Best $1 Scratchers in California Right Now
Every active $1 California scratch‑off, ranked by real value from the prizes still remaining — not the launch odds printed on the ticket. Tap any game for its full prize breakdown.
Updated November 4, 2026.
| # | Game | Price | Return | Typical (95th) | Any‑prize odds | Profit odds | % left | Top prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Festive Wishes | $1 | 65% | 26.3% | 1 in 4 | 1 in 8 | 91.6% | $5,000 |
| 2 | Rockin' Riches | $1 | 59% | 24.9% | 1 in 4 | 1 in 8 | 25.2% | $5,000 |
| 3 | Straight 8's | $1 | 61% | 22.7% | 1 in 5 | 1 in 9 | 25.2% | $888 |
Other price points: best $2 scratchers · best $3 scratchers · best $5 scratchers · best $10 scratchers · best $20 scratchers · best $30 scratchers — or the full California ranking.
How we rank $1 scratchers
The ranking uses each game's current numbers, recomputed daily from the official California Lottery feed: the prizes still unclaimed, the real odds of winning anything today, and the share of the ticket price the remaining prize pool returns on average. "#1" means the best real value at this price point right now — it changes as prizes get claimed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best $1 scratcher in California right now?
Festive Wishes currently ranks #1 among active $1 California scratch-offs, based on the current odds and prizes still remaining — about 65% of the ticket price returned on average.
Are $1 scratchers worth it in California?
Active $1 California games currently average about 61.7% return — the state's best-returning price point right now is $20 at about 79.5%. All scratchers return less than they cost on average; higher price points usually return a larger share.
How current is this ranking?
Updated daily from the official California Lottery feed; last updated November 4, 2026. Rankings use the prizes still remaining, not the launch odds printed on the ticket.
Data from the official state lottery feed, refreshed ~daily. All scratchers are negative expected value — these rankings find the least-bad, not a winning strategy. 18+. Please play responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1‑800‑GAMBLER.