$100,000 on the Line: North Carolina Cash 5 Delivers a Tight, High-Number Punch (Feb. 12, 2026)

• ⚡ North Carolina Lottery Daily Quick Report & Payout Info
• Winning Numbers: Cash 5 drew 17-23-24-26-35 (Double Play: 5-10-23-27-34).
• Jackpot Status: The Cash 5 jackpot was $100,000; this report lists the winning draw, but official winner confirmation happens through the claim center.
• Drawing Time: Drawings are held nightly in the late evening (check the NCEL schedule for the exact time).
• Payout Chart: Scroll down for a quick prize tier explainer and how payouts typically work.
• TrendPick AI Insight: A high-leaning set with a “tight middle” cluster suggests balanced chaos—great for coverage, tough for prediction.

For Thursday, February 12, 2026, the North Carolina Lottery Daily results featured Cash 5 winning numbers 17-23-24-26-35, with Double Play numbers 5-10-23-27-34. The advertised Cash 5 jackpot for the draw was $100,000; whether it was hit or rolls over is confirmed by the North Carolina Education Lottery after ticket validation.

North Carolina Lottery Daily lottery results – Thursday, February 12, 2026

North Carolina Cash 5 results

Here’s what dropped in the Cash 5 hopper—five balls that could mean life-changing money for one lucky ticket holder, especially if the match was clean and the ticket is validated.

Cash 5: 1723242635

Double Play: 510232734

North Carolina Lottery Daily deep dive – Cash 5 patterns for Feb. 12, 2026

Let’s talk about what this draw “feels” like, because players don’t just chase numbers—they chase patterns, hunches, and that one moment when the odds finally blink. And yes, the odds are always long in any lotto game, which is why bankroll discipline matters and why many players prefer a cash lump sum mindset when thinking about what a big win would actually mean after taxes and options.

Cluster behavior, repeats, and that tight mid-board

The Cash 5 line (17, 23, 24, 26, 35) is a textbook example of a mid-to-high cluster with a crowded center. Three of the five balls sit inside a tight four-number window: 23-24-26. That’s the kind of grouping that makes people say, “No way that’s random!”—but clustering is a natural byproduct of randomness.

The **TrendPick AI Engine** detected a “compressed middle” signature: numbers gravitating into the 20s while still allowing one higher anchor (35) to stretch the ticket just enough to avoid an ultra-condensed profile. In plain terms, it’s a draw that looks organized even though it’s not trying to be.

Low vs. high distribution: more top-shelf than bargain bin

Only one number landed in the teens (17), while four of five sit at 23 or above. That pushes the sum up to 125—high-leaning compared to many five-ball sets. Players who build coverage often split their picks across low/mid/high bands; this draw would have rewarded a card that leaned mid-high and didn’t overcommit to single digits.

Consecutive numbers: the 23-24 spark

You got a clean consecutive pair: 23 and 24. That’s a classic attention-grabber. It’s also a reminder that “no consecutive numbers” isn’t a rule—it’s a superstition. Consecutives show up more often than many casual players expect, especially in five-number games where the combinations are vast and perception gets tricky.

Double Play: one repeat, new rhythm

The Double Play line (5, 10, 23, 27, 34) echoed the main draw with one repeat: 23. That repeat is the headline within the headline—because when a number appears in both the main and Double Play on the same night, it becomes the kind of “hot number” chatter that can dominate conversations at the gas station counter.

But note the rhythm shift: Double Play brings two low numbers (5 and 10) that the main draw didn’t. So if your strategy was to “mirror” the main draw’s mid-high lean, Double Play would have punished that approach.

North Carolina Lottery Daily payouts & prize tiers – Feb. 12, 2026

How winnings generally get paid (and why the claim center matters)

Cash 5 prizes are paid by prize tier—meaning your payout depends on how many numbers you match, not just whether you hit the jackpot. If you’re holding a ticket tonight, check it carefully, then verify it through official lottery channels. For larger prizes, you’ll typically be routed to a claim center for validation, identity verification, and payout processing.

One more reality check: jackpots are advertised as annuity-style top values in many big games, but Cash 5 is usually presented as a set jackpot for the top tier. If you ever do land a major prize in any lottery, ask about payout options and how a cash lump sum (when offered) compares to other structures. The “big number” on the billboard isn’t always the number that hits your bank account.

Next-draw strategy: use TrendPick AI without the hype

If tonight’s tight cluster in the 20s made you rethink your approach, that’s the right instinct—adapt, don’t chase. Consider building balanced coverage across bands (low/mid/high), and don’t automatically exclude consecutive numbers or clustered groups. Randomness loves to look intentional.

Analyze your strategy for the next draw with TrendPick AI for these games on NichebrAI—especially if you play Cash 5 regularly: https://nichebrai.com/north-carolina-cash-5/. And if you cross-play other states or national games, you can compare pattern reads and prize structures on tools like https://nichebrai.com/powerball-pro/ or https://nichebrai.com/megamillions-pro/ to keep your expectations aligned with the odds.

Bottom line tonight: a $100,000 Cash 5 jackpot sat on the table, and the numbers came in with a high-leaning, mid-cluster punch. Check your ticket. Then check it again.