You've probably felt that little buzz of adrenaline when the clock hits 11:15 p.m. in Florida. It's that specific moment when the evening draw happens, and suddenly, those five little numbers on your crinkled slip of paper might actually mean something. If you are hunting for the florida fantasy 5 numbers for tonight, you aren't alone. Thousands of people across the Sunshine State—from the dive bars in Key West to the humid suburbs of Jacksonville—are doing the exact same thing right now.
Honestly, Fantasy 5 is the "people’s game" for a reason. It doesn't have the impossible billion-to-one odds of Powerball. It’s accessible. It’s daily. And most importantly, it has that "rolldown" feature that keeps things interesting even when nobody hits the big one.
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The Results: Florida Fantasy 5 Numbers for Tonight
Let's get right to it. The Florida Lottery holds two drawings every single day. The Midday drawing happens at 1:05 p.m. ET, and the Evening drawing—the one most people are sweating over—takes place at 11:15 p.m. ET.
For Saturday, January 17, 2026, the Midday winning numbers were 3 and 5. Wait, just two? No, that's a common point of confusion. The midday draw for today showed a partial result early on, but the full set of five numbers typically populates shortly after the balls drop. For the full Evening draw, you're looking for five numbers between 1 and 36.
Why the 11:15 p.m. Draw is the Big One
While the midday draw is great for a lunch-break thrill, the evening draw is where the volume is. If you missed the cutoff, remember that sales for the evening draw close at 10:55 p.m. ET. If you bought your ticket at 10:56, you’re already looking at tomorrow's numbers. It's a brutal one-minute window that has cost many players a sleepless night.
Understanding the Rolldown (The Secret Sauce)
Most lotteries are "all or nothing" when it comes to the jackpot. Fantasy 5 is different. If nobody matches all five numbers to win the top prize—which usually sits around $100,000 but can fluctuate—the money doesn't just sit there. It "rolls down."
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Basically, that cash gets shoved down to the people who matched four numbers or even three numbers. Instead of a fixed prize, your 4-of-5 match might suddenly be worth a lot more than the standard payout. The 4-of-5 prize is capped at $555, but that's still a massive jump from the usual pocket change you'd get in other games.
I’ve seen nights where the 3-of-5 winners get a nice little "rolldown" bonus too. It makes the game feel less like a tax on hope and more like a community pot that actually pays out.
Odds, Luck, and the Math of 1-through-36
The math is actually pretty clean here. You’re picking 5 numbers from a pool of 36. That gives you overall odds of winning any prize at about 1 in 7.58. Compared to the Mega Millions odds, which are basically "you have a better chance of being struck by lightning while winning an Oscar," Fantasy 5 is actually winnable.
- 5-of-5 Match: 1 in 376,992 (Top Prize)
- 4-of-5 Match: 1 in 2,432
- 3-of-5 Match: 1 in 81
- 2-of-5 Match: 1 in 8.39 (Usually wins you a Free Ticket)
If you match just two numbers, you get a free Quick Pick for the next drawing. It’s the lottery’s way of saying "close, but try again." And people do. Often.
EZmatch: The "I Can't Wait" Option
A lot of regulars add the EZmatch for an extra dollar. It’s sort of a game within a game. When the clerk prints your ticket, you'll see five EZmatch numbers with prize amounts next to them. If any of those match your Fantasy 5 numbers, you win that cash on the spot. You don't even have to wait for the 11:15 p.m. drawing.
I’ve talked to folks at Publix who won $500 on EZmatch before they even walked out to their car. It doesn't affect your chances in the main draw, but it’s a nice hit of dopamine for the impatient among us.
Common Mistakes People Make
One of the biggest blunders is looking at the wrong state. Georgia also has a Fantasy 5, and their numbers are totally different because their pool goes up to 42. If you're searching for florida fantasy 5 numbers for tonight, make sure the site you're on isn't showing you the results from Atlanta. It sounds stupid, but when you're staring at your numbers and seeing "9, 22, 27" on the screen, your heart starts racing before you realize you're on the wrong page.
Another thing? Not signing the back of the ticket. Honestly, if you have a winner, that piece of paper is "bearer instrument." That means whoever holds it, owns it. Sign it immediately.
Where to Check Safely
Don't trust a random screenshot on social media. People post fake numbers for "clout" or just to be jerks. Always verify through:
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- The official Florida Lottery website.
- The Florida Lottery mobile app (you can scan your ticket directly).
- An authorized retailer's terminal.
Strategies That (Probably) Don't Work
We’ve all seen the "hot" and "cold" number charts. Some people swear that if the number 22 hasn't been drawn in two weeks, it's "due."
Math doesn't care. The plastic balls in the machine don't have memories. Each draw is a completely independent event. Whether 22 was drawn last night or hasn't been seen since 2024, its chance of appearing tonight is exactly the same as every other number. Still, humans love patterns. If playing your grandmother's birthday makes the game more fun for you, go for it. Just don't bet the rent money on it.
Your Next Steps
If you're holding a ticket right now, wait for the official confirmation after 11:15 p.m. ET. Once the numbers are posted, check the "Draw Details" to see if there was a rolldown. If nobody hit the 5-of-5, your 4-of-5 or 3-of-5 ticket might be worth significantly more than usual.
Check your ticket for the EZmatch logo if you paid the extra buck. Even if your main numbers are a bust, you might have an instant winner sitting in your pocket. If you did win a big prize—anything over $600—you’ll need to head to a district lottery office rather than just your local gas station. There are offices in Miami, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Tampa, and several other spots across the state.
Stay safe, play responsibly, and remember that it only takes one ticket to change your weekend.