Best California Scratch-Off Tickets to Buy Right Now

The least-bad California scratch-off at every price, ranked by real after-tax value. Updated October 1, 2026.

Almost every scratch-off loses money on average — these lose the least after the lump-sum cut and federal + California taxes, and still have a top prize left to win. Hard-to-find tickets are flagged so you don't waste a trip.

Best $1 scratch-off in California

Straight 8's

Straight 8's returns about $0.53 per $1 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 22 of 90 $888 top prizes left — the best of 6 $1 games in California.

Best $2 scratch-off in California

$pring Green

👻 Hard to find — sales have slowed, but it's still out there

$pring Green returns about $1.15 per $2 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 7 of 15 $20K top prizes left — the best of 13 $2 games in California.

Best $3 scratch-off in California

Tripling Bonus Crossword

Tripling Bonus Crossword returns about $1.75 per $3 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 7 of 20 $20K top prizes left — the best of 9 $3 games in California.

Best $5 scratch-off in California

Cash Crush

Cash Crush returns about $3.31 per $5 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 6 of 14 $250K top prizes left — the best of 19 $5 games in California.

Best $10 scratch-off in California

$50 or $100

$50 or $100 returns about $7.30 per $10 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 159467 of 276255 $100 top prizes left — the best of 18 $10 games in California.

Best $20 scratch-off in California

$100 or $200

$100 or $200 returns about $15.21 per $20 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 62438 of 424075 $200 top prizes left — the best of 17 $20 games in California.

Best $25 scratch-off in California

Celebrate 2026

👻 Hard to find — sales have slowed, but it's still out there

Celebrate 2026 returns about $14.15 per $25 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 5 of 15 $250K top prizes left — the best of 1 $25 games in California.

Best $30 scratch-off in California

200X

200X returns about $20.50 per $30 ticket on average after the lump-sum cut and taxes, with 10 of 10 $750K top prizes left — the best of 5 $30 games in California.

Best & worst California scratch-offs, with full odds →

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