$250,000 Crossword

Game #1965 • NJ

$250,000 Crossword - New Jersey Lottery Scratch-Off Ticket

Image source: New Jersey Lottery

Key Statistics

Ticket Price
$10
Top Prize
$250,000
Top Prizes Left
3
Overall Odds
1 in 3.94
Expected ROI
-39.2%
Expected Value
$6.08
Weeks in Market
14

Top Prize Status

Original Top Prize
$250,000
Current Top Prize
$250,000
Top Prizes Remaining
3

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

Prize Pool Analysis

Total Payout at Launch
$22,961,835
Current Prize Pool
$11,890,790
Payout Percentage
51.8%
Total Prizes at Launch
941,424
Total Prizes Remaining
496,766

Ticket Statistics

Total Tickets Printed
3,709,210
Estimated Tickets Remaining
1,957,257
% Tickets Remaining
52.8%

Should You Play $250,000 Crossword Right Now?

$250,000 Crossword is a $10 scratch-off that has been on the market for 14 weeks. The ROI is -39.2%, so this one is best played for entertainment rather than value. Each ticket returns an expected $6.08 in prize value. There are 3 of the original 6 top prizes still available. Top prize odds are holding steady with a -5.2% change since launch. Among the 14 active $10 games in New Jersey, $250,000 Crossword ranks #8 by expected value. If you're looking for the best value at this price point, also consider Neon Cash Party ($6.77 EV) and $50,000 Jumbo Bucks ($6.67 EV).

Alternative Strategy

Instead of buying one $250,000 Crossword ($10) ticket, consider buying 2x Cash Lines ($5). This combination delivers $6.80 in expected value compared to $6.08 for the single ticket — a 11.9% improvement. It also gives you a 25.5% chance of winning at least one prize versus 25.4% with the single ticket. Play responsibly — lottery games are for entertainment.

Analysis based on current remaining prizes and our ROI model. Updated May 27, 2026.

Prize Breakdown

Prize Amount Total Prizes Remaining Claimed % Left Original Odds Estimated Odds Change
$250,000 6 3 3 50.0% 1 in 618,202 1 in 652,419 ↓ 5%
$20,000 10 5 5 50.0% 1 in 370,921 1 in 391,451 ↓ 5%
$1,000 24 15 9 62.5% 1 in 154,550 1 in 130,484 ↑ 18%
$525 1,224 622 602 50.8% 1 in 3,030 1 in 3,147 ↓ 4%
$500 1,227 643 584 52.4% 1 in 3,023 1 in 3,044 ↓ 0.69%
$225 1,484 770 714 51.9% 1 in 2,499 1 in 2,542 ↓ 2%
$150 2,394 1,235 1,159 51.6% 1 in 1,549 1 in 1,585 ↓ 2%
$130 2,781 1,432 1,349 51.5% 1 in 1,334 1 in 1,367 ↓ 2%
$100 27,163 14,042 13,121 51.7% 1 in 137 1 in 139 ↓ 2%
$50 143,220 74,231 68,989 51.8% 1 in 26 1 in 26 ↓ 2%
$30 100,841 52,371 48,470 51.9% 1 in 37 1 in 37 ↓ 2%
$25 43,279 22,504 20,775 52.0% 1 in 86 1 in 87 ↓ 1%
$20 247,135 129,180 117,955 52.3% 1 in 15 1 in 15 ↓ 0.94%
FREE TICKET 370,636 199,713 170,923 53.9% 1 in 10 1 in 10 ↑ 2%

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

Historical Trends

This section tracks how $250,000 Crossword has performed over time. Daily prize claims, top prize depletion events, and overall prize pool changes are computed by comparing consecutive daily snapshots of remaining prizes at each tier.

Additional Information

Last Updated: May 27, 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 New Jersey lottery website before making any purchasing decisions. We are not responsible for any losses or damages resulting from reliance on this information.