A lucky woman from Lincoln County turned her family birthdays into a winning formula, scoring a $120,000 Cash 5 jackpot with the North Carolina Education Lottery.
How Birthday Numbers Paid Off
Melinda Boyce of Denver had always played Quick Picks, but in January she switched to using family birthday numbers after hearing about another player’s success. That change in strategy made all the difference.
“I used to do Quick Picks but I’ve been using family birthday numbers since January after seeing that someone else won doing that,” Boyce said. She purchased her lucky $1 ticket via Online Play for the May 22 drawing.
Winning the Odds in Cash 5
Matching all five white balls in Cash 5 is no easy feat, with odds of 1 in 962,598. Boyce found out about her win through an email notification.
“I started to freak out,” she laughed. “I kept saying, ‘My numbers came up, my numbers came up.’”
Claiming the $120,000 Cash 5 Jackpot
Boyce claimed her winnings at lottery headquarters in Raleigh, taking home $85,800 after federal and state tax withholdings. She described the experience as “just amazing” when she received her big check.
The winner plans to use the money to pay off some bills and put the rest into savings. She noted that while she’s always enjoyed playing the lottery, this experience has been life-changing and has given her even more appreciation for strategic play.
Cash 5 in North Carolina
Cash 5 is one of six lottery games offered in North Carolina, available both at retail locations and online through the NC Lottery website or mobile app. It offers daily draws, and jackpots grow until they are won. Players can choose Quick Pick for random numbers or select their own based on personal dates, patterns, or other strategies.
For Boyce, the decision to switch from Quick Picks to meaningful numbers proved that sometimes a personal touch can bring incredible results. Whether it’s birthdays, anniversaries, or
Your Chance to Win
Thursday’s jackpot is set at $100,000, maybe it’s your turn next. If you’ve been thinking about playing, now might be the perfect time to try a strategy that means something to you. For more inspiring lottery stories, visit our Best-Rated Gambling Sites page and see where luck could take you next.
Last updated: September 5, 2025 | Expert Reviewed by Felipe Morgante, Gaming Industry Analyst
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