There’s a new millionaire in Cobleskill.
Tu “Johnny” Vu won $1 million in the New York State Lottery’s Poker game on November 1.
Mr. Vu was announced as one of the winners in a press conference at the Lottery’s office in Schenectady on Thursday.
Mr. Vu, 26, was driving back to his home in Cobleskill after shopping at one of Albany’s specialty markets.
He had forgotten to buy green onions, so he stopped at Price Chopper in Cobleskill to get some.
While standing in line with his produce, Mr. Vu spotted the colorful New York Poker instant tickets in the vending machine near the front of the store.
“I bought the ticket because I liked the colors,” Mr. Vu said. “I gave it to my girl friend to hold and never really thought about it again until she scratched it that night at home and asked me if I thought it was a winner.
“I really didn’t know. My brother convinced us both it was.”
The next day, he drove from Cobleskill to the Lottery’s office in Schenectady to claim his prize.
“Once I knew it was a winner, it never left my pocket,” Mr. Vu said of the ticket.
A self-employed manicurist, Mr. Vu plans to use his $1 million to finance his dream of opening his own spa business. He also plans to “help family, pay bills and donate to charity.”
As with most Lottery instant games, the top prize on New York Poker is paid as an annuity.
Mr. Vu will receive his prize in 20 annual payments of $50,000 each. He will receive an annual net check of $33,015 through 2028.