PLENTY OF WINNERS IN SUPERCASH

There was no jackpot winner in Missouri's SuperCash drawing Friday night, which was worth $100,000, but the Missouri Lottery Commission reported that four numbers were picked by 46 players, with each ticket being worth $313.

There were another 1,950 SuperCash winners Friday night that many lottery players selected three numbers to win $5 prizes.

There have been plenty of winners in the new Missouri Lottery game that was unveiled almost two weeks ago. But nobody has collected a $100,000 prize yet.

"We've had one big winner," said a spokesman with the Missouri Lottery Commission. "But the winner has not stepped forward to claim the prize."

"SuperCash has really taken off," said Judy Derks of the Mis

souri Lottery Commission's communications division. "Sales for this game have been higher during the past week than any other game in Missouri."

One winning $100,000 ticket had been sold.

"The ticket was sold during the first week the game was introduced ... in the Kansas City area," Derks said. "But we haven't heard from the winner."

"SuperCash," or "Pick 5," was introduced on the sixth anniversary Jan. 20 of implementation of the Missouri Lottery. It gives players a chance to win up to $100,000 every day Monday through Saturday by selecting five numbers.

The top prize in SuperCash will be paid to winners in one lump sum rather than over 20 years like the Lotto and Megabucks jackpots, said Derks.

Players who match four numbers receive an average of about $250, said Derks. Those who select three numbers receive $5.

Lottery officials reported several winners in the latter two categories each night. "In fact, the third day the new game was intact, we had 87 four-number winners," said Derks.

The four-number winnings fluctuate from about $175 to $300, but will average about $250. The 87 winners on Jan. 22 received $176 each, but on a night when only five four-number winners emerged, each received more than $1,000.

During the 12-day run of the new game, more than 700 four-number winners have emerged, an average of about 60 per day.

Overall, odds of winning a prize in SuperCash are one in 62, say lottery officials. That includes $5, $250 and $100,000 prizes. Odds of selecting five numbers are one in 425,334 and odds of picking four numbers are one in 2,299.

Locally, sales of SuperCash are increasing almost daily.

"Sales of the SuperCash game are really good here," said Dave Richbourg, specialty department manager at Schnucks, 19 S. Kingshighway. "People are playing the game steadily."

Richbourg said many people were purchasing the six-day tickets.

"We haven't had any four-number winners yet, but we see a lot of $5 winners," he said.

"I think sales will continue to increase as more and more people learn about the game," said Donnie Jordan, manager of Kwik Pantry, 1401 Independence. "Our sales were larger the second week than the first."

Wednesday and Saturday are the biggest lottery ticket sales days, due largely to Missouri Lotto games during those two days.

"A lot of people buy the SuperCash tickets these two days for the entire week," said a spokesman at Del Farm National Food Store, 121 S. Sprigg.

At least one four-number winner has been recorded at Del Farm, "and a lot of $5 winners," said the spokesman.

Players in the SuperCash Missouri game receive two plays for $1. To play the game, players pick five numbers from 1 to 42. Officials say it offers the best odds of any "on-line" game.

Missouri lottery sales have had slow growth this year: a projected $230 million this fiscal year, up from $216 million last year. Legislators have pressured lottery officials to sell more tickets, but they don't want aggressive lottery advertising that emphasizes gambling.