At a Hungry Ghost Festival prayer event held at a Jurong West coffee shop, the lucky number “9497” was drawn. On the same day, its permutation “7994” struck second prize in 4D, with some people walking away a few hundred dollars richer.
The prayer was held at Block 907 Jurong West Street 91 on August 30, the eighth day of the seventh lunar month. With the altar master’s approval, a devotee drew the number “9497.”
That evening, “7994,” which is a permutation of the number, appeared as the second prize in the 4D draw. Many who placed their bets won.
When reporters visited on September 1, they spotted the incense burner at the altar, with a red slip of paper showing “9497.”
A stall assistant from the zichar stall shared that the prayers began in the afternoon. “I didn’t place a bet myself, so I’m not sure who else won,” she said.
Another drinks stall worker revealed that more than 10 people were present at the ritual. After getting the number, she placed a $3 iBet bet and won a few hundred dollars. “The winnings weren’t a lot, but it was still a nice surprise,” she said.
Insiders believe that after the number was made known, at least 40 to 50 people went on to place iBet bets and also struck a prize.
Number hasn’t appeared in 20 years
Interestingly, “7994” had not come out as a major prize in more than 20 years.
According to Singapore Pools records, “7994” was drawn 19 times in the past as starter or consolation prizes, and once as a second prize. The last time it hit second prize was way back on December 5, 2004.
Just a week earlier, on the night of August 22, about 100 devotees who attended a Hungry Ghost Festival event in Sembawang collectively won more than $1 million after a “true number” revealed during the celebration turned out to be the 4D first prize.
