Tommy Smith of High Point and Steven Smith of Kernersville have known each other for as long as they can remember. They grew up together, they fish together, and now they won a $296,513 Cash 5 jackpot together.

“We had a pact,” Tommy said. “If either of us won a top lottery prize, we’d split it.”

The friends’ good fortune started when Tommy stopped at Smitty’s 1 Stop on West Lexington Avenue in High Point and bought a Cash 5 ticket for Thursday’s drawing. The plumber found out he won the next evening.

“When I saw I had all five numbers, I was like, ‘Holy Cow!’” Tommy said. “The first thing I did was call Steven to tell him. In fact, I called him before I called my wife. I took a little heat for that, but oh well.”

“I couldn’t believe it,” said Steven, an exterminator. “I couldn’t finish my dinner I was so excited. That was a good day.”

The friends claimed the jackpot Monday morning at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. After required state and federal tax withholdings, they split $209,783.

“Oh Big Daddy! I can’t believe it!” Tommy said, giving Steven a high five, when he got the check. “I’ve been smiling so much my face is starting to hurt.”

They both plan to save the money for retirement.

“This is life-changing,” Tommy said. “I’m so glad that I get to change his life as well. We’ve been waiting for this day for a long time, and it’s finally here.”

The Quick Pick ticket beat odds of one in 962,598 to win the jackpot. Cash 5 is a statewide draw game that gives players the chance to win a jackpot every single night. Tickets cost $1 and players can buy tickets at most lottery retailers or through Online Play on the lottery’s website.

Ticket sales from draw games like Cash 5 make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $650 million a year for education. For details on lottery funds have made a difference in all of North Carolina’s 100 counties last year, click on the “Impact” section of the lottery’s website. https://www.nclottery.com