Jadwiga and Rudy Taylor are old hands at winning million-dollar jackpots.

When the Mississauga couple picked up their $20 million Lotto 6/49 prize yesterday – their half of the June 13 draw – it wasn't the first time they'd hit the big money.

The Taylors had also picked up a $1 million prize in 1999.

And having been through the winning routine once before, they didn't want to stick around long to answer reporters' questions about their winnings this time.

The Taylors won their previous prize with a quick pick – numbers drawn randomly by the lottery computer.

This time, Jadwiga Taylor said she chose her own numbers, including the birth date of her mother, who lives in Poland, as do most of the couple's family.

She also picked 40 – her age when she won the last big prize – and 48, her present age. (The other numbers were 2, 10, 19 and 36.)

Rudy is in his 80s, according to lottery officials, but wouldn't discuss his age with reporters.

"He's not saying," said Jadwiga; Rudy simply shook his head and said: "Too old."

The Taylors still haven't told their overseas relatives of their astounding good luck.

"I wanted to have this in the bank" before sharing the news, said Jadwiga, holding up her new cheque.

Jadwiga and Rudy have no children. They've been married for 20 years.

Rudy, a builder, retired about 15 years ago; Jadwiga says she "never worked."

Why keep buying lottery tickets after a big win?

"Why not?" shrugged Jadwiga – unassailable logic when she's clutching $20 million.

She bought the winning ticket at Sheridan Mall on Erin Mills Parkway near the QEW.

But she said she will "probably not" keep buying tickets now that they've won their super prize.

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The Taylors have no immediate plans for their new wealth beyond spreading some of it around their families, once they let them in on the secret.

They plan to remain in their current home.

"I just didn't believe it" when she first heard the winning numbers, Jadwiga said.

"I didn't have the ticket with me. I went downstairs to my wallet to check, and it was there."

What then?

"We just feel excited, and try to cool off."

But the Taylors quickly tired of answering questions and asked to leave.

The other half of the $40 million prize, the third-largest ever Lotto 6/49 prize, went to three couples from Burlington who shared a ticket, and collected their loot last week.

Lottery officials said more than 29 million sets of numbers were entered in the draw.

Since many players have multiple sets of numbers, they didn't know how many tickets were sold.

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