Gas and Grill in Jefferson.

White Hall is about a 40-mile drive southeast from Little Rock.