Instant Prize Crossword

Game #1590 • 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
9
Overall Odds
1 in 3.10
Expected ROI
-35.8%
Expected Value
$12.83

Top Prize Status

Original Top Prize
$2,000,000
Current Top Prize
$2,000,000
Top Prizes Remaining
9

Top prizes are still available! There are 9 top prize ticket(s) remaining.

Prize Pool Analysis

Total Payout at Launch
$433,108,000
Current Prize Pool
$156,715,425
Payout Percentage
36.2%
Total Prizes at Launch
10,734,091
Total Prizes Remaining
3,939,833

Ticket Statistics

Total Tickets Printed
33,275,682
Estimated Tickets Remaining
12,213,482
% Tickets Remaining
36.7%

Should You Play Instant Prize Crossword Right Now?

Instant Prize Crossword is a $20 scratch-off. The ROI is -35.8%, so this one is best played for entertainment rather than value. Each ticket returns an expected $12.83 in prize value. There are 9 of the original 27 top prizes still available. Top prize odds are holding steady with a -9.2% change since launch. Among the 13 active $20 games in California, Instant Prize Crossword ranks #13 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 $12.83 for the single ticket — a 13.6% 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 27 9 18 33.3% 1 in 1,232,433 1 in 1,357,054 ↓ 9%
$25,000 55 21 34 38.2% 1 in 605,012 1 in 581,594 ↑ 4%
$10,000 56 22 34 39.3% 1 in 594,209 1 in 555,158 ↑ 7%
$5,000 280 101 179 36.1% 1 in 118,842 1 in 120,926 ↓ 2%
$2,000 8,426 3,165 5,261 37.6% 1 in 3,949 1 in 3,859 ↑ 2%
$1,000 22,525 8,424 14,101 37.4% 1 in 1,477 1 in 1,450 ↑ 2%
$500 59,047 21,731 37,316 36.8% 1 in 564 1 in 562 ↑ 0.27%
$250 84,272 31,244 53,028 37.1% 1 in 395 1 in 391 ↑ 1%
$200 181,913 66,660 115,253 36.6% 1 in 183 1 in 183 ↓ 0.16%
$100 829,444 299,543 529,901 36.1% 1 in 40 1 in 41 ↓ 2%
$50 1,550,454 563,739 986,715 36.4% 1 in 21 1 in 22 ↓ 0.94%
$25 3,558,192 1,302,467 2,255,725 36.6% 1 in 9 1 in 9 ↓ 0.27%
Ticket 4,439,400 1,642,707 2,796,693 37.0% 1 in 7 1 in 7 ↑ 0.81%

* 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.