BY EARNEST WINSTON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
BELLEVUE -- Marv Schubert of Colerain Township wasn't thinking Wednesday about being one of the lucky ones alluded to in the sign above Register 7 at The Party Source.
As the drawing for the $194.4 million Powerball jackpot -- the richest lottery prize in history -- neared, he had his sights set on being the only winner.
Lottery officials didn't expect to know for several hours after Wednesday night's 10:59 p.m. drawing whether there were any winning tickets.
"It's too big to not participate," said Mr. Schubert, a first-time Powerball player. "I have a greater chance of being struck by lightning than winning. But if you give up all hopes and dreams, you might as well not be living."
The chance of winning was 1 in 80 million. Charles Strutt, executive director of the Multi-State Lottery Association, said there was an 80 percent chance at least one ticket would have all the right numbers.
Winners could choose a lump-sum payment of about $104 million before taxes, or $7.7 million per year, before taxes, for 25 years. "There have been people here every hour," said Ed Richardson, night manager at The Party Source. "Somebody's gotta win."
On Tuesday, The store sold about 20,000 tickets.
"One thing is for certain: If you don't play, you can't win," said Art Laidley of Hyde Park as he waited in line.
Mount Washington resident Alexander Padilla took numbers from a friend via his cellular phone as he stood in line.
Later, he discussed what he would do with his winnings.
"I'd probably give $2 million away to charity," said Mr. Padilla, adding that he would buy an island with the rest.
"And probably do nothing for the rest of my life."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
