Instant Prize Crossword

Game #1634 • CA

Instant Prize Crossword - California Lottery Scratch-Off Ticket

Image source: California Lottery

Key Statistics

Ticket Price
$20
Top Prize
$2,000,000
Top Prizes Left
3
Overall Odds
1 in 3.10
Expected ROI
-33.6%
Expected Value
$13.27

Top Prize Status

Original Top Prize
$2,000,000
Current Top Prize
$2,000,000
Top Prizes Remaining
3

Top prizes are still available! There are 3 top prize ticket(s) remaining.

Prize Pool Analysis

Total Payout at Launch
$303,255,550
Current Prize Pool
$40,854,425
Payout Percentage
13.5%
Total Prizes at Launch
7,511,234
Total Prizes Remaining
992,782

Ticket Statistics

Total Tickets Printed
23,284,825
Estimated Tickets Remaining
3,077,624
% Tickets Remaining
13.2%

Should You Play Instant Prize Crossword Right Now?

Instant Prize Crossword is a $20 scratch-off. The ROI is -33.6%, so this one is best played for entertainment rather than value. Each ticket returns an expected $13.27 in prize value. There are 3 of the original 19 top prizes still available. Top prize odds are holding steady with a 19.5% change since launch. Among the 13 active $20 games in California, Instant Prize Crossword ranks #10 by expected value. If you're looking for the best value at this price point, also consider 100X ($15.92 EV) and $100 or $200 ($15.21 EV).

Alternative Strategy

Instead of buying one Instant Prize Crossword ($20) ticket, consider buying 2x $50 or $100! ($10). This combination delivers $14.58 in expected value compared to $13.27 for the single ticket — a 9.8% improvement. It also gives you a 23.1% chance of winning at least one prize versus 32.3% with the single ticket. Play responsibly — lottery games are for entertainment.

Analysis based on current remaining prizes and our ROI model. Updated April 12, 2026.

Prize Breakdown

Prize Amount Total Prizes Remaining Claimed % Left Original Odds Estimated Odds Change
$2,000,000 19 3 16 15.8% 1 in 1,225,517 1 in 1,025,875 ↑ 19%
$25,000 40 4 36 10.0% 1 in 582,121 1 in 769,406 ↓ 24%
$10,000 39 8 31 20.5% 1 in 597,047 1 in 384,703 ↑ 55%
$5,000 201 25 176 12.4% 1 in 115,845 1 in 123,105 ↓ 6%
$2,000 5,885 916 4,969 15.6% 1 in 3,957 1 in 3,360 ↑ 18%
$1,000 15,688 2,313 13,375 14.7% 1 in 1,484 1 in 1,331 ↑ 12%
$500 41,121 5,365 35,756 13.0% 1 in 566 1 in 574 ↓ 1%
$250 58,791 7,861 50,930 13.4% 1 in 396 1 in 392 ↑ 1%
$200 127,211 16,611 110,600 13.1% 1 in 183 1 in 185 ↓ 1%
$100 581,371 72,927 508,444 12.5% 1 in 40 1 in 42 ↓ 5%
$50 1,090,132 142,223 947,909 13.0% 1 in 21 1 in 22 ↓ 1%
$25 2,482,336 321,225 2,161,111 12.9% 1 in 9 1 in 10 ↓ 2%
Ticket 3,108,400 423,301 2,685,099 13.6% 1 in 7 1 in 7 ↑ 3%

* Original odds based on total tickets printed. Estimated odds calculated from remaining tickets and prizes. Positive change (↑) means better odds now than at launch.

Additional Information

Last Updated: April 12, 2026

Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and represents our best effort to accurately reflect the current state of lottery games based on publicly available data. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of this information. Prize availability, odds, and game details may change without notice. Always verify information with the official California lottery website before making any purchasing decisions. We are not responsible for any losses or damages resulting from reliance on this information.