Iowa Lottery

Mason City Woman's Favorite Game Becomes Lucky Game

Ami Oden Wins Top Prize of $12,000 Playing the "Double Cherry Twist" Scratch Game

  Hear Ami tell her story.

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DES MOINES, Iowa - A Mason City woman was so excited to win the top prize of $12,000 playing her favorite scratch game, she didn't know what to say.

Ami Oden, 42, said she'll definitely continue to play the "Double Cherry Twist" instant-scratch game, especially after winning the top prize.

"I couldn't believe it. I was like, 'Okay. This isn't happening to me!'" Oden said.

Oden was in the convenience store parking lot with a friend when she scratched the ticket. She said even after checking it several times, she still couldn't believe she'd won.

"It hasn't hit me yet," she said.

Oden, who is a food server at Perkins, said she plans to use some of her winnings to pay back loans.

Oden claimed her prize Friday at the Iowa Lottery's regional office in Mason City. She purchased her winning ticket at Kum & Go, 2325 Hwy 18 E. in Clear Lake.