DENVER, NC—A change in strategy led Melinda Boyce of Denver to win a $120,000 jackpot in the North Carolina Cash 5 lottery. Previously relying on Quick Picks, Boyce switched to using family birthdays as her lucky numbers in January, a decision inspired by another winner’s success with similar tactics.
Boyce discovered her win through an email notification. Overwhelmed with excitement, she shared that she couldn’t believe her numbers had finally appeared. She purchased her winning ticket online for the drawing held on Tuesday, contributing to the 1 in 962,598 odds of matching all five numbers.
The prize was claimed at the lottery headquarters in Raleigh on Wednesday. After taxes, Boyce took home $85,800. Describing the experience as “insane,” she received her sizable check with plans to pay some bills and save the remainder of her winnings.
Cash 5 offers players the flexibility to buy tickets either at retail locations or online through the North Carolina lottery’s website or its official mobile app. The jackpot for Thursday stands at $100,000, continuing the opportunities for big wins.