Best $20 Scratchers in California Right Now
Every active $20 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 | 2027 | $20 | 81.4% | 39.2% | 1 in 3 | 1 in 4 | 88.7% | $5,000,000 |
| 2 | Set for Life | $20 | 86.2% | 37.8% | 1 in 3 | 1 in 5 | 42.7% | $5,000,000 |
| 3 | MONOPOLY | $20 | 82.8% | 37.8% | 1 in 3 | 1 in 5 | 43.1% | $5,000,000 |
| 4 | Show Me $5,000,000! | $20 | 78.9% | 37.8% | 1 in 3 | 1 in 5 | 36.5% | $5,000,000 |
| 5 | 100X The Cash | $20 | 77.8% | 37.8% | 1 in 3 | 1 in 5 | 36.6% | $5,000,000 |
| 6 | $5,000,000 Extreme Cash | $20 | 81.1% | 36.7% | 1 in 3 | 1 in 6 | 69.5% | $5,000,000 |
| 7 | Instant Prize Crossword | $20 | 77.9% | 34.7% | 1 in 3 | 1 in 5 | 67.3% | $2,000,000 |
| 8 | 100X | $20 | 81.5% | 36.8% | 1 in 3 | 1 in 6 | 22.1% | $5,000,000 |
| 9 | Red Carpet Riches | $20 | 78.3% | 34.6% | 1 in 3 | 1 in 5 | 41.7% | $2,000,000 |
| 10 | Cash King | $20 | 75.8% | 36.8% | 1 in 3 | 1 in 6 | 40.6% | $5,000,000 |
| 11 | $100 or $200 Frenzy | $20 | 76.4% | 38.4% | 1 in 8 | 1 in 8 | 46.2% | $200 |
| 12 | $100 or $200 | $20 | 76.5% | 38.4% | 1 in 8 | 1 in 8 | 14.3% | $200 |
| 13 | Golden State Riches | $20 | 79.3% | 34.9% | 1 in 3 | 1 in 9 | 79.0% | $5,000,000 |
Other price points: best $1 scratchers · best $2 scratchers · best $3 scratchers · best $5 scratchers · best $10 scratchers · best $30 scratchers — or the full California ranking.
How we rank $20 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 $20 scratcher in California right now?
2027 currently ranks #1 among active $20 California scratch-offs, based on the current odds and prizes still remaining — about 81.4% of the ticket price returned on average.
Are $20 scratchers worth it in California?
Active $20 California games currently average about 79.5% return — the best-returning price point in the state right now. 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.