Best $3 Scratchers in New Jersey Right Now
Every active $3 New Jersey 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 September 23, 2026.
| # | Game | Price | Return | Typical (95th) | Any‑prize odds | Profit odds | % left | Top prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LOTERIA | $3 | 64.7% | 28.7% | 1 in 4 | 1 in 8 | 65.6% | $30,000 |
| 2 | Crossword | $3 | 65% | 25% | 1 in 5 | 1 in 7 | 90.2% | $20,000 |
| 3 | LOTERIA | $3 | 62.7% | 27.8% | 1 in 4 | 1 in 8 | 20.1% | $30,000 |
| 4 | LOTERIA | $3 | 61% | 27.1% | 1 in 4 | 1 in 8 | 14.0% | $30,000 |
| 5 | Crossword | $3 | 51.3% | 19.3% | 1 in 5 | 1 in 10 | 9.9% | $20,000 |
| 6 | Win For Life! | $3 | 52% | 20.5% | 1 in 5 | 1 in 11 | 7.4% | $875,200 |
| 7 | Crossword | $3 | 47% | 18.2% | 1 in 5 | 1 in 11 | 7.3% | $20,000 |
Other price points: best $1 scratchers · best $2 scratchers · best $5 scratchers · best $10 scratchers · best $20 scratchers · best $30 scratchers — or the full New Jersey ranking.
How we rank $3 scratchers
The ranking uses each game's current numbers, recomputed daily from the official New Jersey 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 $3 scratcher in New Jersey right now?
LOTERIA currently ranks #1 among active $3 New Jersey scratch-offs, based on the current odds and prizes still remaining — about 64.7% of the ticket price returned on average.
Are $3 scratchers worth it in New Jersey?
Active $3 New Jersey games currently average about 57.7% return — the state's best-returning price point right now is $20 at about 74.5%. 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 New Jersey Lottery feed; last updated September 23, 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.