Checking your ticket and realizing you might've actually hit it is a rush unlike anything else. Honestly, most of us just glance at the screen, see a few matching digits, and then get confused about whether a free ticket is actually a "win." If you're looking for the cash five winning numbers indiana results for Saturday, January 17, 2026, the numbers were 4, 10, 14, 37, and 42.
The jackpot was sitting at an estimated $259,000. Not bad for a buck, right?
But here is the thing about Cash 5 that most casual players miss: it’s not just about that top prize. While everyone dreams of the six-figure payday, the game is actually structured to give you a decent shot at smaller wins that keep the game moving. It draws every single night at 11:00 PM ET. If you missed the Saturday draw, don't worry. The next one is tonight, Sunday, January 18.
The Reality of the Odds and How It Works
Most people think the lottery is just "random luck," which, okay, technically it is. But the math behind it is pretty specific. In Indiana's Cash 5, you're picking 5 numbers from a field of 1 to 45.
If you match all five, you win the jackpot. The odds of that happening are 1 in 1,221,759. To put that in perspective, you're more likely to be struck by lightning in your lifetime than to hit that jackpot on a single ticket, yet people win it in Indiana all the time. Why? Because thousands of people play every day.
What do you get for matching fewer numbers?
It’s actually a bit more generous than the big national games like Powerball.
- Match 4: You win a flat $200. The odds here are 1 in 6,109.
- Match 3: You get $15. This happens about once in every 157 plays.
- Match 2: You get a Free Quick Pick ticket. 1 in 12 chance.
Basically, for every 11 or 12 tickets you buy, you should—mathematically speaking—get at least one free ticket back. It keeps the "fun" going without you having to dig back into your wallet constantly.
EZmatch: The $1 Add-on Nobody Understands
When you go to a gas station in Speedway or a Meijer in Indy, the clerk usually asks if you want "EZmatch." Most people say no because they don't want to spend an extra dollar.
That’s sorta a mistake if you like instant gratification.
EZmatch is a separate game printed right on your Cash 5 ticket. When you add it, five EZmatch numbers are printed below your main draw numbers. If any of those EZmatch numbers match your Cash 5 numbers, you win the prize shown next to it instantly. You don't even have to wait for the 11:00 PM drawing. You could walk out of the store $500 richer before the sun even goes down.
The top instant prize for EZmatch is $500, and the odds of winning something on that extra dollar are 1 in 5.1. Compared to the 1 in 1,221,759 jackpot odds, those are actually pretty great.
Where the Money Goes (It's Not Just a Black Hole)
A lot of folks get cynical about the lottery. "It's a tax on people who can't do math," they say. While the odds are definitely stacked against you, the Hoosier Lottery is actually pretty transparent about where the "lost" money goes.
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Since 1989, the lottery has contributed billions to the state. We're talking about the Build Indiana Fund, which helps lower license plate taxes (thank god, because those are expensive enough), and funding for the retirements of local police and firefighters. So, even if your cash five winning numbers indiana don't match tonight, that dollar is basically helping pay for a fire truck or a teacher's pension.
How to Actually Claim Your Winnings
Let’s say you actually hit the four-match or, heaven forbid, the full jackpot. Don't just run into the store screaming. There's a process.
- Sign the back of the ticket immediately. This is the most important step. A lottery ticket is a "bearer instrument." That means whoever holds it, owns it. If you drop it and someone else finds it and their name is on the back, it’s theirs.
- Prizes under $600: You can usually claim these at any authorized Hoosier Lottery retailer. Most gas stations will pay you out in cash right there.
- Prizes over $600: You’ll need to visit a prize payment office. There are three main ones: Indianapolis, Mishawaka, and Evansville. You'll need a photo ID and your Social Security number for tax purposes.
Keep in mind that if you win the jackpot, it’s a pari-mutuel prize. This is a fancy way of saying that if three people all have the winning numbers, you have to split the pot. If the jackpot is $200,000 and two people win, you're each getting $100,000 (before Uncle Sam takes his cut).
Common Myths About Cash 5 Numbers
I see people at the kiosks all the time studying the "hot and cold" numbers. They think if "14" hasn't been drawn in a month, it's "due."
It’s not.
The balls don't have memories. Every single night, the machine starts fresh. The chance of the number 14 coming up tonight is exactly the same as it was yesterday, regardless of whether it hit or not. That said, if playing "cold" numbers makes the game more fun for you, go for it. Just don't bet the rent money on it.
Another common thing people do is play "patterns" like 1-2-3-4-5 or all multiples of seven. While these have the same statistical chance of winning as any other combination, if they do win, you are much more likely to have to share the jackpot with dozens of other people who had the same "clever" idea. Picking random, ugly-looking sets of numbers is actually a better strategy for keeping the whole prize to yourself.
Your Next Steps for the Next Drawing
If you’re planning on playing for the Sunday, January 18 drawing, here is the smart way to do it.
Check your old tickets from the Friday and Saturday draws first. On Friday, Jan 16, the numbers were 3, 22, 31, 33, and 42. On Saturday, Jan 17, they were 4, 10, 14, 37, and 42. Notice how 42 showed up twice? That's just the weirdness of randomness.
Buy your ticket before 10:39 PM ET tonight if you want in on the action. You can play up to 28 consecutive drawings in advance if you don't want to keep running to the store. If you're feeling lucky but lazy, just ask for a "Quick Pick" and let the computer do the work. Just remember to sign the back and keep it in a safe spot—preferably not in your sun visor where the ink might fade.
Get your ticket, check the results tomorrow morning, and remember that even a "free ticket" win is still a win.