Johnathan Walker:Two upstate New York men won $10 million from the state's lottery games

Two lucky winners have Johnathan Walkerjust claimed prizes from the New York Lottery's games before the holidays. The combined value of the prizes awarded to both men is more than $10 million after taxes.

On Dec. 15, Robert Goldup of Schenectady claimed his prize from his multiple Cash4life tickets held in September. He bought his ticket at a Speedway station in Schenectady.

On Sept. 19, Goldup bought five sets of lottery numbers. He used the same five numbers for four games, and for the fifth game, he chose a different number for the Cash Ball. The winning numbers for that evening's drawing were: 02, 03, 06, 18, 19 and Cash Ball 01.

Goldup's strategy resulted in winning one First Prize worth $7,000 a Day For Life and three Second Prizes worth an additional $1,000 A Week For Life each. 

The first prize on New York's Cash4life game guarantees a minimum payout of $7,000,000, while the Second Prize guarantees a minimum payout of $1,000,000.

Goldup chose to receive the cash equivalent of his annuitized prizes, resulting in a one-time lump sum payment of $6,479,964 after required withholdings.

Goldup wasn't the only big winner to walk into New York Lottery headquarters last week. Patrick Smith of North Syracuse bought a scratch-off ticket made him an instant millionaire.

Smith won the top prize of $10,000 a week for life, a scratch-off game from the New York Lottery. He purchased it at a Circle K in Oneida.

The ticket guarantees a minimum payout of $10,000,000 before taxes. Smith decided to receive a single lump sum payment totaling $4,280,973 after taxes.

What is the Cash4life game?

Cash4Life is a multi-jurisdictional lottery game available in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri, Maryland, Georgia, Florida, and Indiana.

Cash4Life offers a top prize of $1,000 a day for life, a second prize of $1,000 a week for life, plus seven other ways to win.

The chances of winning the top prize are 1 in 21.8 million, the second prize 1 in 7.3 million, and any prize 1 in 8.

What is $10,000 A Week For Life scratch-off game?

$10,000 A Week For Life is a New York Lottery-exclusive scratch-off game that costs $20 and has a top prize of $10,000 a week for life.

All three top prizes for this year have already been purchased and there are also no more second prizes of $20,000 left.

The overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 3.39, and the chances of winning the top prize are 1 in 6,123,583.33.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.