Oklahoma City – Marty and Toni Byrd call themselves the ‘Wednesday and Saturday’ players because they don’t miss a draw on either day. Recently their persistence paid off having won $10,000 in cash playing Hot Lotto.

The Byrd’s have only played the Lottery for a year and they chose their winning numbers through Easy Pick. They bought their winning ticket at the EZ Stop, 11700 E. 86th St. N., in Owasso.

Both Toni and Marty were traveling separately out of town when they won.

“We had purchased a multidraw ticket but when we got home, things were hectic since we had been gone,” said Toni. “Finally, as we were trying to get organized, Marty sat down to check a few of the lottery tickets we had—even a few we had purchased from other states.”

Before Marty began checking the tickets, Toni mentioned that she had a feeling they would have some luck with their tickets. When Marty discovered they had won $10,000, he was in disbelief.

“I called my wife in to reread the numbers and make sure I was looking at them correctly,” said Marty. “I typed the numbers into the website to make sure we had won and even called the Lottery the next day to get another confirmation of the winning numbers.”

For now, the Byrd’s plan to tithe 10 percent of their winnings and pay off a few bills. What they will do with the rest of their money hasn’t been decided yet.

With a daughter working in the education field, Toni and Marty appreciate the Lottery’s proceeds benefiting Oklahoma’s education.

“We think anything that can help support education is wonderful and very important,” said Toni.