Not All Scratchers Are Created Equal
ScratchJack analyzes every scratch ticket in 17 states to find the ones with the best odds of winning. We crunch the numbers so you don't have to guess which tickets give you the best chance at a win.
Here's something most scratch players don't realize: as tickets get sold and jackpots remain unclaimed, your odds of hitting big actually go up. Think about it — if a game started with 10 jackpots and 8 have already been won, only 2 are left. But if those jackpots haven't been claimed yet while half the tickets have already sold? Now you're looking at the same prizes spread across fewer remaining tickets. That's where ScratchJack comes in — we track what's left to help you find games where the math is working in your favor.
Expected Value (EV) is the simple answer to: "If I buy this ticket, how much should I expect to get back?"
The higher the EV percentage, the better your odds.
Every state lottery publishes data about their scratch tickets:
We check this data daily and do the math to calculate which tickets give you the best value for your money.
Select your state from the dropdown to see tickets available near you.
This shows tickets with the highest Expected Value first — these are your best bets.
Only want to spend $5? Use the price filter to see just those tickets.
How much you get back per dollar spent
Your chances of winning ANY prize
How many big prizes are still unclaimed
If you ever see a ticket with EV above 100% — that's mathematically profitable. Buy as many as you can afford to lose.
This is still gambling. Even the "best" scratch ticket can lose money. Our numbers show long-term averages — you could win big or lose everything on any single ticket.
Play responsibly. Never gamble money you can't afford to lose. Set limits and stick to them.
Data accuracy. While we try to keep data current, lotteries can end games or run out of tickets without warning. Always verify with your local retailer.
Not all scratch ticket players are the same — and that's totally fine! Here are the main types we see:
"I just want to win something and have fun!"
You love the thrill of scratching and winning, even if it's just $5 or $10. You're not necessarily chasing the million-dollar jackpot — you want frequent wins and a good time.
For you, look for:
Your strategy: Sort by "Name" or "Price" and look for games with the best overall odds, not necessarily the highest EV. You want tickets where you'll win something most of the time, even if the prizes are smaller.
"Go big or go home!"
You're swinging for the fences. You want to maximize your shot at life-changing money, even if it means longer losing streaks between wins.
For you, look for:
Your strategy: This is exactly what ScratchJack was built for! Sort by "Best Edge," focus on the top games, and buy fewer tickets with higher EV rather than more tickets with worse odds.
"Best of both worlds!"
You want decent action but also want to be smart about it. You'll take frequent small wins but still dream of the big score.
For you: Look for games with 80%+ EV AND good overall odds (1 in 4 or better). These give you both frequent wins and decent long-term value.
Whether you're scratching for fun, chasing jackpots, or somewhere in between — pick them by math, not by luck. ScratchJack gives you the data to play YOUR way, but smarter.
Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor! 🍀
Questions? Email us at [email protected]