Imagine waking up one day to discover you’ve won a life-altering prize. For John Frey, a Middle Village resident, this dream became a reality when he hit the jackpot in the New York Lottery’s Set For Life scratch-off game. Frey’s winning ticket, purchased at a local 7-Eleven on Eliot Avenue in Queens, secured him the top prize of $5,000 a week for life—a reward many fantasize about but few ever achieve.
While the game offers a minimum payout of $5,000,000, Frey opted for the cash option, walking away with a lump sum of $2,122,378 after taxes. As of last Thursday, one top prize ticket remains unclaimed, leaving the door open for another lucky player to step into the spotlight.
The Set For Life game, priced at $10 per ticket, challenges players to match their numbers to six winning combinations. Special symbols like coins and stars add an extra layer of excitement.A coin symbol awards the displayed prize instantly, while a star multiplies the prize by ten. The ultimate goal? Uncovering the “LIFE” symbol, which guarantees the jackpot of $5,000 weekly for life. The odds of hitting this jackpot are 1 in 7,061,692.86, making it a rare but thrilling possibility.
Even for those who don’t hit the jackpot, ther’s still plenty to celebrate.The most common prize is $10, with odds of 1 in 11.36, ensuring that many players walk away with something to smile about.
The New York Lottery has been a significant contributor to the state’s education system. During the 2023-2024 fiscal year, scratch-off games generated a staggering $4.37 billion in sales. A portion of these funds, totaling $1.19 billion, was allocated to support school districts across the city, as reported by the New York Lottery.
While the thrill of winning is undeniable, it’s essential to approach gambling responsibly. For New Yorkers facing challenges with gambling addiction, help is available. The state offers a confidential HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or via text at HOPENY (467369). Additionally, “If you or a loved one has questions or needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit 1800gambler.net for more facts.”
What Are the potential Formatting Issues When Using Unix-Style Newlines (`n`) in Windows-Based Applications?
In Unix-style systems like Linux and macOS, the character n represents a newline, marking the end of a line in text files. However, in Windows environments, a newline is typically represented by a combination of two characters: rn (carriage return followed by a newline). This distinction can lead to formatting issues when files created in Unix-based systems are opened or processed in Windows.
Most modern text editors and IDEs, including Notepad++, can interpret both n and rn as newlines and display them correctly. However, core Windows utilities and some applications may not recognize n as a valid newline character, which can cause formatting issues when files are opened or processed in Windows.
If you are working in a Windows environment and need to ensure compatibility, it is generally recommended to use rn for newlines. This ensures that the file will be correctly interpreted by Windows-based tools and applications. In Notepad++, you can use the “Find and Replace” feature to replace n with rn if needed.
For more details, you can refer to the discussion on Super User.
How did winning the lottery impact John Frey’s immediate plans and priorities?
interview with John Frey, New York Lottery’s Set For Life Jackpot Winner
Conducted by Archyde News Editor
Archyde: Good afternoon, John, and congratulations on your unbelievable win! Can you tell us how it felt to discover you’d won the Set for life jackpot?
John Frey: Thank you! It’s still surreal. I remember scratching off the ticket at home, and when I saw the “LIFE” symbol, I couldn’t beleive it. I double-checked the numbers, triple-checked, and then called my wife over. We were both in shock.It’s one thing to dream about winning, but to actually see it happen is indescribable.
Archyde: What was your first thought after realizing you’d won?
John Frey: Honestly, my first thought was, “Is this real?” I’ve been playing the lottery for years, mostly for fun, and never expected to win something like this. Once it sank in, I started thinking about my family and how this could change our lives.
Archyde: You opted for the lump sum payout of $2.1 million after taxes instead of the $5,000 weekly payments. What influenced that decision?
John Frey: It was a tough choice, but I wanted the flexibility to invest and plan for the future. The lump sum gives me the chance to pay off debts, secure my kids’ education, and maybe even start a small business. It felt like the right decision for my family’s long-term goals.
Archyde: The set For Life game is known for its unique mechanics, like the coin and star symbols. Did you have any strategy when playing, or was it purely luck?
John Frey: It was all luck! I’ve always been a casual player, so I didn’t have any special strategy. I just enjoyed the thrill of scratching off the ticket and seeing what came up.The coin and star symbols definitely added to the excitement, tho. When I saw the “LIFE” symbol, I knew I’d hit the jackpot.
Archyde: What advice would you give to someone who dreams of winning a life-changing prize like this?
John Frey: I’d say, play responsibly and don’t rely on it as a financial plan. I never expected to win, but I always made sure I was spending within my means. And if you do win, take your time to make decisions. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, so having a clear plan is crucial.
Archyde: Now that you’ve won, what’s next for you and your family?
john frey: We’re taking things one step at a time. We’ve already paid off our mortgage and set aside money for our kids’ college funds. I’m also looking into some charitable opportunities—giving back to the community is critically important to us. Beyond that, we’re just enjoying this new chapter and feeling incredibly grateful.
Archyde: john, thank you for sharing your story with us. It’s been a pleasure hearing about your journey, and we wish you and your family all the best in this exciting new phase of life.
John Frey: Thank you! It’s been a whirlwind, but we’re so thankful for this opportunity.
End of Interview
this interview highlights john Frey’s life-changing win and offers insights into his decision-making process and future plans. It’s a story of luck, gratitude, and careful planning—a true inspiration for anyone dreaming of hitting the jackpot.
