Oregon Lottery Winner

$2,141,649.60 JACKPOT WON IN OREGON

A Two Million Dollar Wheel

I first learned that Cleo Sims had used my book, Lotto How to Wheel a Fortune, to win his $2.14 million dollar jackpot when I read it in the Oregon Lottery press release dated May 8, 1989. Immediately, I tried to call and congratulate Cleo, but his telephone number was not listed.

Later, when Cleo Sims saw my lottery software ad in a magazine, he called me. We had a delightful chat. I found he uses a computer, so I sent him my lottery software to make his number picking and wheeling easier and faster.

Cleo Sims wrote a very nice letter: "Dear Gail Howard, I cannot find enough words to thank you for your book, Lotto How to Wheel a Fortune. I have used it since 1988 to wheel my numbers. I have won 70 or 80 times with four numbers, and the big one for $2,141,000. I also won a five-number prize worth just under $800.00. In Reno for Keno, I have won $6,000.00 to $7,000.00 or more. I love your Computer Wheel (Now Wheel Six Plus) and also your Computer Advantage (Now Advantage Plus). I'll always remember you Gail Howard. Yours truly, Cleo Sims"

The Oregon Lottery press release reported: "Nine members of an extended southern Oregon family cheered and applauded each other as they each received their checks for a share of Wednesday's $2,141,649.60 Megabucks jackpot prize.

"It all began last December, when Cleo J. Sims, 74, of Myrtle Creek, affectionately nicknamed the 'grand uncle' of the family clan, coordinated a family pool of money into a bank account to purchase Oregon's Megabucks and Lotto America tickets.

"'We buy $22 worth every Wednesday and Saturday for a total of $44 each week,' said Cleo. 'We haven't missed a drawing yet, and there's still $349 left in the pot!'

"Cleo, who's won 30 to 40 times in the 4 of 6 and 5 of 6 categories, used a system for the numbers from a book entitled, Lotto How to Wheel a Fortune. He joked that he hasn't told anyone his system yet, 'but now I just might have to.'

"Cleo bought the winning ticket on Wednesday afternoon at The Country Corner in Myrtle Creek. That evening, after watching the televised drawing with his friend, Grace Peile, 76, Cleo checked the family's tickets against the winning numbers. When he realized they held the winning ticket, he said, 'Look, Grace. Looky here! We really got it!'"

The system that Cleo Sims used to win his $2.14 million dollar jackpot was my Balanced Wheel #606. This system wheels 15 numbers in 22 games. It has a 4 out of 6 win guarantee, which means he was guaranteed to win at least one four-number prize. But, of course, one can always win more than the guaranteed minimum. Cleo won a six-number jackpot.