North Carolina woman turns her luck around on Friday the 13th with $100,000 lottery win

A woman in North Carolina won $100,000 playing the lottery on a day often associated with bad luck.

Christy Merritt of Efland, North Carolina, won big in the lottery for the second time on Friday the 13th, challenging the notion that it's an unlucky day. She purchased her ticket at Efland Supermarket on U.S. 70 West in Efland.

Merritt cashed in a $250,000 scratch-off win with her roommate in 2018 and recently added another $100,000 second-tier scratch-off prize to her winnings on Friday the 13th.

"My brain could not comprehend it," she told Lottery. "It was very exciting though."

She purchased her second winning ticket from the same store for $30 from the "Black Titanium" game. 

Merritt, a farmer and grandmother of four, said she will use her latest prize to do something special for her grandchildren. 

On Monday, she visited North Carolina Lottery headquarters in Raleigh to claim her second big win. After federal and state taxes, she received $71,259.

"I have four grandchildren already with another on the way, so maybe I will take them on a nice trip," she told the Lottery. "Maybe to the beach."

The leftover winnings from the trip with her grandchildren will be used to pay bills and save for retirement, she said.

More winners:Two men claim million-dollar prizes from New York Lottery, one from historic July 19 Powerball drawing

What is "Black Titanium" lottery game?

Black Titanium is a North Carolina Lottery instant game that was launched in June 2023. The game costs $30 and winners can win up to $4,000,000.

Out of the six top prizes of $4 million available in the $30 "Black Titanium" game, four are yet to be claimed. Additionally, there are 10 out of 16 second-tier prizes of $100,000 and 22 out of 32 third-tier prizes of $30,000 that are still available to be won.

What are the odds of winning Black Titanium?

According to the Lottery, this game has the best odds of winning $300 compared to any other scratch-off game available. The overall odds of winning any prize from Black Titanium are 1 in 4.14.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?  

Tickets can be purchased in-person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.  

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms and conditions.