Best Scratch-Off Tickets to Buy in March 2026: Ranked by Odds and ValueScore
Every month we pull fresh data from official state lottery sources to flag the tickets actually worth your attention right now. Not games that looked good six months ago. Not generic advice. Just what's showing up at the top of the rankings today, filtered for games that still have top prizes available.
We're looking at two things: best overall odds (your chance of winning any prize) and best ValueScore (our 0–100 rating that factors in expected value, prize quality, win frequency, and remaining inventory). The best tickets tend to score well on both.
Data is pulled from ScratchCheck's best odds rankings and ValueScore rankings as of March 11, 2026.
Here Are The Best Overall Odds Right Now
These are the games where you have the best statistical chance of winning any prize. Sorted by overall odds, active games only, with top prizes still available.
SET FOR LIFE · Arizona, $50 | 1 in 2.18 odds | 83.4% payout
The best overall odds of any purchasable game in the country right now. At $50 it's a commitment, but 1 in 2.18 means you're winning something on nearly every other ticket, and the 83.4% payout rate is among the highest we track. Top prize is $500,000 annuity. Three top prizes still remain. View on ScratchCheck
Ruby Red Crossword · Iowa, $30 | 1 in 2.29 odds | 75.3% payout
Iowa continues to punch above its weight in the national rankings. Ruby Red Crossword sits at #2 nationally by overall odds and has four top prizes still unclaimed. Crossword-style games tend to keep players engaged longer than simple match games, which makes this one a solid pick if you enjoy the format. View on ScratchCheck
Million Dollar Crossword · Arizona, $30 | 1 in 2.30 odds | 78.2% payout
Arizona is showing up at the top of these rankings again. Million Dollar Crossword at $30 gives you 1 in 2.30 odds with a 78.2% payout rate and four top prizes remaining. The older version of the same game also ranks nearby with an 82% payout. If you can find either version, both are worth considering. View on ScratchCheck
Jumbo Jumbo Bucks · Georgia, $10 | 1 in 2.47 odds | 66.2% payout
The best odds on a $10 ticket in the country right now. Most games with 1 in 2.47 overall odds cost $25–$50. Georgia's lottery runs this at $10, which makes it the standout budget pick this month. Eight top prizes still remaining, which is solid prize depth for a game at this price point. View on ScratchCheck
Royal Jackpot · California, $40 | 1 in 2.43 odds | 80.8% payout
California's flagship premium game right now. 1 in 2.43 odds combined with an 80.8% payout rate is a strong combination, and four top prizes worth up to $15,000,000 are still available. This one has a ValueScore of 96.4 as well, making it one of the few games that ranks near the top on both lists simultaneously. View on ScratchCheck
Best ValueScore Right Now
ValueScore goes deeper than overall odds. It factors in expected value, how many top prizes remain relative to how many were printed, prize quality across all tiers, and data completeness. A game can have great odds but a weak ValueScore if the prize distribution is heavily loaded at the bottom. These are the games where the full picture looks best.
$5 Million Jackpot · Oklahoma, $100 | ValueScore: 99.7 | odds: 1 in 2.37
The highest ValueScore of any game in the country right now. $100 is a serious buy, but the combination of 1 in 2.37 overall odds, an 81% payout rate, and two top $5,000,000 prizes still available puts this at the top of the list. Oklahoma doesn't get talked about much in the lottery world, but their premium games have been consistently excellent. View on ScratchCheck
Jersey Riches · New Jersey, $30 | ValueScore: 99.1 | odds: 1 in 3.48
New Jersey surprises here. Jersey Riches launched in late February 2026, which means it's a fresh game with most of its prize pool intact. Three top $3,000,000 prizes remain. The overall odds at 1 in 3.48 are not exceptional, but the ValueScore of 99.1 reflects strong expected value and prize quality across the full prize table. Worth a look if you're in New Jersey. View on ScratchCheck
$8,000,000 Payout · Michigan, $50 | ValueScore: 98.9 | odds: 1 in 3.17
Three top $8,000,000 prizes still available. Michigan's $8,000,000 Payout has a 98.9 ValueScore driven by strong expected value and what ScratchCheck's data shows as one of the better prize quality distributions in the current field. At $50 this is a premium ticket, but the remaining prize depth makes the math look good. View on ScratchCheck
$2,000,000 STACKED · Massachusetts, $20 | ValueScore: 97.3 | odds: 1 in 2.94
The best value at the $20 price point right now. Launched in February 2026, so the game is fresh. 13 top prizes still remaining, which is exceptional prize depth. Most games this high in the rankings have two or three left. 1 in 2.94 odds at $20 with a 97.3 ValueScore makes this the clearest recommendation for players who don't want to spend $50+ per play. View on ScratchCheck
500X The Cash · North Carolina, $50 | ValueScore: 96.7 | odds: 1 in 3.33
Launched at the end of January 2026, this is a newer game with five top $10,000,000 prizes still available. ValueScore of 96.7 with a strong expected value component. North Carolina doesn't make many national top-10 lists, but this game is worth flagging for players in the state or nearby. View on ScratchCheck
Best Budget Pick This Month
If you're keeping it under $10, Jumbo Jumbo Bucks in Georgia ($10, 1 in 2.47) is the clear call. Already mentioned above in the odds section, but worth reiterating here because nothing else at $10 comes close nationally right now.
For under $5, Louisiana's Flamingo Bingo ($3, ValueScore 89.2) just launched in early March and has five top prizes remaining. It's a fresh game at the budget tier, which is harder to find than it sounds.
One to Avoid This Month
Connecticut's $4,000,000 Fortune ($50) has overall odds of 1 in 2.38, which sounds excellent, but has zero top prizes remaining. If you see this game on a shelf, the big prize is already gone. The odds printed on the back are technically accurate but completely misleading for anyone hoping to hit the jackpot. This is exactly the kind of thing the ScratchCheck rankings filter out automatically.
Rankings update daily. Check current odds, ValueScores, and remaining prizes for every state at ScratchCheck.com
The ScratchCheck Editorial Team is a group of data analysts and lottery researchers who track scratch-off odds, prize structures, and expected value across all 50 US states, Canadian provinces, and international markets. We analyze publicly released data from official lottery authorities to help players make more informed decisions; not to encourage play, but to ensure those who do play understand the math behind the ticket.
