California Crossword

Game #1676 • CA

California Crossword - California Lottery Scratch-Off Ticket

Image source: California Lottery

Key Statistics

Ticket Price
$3
Top Prize
$40,000
Top Prizes Left
3
Overall Odds
1 in 3.57
Expected ROI
-45.6%
Expected Value
$1.63

Top Prize Status

Original Top Prize
$40,000
Current Top Prize
$40,000
Top Prizes Remaining
3

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

Prize Pool Analysis

Total Payout at Launch
$28,039,940
Current Prize Pool
$4,617,396
Payout Percentage
16.5%
Total Prizes at Launch
4,495,040
Total Prizes Remaining
791,798

Ticket Statistics

Total Tickets Printed
16,047,292
Estimated Tickets Remaining
2,826,718
% Tickets Remaining
17.6%

Should You Play California Crossword Right Now?

California Crossword is a $3 scratch-off. The ROI is -45.6%, so this one is best played for entertainment rather than value. Each ticket returns an expected $1.63 in prize value. There are 3 of the original 13 top prizes still available. Top prize odds are holding steady with a 31.0% change since launch. Among the 7 active $3 games in California, California Crossword ranks #4 by expected value. If you're looking for the best value at this price point, also consider Tripling Bonus Crossword ($1.77 EV) and Fireball Bingo ($1.70 EV).

Alternative Strategy

Instead of buying one California Crossword ($3) ticket, consider buying 1x Set for Life ($2) + 1x Four Leaf Frenzy ($1). This combination delivers $1.90 in expected value compared to $1.63 for the single ticket — a 16.6% improvement. It also gives you a 39.5% chance of winning at least one prize versus 28.0% with the single ticket.

Analysis based on current remaining prizes and our ROI model. Updated April 9, 2026.

Prize Breakdown

Prize Amount Total Prizes Remaining Claimed % Left Original Odds Estimated Odds Change
$40,000 13 3 10 23.1% 1 in 1,234,407 1 in 942,239 ↑ 31%
$400 3,336 457 2,879 13.7% 1 in 4,810 1 in 6,185 ↓ 22%
$100 3,978 578 3,400 14.5% 1 in 4,034 1 in 4,891 ↓ 18%
$40 155,321 23,933 131,388 15.4% 1 in 103 1 in 118 ↓ 13%
$20 160,450 25,514 134,936 15.9% 1 in 100 1 in 111 ↓ 10%
$10 320,658 57,880 262,778 18.1% 1 in 50 1 in 49 ↑ 2%
$6 802,492 129,714 672,778 16.2% 1 in 20 1 in 22 ↓ 8%
$4 2,086,092 358,028 1,728,064 17.2% 1 in 8 1 in 8 ↓ 3%
Ticket 962,700 195,691 767,009 20.3% 1 in 17 1 in 14 ↑ 15%

* 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 9, 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.