You’re standing in a QuikTrip line in St. Louis or maybe a Casey’s out in Columbia. The person in front of you is staring at the neon screen. They're looking for the mo show me cash numbers from last night. It’s a daily ritual for thousands of Missourians. Why? Because while Powerball and Mega Millions offer those "buy a private island" jackpots, Show Me Cash is actually winnable.
Honestly, the math doesn't lie. Your chances of hitting the jackpot here are 1 in 575,757. Compare that to the 1 in 292 million you face with Powerball. It’s not even a contest. Show Me Cash is the "neighborhood" game. It's for people who’d be perfectly happy with an extra $100,000 to pay off the mortgage and maybe buy a nice truck.
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What the mo show me cash numbers Look Like Right Now
If you missed the drawing, you’re probably itching for the results. On January 14, 2026, the winning numbers were 1, 9, 13, 26, and 29. The jackpot was sitting at a cool $65,000. Just a day before that, on January 13, the numbers were 2, 4, 17, 24, and 39 with a $60,000 prize.
The jackpot resets to $50,000 every time someone wins. If nobody hits all five numbers, it rolls over. It grows by at least $5,000 every single day. We’ve seen it climb significantly higher—sometimes past the $500,000 mark—when the "luck" runs dry for a few weeks.
Recent Winning Streaks
- Jan 14, 2026: 1, 9, 13, 26, 29 ($65,000)
- Jan 13, 2026: 2, 4, 17, 24, 39 ($60,000)
- Jan 12, 2026: 27, 28, 31, 32, 35 ($55,000)
- Jan 10, 2026: 8, 18, 25, 28, 30 ($151,000)
Notice that January 10 jump? That was a nice six-figure payday for someone. When you check your ticket, you aren't just looking for the big one, though. You win a buck just for matching two numbers. That basically gets you a free play for the next night.
How the Game Actually Works
It’s a 5/39 game. Simple. You pick five numbers between 1 and 39. You can use your kids' birthdays, or you can let the terminal "Quick Pick" them for you. Most people do the latter.
The drawings happen every single night at 8:59 p.m. If you’re at the gas station trying to buy a ticket at 9:00 p.m., you’re out of luck for that night. There’s a brief "draw break" where sales pause until 9:15 p.m. Just a heads up so you don't get frustrated at the counter.
The EZ Match Add-on
You’ve probably seen the "EZ Match" logo on tickets. It costs an extra dollar. Basically, it prints five random numbers on your ticket instantly with prize amounts next to them. If any of those match your Show Me Cash numbers, you win that cash right then and there. You don’t even have to wait for the 8:59 p.m. drawing. It's instant gratification. Some people love it; some think it's a waste of a buck.
Why Most People Get the Strategy Wrong
Let's be real: it’s a random drawing. Gravity and air move those balls around in the machine. But humans love patterns.
A lot of players look for "hot" and "cold" numbers. They think if 17 hasn't been drawn in a month, it's "due." Statistically? That’s not how it works. Every drawing is an independent event. The balls don't have a memory. They don't know they haven't been picked lately.
However, there is one piece of advice that actually makes sense: Spread your numbers out. If you pick 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, you aren't less likely to win than any other combination. But you are more likely to have to share that jackpot with fifty other people who also thought picking 1-2-3-4-5 was funny. When you share a $100,000 jackpot with ten people, you’re only taking home $10k before taxes. That hurts.
The Tax Reality (The Part Nobody Likes)
If you do hit those mo show me cash numbers, the state of Missouri and the IRS are going to want their cut.
For any prize $600 or more, the Missouri Lottery is legally required to report it. If you win $600 or more, the state takes 4% off the top immediately. If you hit the jackpot—let's say $100,000—the IRS is going to want 24% withheld right away.
So, that $100,000 win? You’re actually looking at about $72,000 in your pocket after the initial withholdings. It’s still a lot of money, but don't go out and buy a $100,000 car the next morning. You'll still owe the rest of your income tax at the end of the year depending on your tax bracket.
Where to Check Your Tickets
You don't have to hover over the TV or wait for the morning news. The Missouri Lottery app is actually pretty decent. You can just scan the barcode on your ticket with your phone camera. It’ll make a specific little "winning" sound if you’ve got cash coming.
If you prefer the old-school way, every lottery retailer has a "Check-A-Ticket" machine.
Claiming Your Loot
- Up to $600: Just go back to the gas station or grocery store. They can usually pay you out in cash right there.
- $600 to $35,000: You can claim these at any Missouri Lottery office (St. Louis, Kansas City, Jefferson City, or Springfield). You can also mail it in, but honestly, who wants to put a $30,000 ticket in a mailbox?
- Over $35,000: You're heading to a lottery office in person. Bring your ID and your Social Security card. They’ll verify everything and cut you a check.
Actionable Steps for Players
If you're going to play, play smart. First, set a budget. It’s $1. It’s supposed to be fun. If you find yourself spending the grocery money on Show Me Cash, it's time to take a break.
Second, sign the back of your ticket immediately. I can't stress this enough. In Missouri, a lottery ticket is a "bearer instrument." That means whoever holds the ticket owns the prize. If you drop a winning ticket in the parking lot and you haven't signed it, whoever finds it can claim your money.
Finally, check the expiration. You have 180 days from the drawing date to claim your prize. Every year, millions of dollars in Missouri Lottery prizes go unclaimed. Don't let your $250 win sit in a visor or a junk drawer until it's worthless.
Check your numbers, sign your ticket, and maybe keep an eye on those rollovers. When the jackpot hits $200k+, the value proposition of that $1 ticket gets a whole lot more interesting.