A retired Virginia man played the lottery for the first time and ended up winning $555,555. Photo courtesy of the Virginia Lottery

Oct. 31 (UPI) -- A Virginia retiree who decided to buy his first-ever lottery ticket ended up earning $555,555 with his beginner's luck.

Antony Scinta told Virginia Lottery officials he had never bought a lottery ticket of any kind when he decided to buy a Power 5s scratch-off ticket from a 7-Eleven store in Alexandria.


Scinta's beginner's luck earned him the top prize of $555,555.

"I'm glad I took the chance," Scinta said. "Maybe I'll try it one more time."

Scinta said he is still deciding what to do with his winnings.