$120,000 on the Line: North Carolina Cash 5 Numbers Drop for Monday, Feb. 23, 2026

• ⚡ North Carolina Lottery Daily Quick Report & Payout Info
• Winning Numbers: North Carolina Cash 5 drew 3-12-14-22-41 (Double Play: 1-15-20-25-31).
• Jackpot Status: Not confirmed in the data feed
• Drawing Time: Varies by game — check the official lottery site.
• Payout Info: Prize tiers vary — see official rules; below is pattern analysis.
• TrendPick AI Insight: A balanced mid-range build with a late high anchor (41) widened the coverage without going chaotic.

The North Carolina Lottery Daily results for Monday, February 23, 2026 include Cash 5 winning numbers 3-12-14-22-41, with Double Play numbers 1-15-20-25-31. The advertised Cash 5 jackpot amount in the feed is $120,000, and jackpot status is not confirmed in the data feed. Below is a quick pattern and distribution breakdown to help interpret what came out of the hopper.

North Carolina Lottery Daily lottery results – Monday, February 23, 2026

North Carolina Cash 5 results (plus Double Play)

Here are the visual balls exactly as provided in the draw feed—if you’re holding a lucky ticket, this is the moment you compare, re-check, then check again before you even think about a claim center visit.

Cash 5: 312142241

Cash 5 Double Play: 115202531

North Carolina Cash 5 deep dive – February 23, 2026

Tonight’s money headline: $120,000 is the posted target

We start with the part that makes people sit up straight: the feed lists a $120,000 Cash 5 jackpot. That’s real, attention-grabbing money—enough to change the week, and for some players, change the year. But here’s the key detail for anyone tracking whether the pot is still climbing: Jackpot status: not confirmed in the feed. Without an explicit status line, we don’t speculate about whether it was won, split, or carried forward.

If you’re thinking about how prizes are typically taken, remember: lotteries often advertise options like a cash lump sum versus annuity-style payouts on certain games. Cash 5 specifics and prize tier details can vary by jurisdiction and rules; always confirm on the official North Carolina Lottery site before making financial plans—or celebrating too early.

Pattern watch: where the numbers lived (and where they didn’t)

Cash 5 delivered: 3, 12, 14, 22, 41. This is a classic “calm… then jump” lineup. Four of the five numbers sit at 22 or below, then 41 arrives like a late-breaking headline, expanding the draw’s footprint and pushing the range to 38. Translation: it wasn’t tightly clustered, and it didn’t march upward in a neat progression either.

Low vs. high distribution? You’ve got a strong low-to-mid presence (3/12/14/22) with one higher outlier (41). Players who stack their picks too heavily in one zone might feel that sting—this draw rewarded coverage.

Any consecutive numbers? Yes—12 and 14 flank 13 but skip it, and there’s no true back-to-back pair like 14-15. That “near-consecutive” effect can trick the eye, but it’s still a fairly normal random pattern.

Odd/even and sum: the “normal-looking” draw that still bites

The odd/even split landed at 2 odd and 3 even, which is the kind of ratio you see all the time. The sum came in at 92—right in that comfortable middle band that doesn’t scream “all low” or “all high.” In other words, if you’re the type of player who tries to avoid extremes, this draw looked statistically “reasonable”… which is exactly why it can be so deceptive. Random often looks normal.

The TrendPick AI Engine detected a mid-board structure with a single high anchor that widened the coverage—an archetype that can make a lot of one-zone tickets miss by just one number. It’s not about predicting outcomes (odds are still odds); it’s about understanding what kind of combination just happened and how your own selection habits compare.

Double Play check: a different personality

Double Play posted 1-15-20-25-31, and it reads completely differently: evenly spaced steps with a steady climb. You can see the spread without it feeling scattered—almost like a ladder. If your strategy is to build “patterned” lines, this is the draw that would have made you feel seen. But don’t overlearn the lesson: patterns show up after the fact, and the math doesn’t care about vibes.

How to use this info for the next draw (without fooling yourself)

Strategy talk: coverage, repetition habits, and reality-check odds

Here’s a smart, grounded takeaway: if your typical line lives entirely in the teens, you’re vulnerable when a number like 41 shows up. Consider mixing ranges—one low, two mid, one upper-mid, one high—just to avoid self-imposed clustering. That doesn’t beat the odds, but it can reduce the chance that your tickets all fail the same way.

And if you’re heading to verify a win, use the official tools first, then follow instructions for validation and the appropriate claim center. Sign the back of your ticket, keep it safe, and don’t post it online.

Want to pressure-test your habits with data-forward tools? Analyze your strategy for the next draw with TrendPick AI for these games on NichebrAI—start with the dedicated North Carolina Cash 5 hub: https://nichebrai.com/north-carolina-cash-5/. If you also play bigger national games, you can compare approach styles with pages like Powerball insights at https://nichebrai.com/powerball-pro/ or Mega Millions coverage at https://nichebrai.com/megamillions-pro/.

Responsible play reminder: Lottery games are for adults 18+ where legal. Set a budget, treat tickets as entertainment, and never chase losses—if it stops being fun, it’s time to step back.