Anaheim resident Daniel Peramaki, self-proclaimed "King of the $20 Scratchers," was left in disbelief after snagging a massive $5 million prize on a lottery ticket.

Peramaki shared his astonishment when he collected his check.

"I thought, 'No way!' I honestly thought I scratched it wrong," he admitted in the excitement of the moment.

The news of Peramaki's windfall was confirmed on November 2 by the California Lottery.

He decided to take the lump sum payment of $2.9M instead of the full amount in instalments.

After scratching off a series of non-winning spots, Peramaki's persistence paid off when he finally revealed the jackpot on his ‘Neon Cash Party’ ticket.

The stroke of luck came after a day filled with shock and a sleepless night, as the reality of his newfound fortune took time to settle in.

The lucky ticket was purchased from the Star Liquor store on South State College Boulevard in Anaheim, which is also set to receive a tidy sum of $25,000 for selling the winning ticket.

Serious Rituals

Peramaki, who takes his lottery rituals seriously, claims to be "very superstitious" and follows a unique method when selecting his Scratchers.

• According to lottery officials, he specifically chooses the seventh, eighth, or ninth ticket from new packs of $20 Scratchers.

• Adding to his list of superstitions, Peramaki prefers not to scratch his tickets immediately after purchase. "If I scratch them right away, it’s a loser," he explained.

• Instead, he tucks them away to scratch later, believing this increases his chances of winning.

True to his ritual, the $5 million winner was the seventh ticket from a newly opened pack, and Peramaki waited until midnight to discover his life-changing prize.

The tale of his win serves as a curious story of luck, timing, and perhaps, the magic of a little superstition.

More Winners

Also in Anaheim, the California Lottery announced that Raul Reyes Arreola is the latest to strike it rich, winning a whopping $20 million.

The extraordinary prize comes from playing the $30 "Set For Life" scratchers game, and the lucky ticket was bought right in Anaheim.

Record Win

This win is not just any ordinary prize. Officials have confirmed that Raul has won the biggest amount the California Lottery has ever awarded for a scratch off game.

This record-breaking win adds Raul Reyes Arreola to the exclusive club of top prize winners in the state.

The buzz of excitement is felt throughout Anaheim as locals celebrate one of their own becoming a multimillionaire over the weekend.

With $20 million now in his pocket, Raul's life is set to change forever, all thanks to a simple scratchers ticket.

Here’s 9 Ways To Increase Scratch Off Winnings

1. Understand Scratch-Off Cards: Familiarize yourself with the different types of scratch-off cards and their respective prize structures. It's beneficial to check your state's lottery website to see which games are available and what prizes remain for each game.

2. Play Higher-Priced Tickets: While higher-priced scratch-off tickets may cost more, they generally offer larger prizes and potentially better odds of winning​.

3. Set and Stick to a Budget: Decide on a specific amount of money to spend on scratch-off tickets regularly and stick to it to avoid overspending​.

4. Study the Odds and Prize Structures: Learn the odds of winning, which are usually found on the back of the ticket. Understand that different games have different requirements for winning and avoid games where most top prizes have already been claimed​.

5. Play New Games: Some players believe that playing new scratch-off games can be beneficial since prizes are randomly scattered throughout the ticket run. Check your state lottery website to verify if top prizes are still available​.

6. Avoid Common Mistakes: Always save your ticket and have it checked to confirm whether or not you've won a prize. This simple step can prevent accidentally discarding a winning ticket​.

7. Use Second-Chance Drawings: Many lotteries offer second-chance drawings, allowing you to enter non-winning tickets for another chance to win prizes. It's important to keep your tickets for these opportunities​.

8. Track Wins and Losses: Keep a record of your wins and losses to help maintain perspective on the games and manage your budget effectively​.

9. Enjoy the Thrill Responsibly: Play for fun and know when to take a break. Responsible play ensures that the experience remains enjoyable without leading to financial stress​​.

Source: Jackpocket