While the ritual of opening a fortune cookie is fun, most people don't think there's any value in the message besides entertainment. However for one man in Des Plaines, Illinois the numbers he found on a tiny scrap paper inside a fortune cookie helped make him 200 thousand dollars richer.

While the ritual of opening a fortune cookie is fun, most people don't think there's any value in the message besides entertainment. However for one man in Des Plaines, Illinois the numbers he found on a tiny scrap paper inside a fortune cookie helped make him 200 thousand dollars richer.

His mother also played a big role in the lottery win. Three years ago, 73-year-old Martin Fuentes had gone out to eat with his mom.

In a quote to ABC news, he explained “She knew that I liked to play the lotto and we were having takeout Chinese food, and as I'm cracking open a fortune cookie. Well you should play these lucky numbers.’ And I said OK, just for you, ma.’”

He followed through with that promise years later and played the fortune cookie numbers. As they say mom is always right and this case backed that statement, as every single number matched those from the November 19th Lucky Day Lotto drawing.

Fuentes says he’s going to use the money to make this Christmas a special one for his children and grandkids. Unfortunately his mother won’t be there to take part in the joyous festivities, as she passed away last year at the age of 90.