Scratch off lottery tickets can be a fun way to try your luck, with top prizes ranging from $20 to millions of dollars. However, not all scratch offs are created equal when it comes to your chances of winning. In this article, we’ll look at which $20 scratch off games tend to have the best odds, to help you make the most informed choice when buying scratchers.
How Scratch Off Odds Work
First, it’s important to understand how scratch off lottery game odds work. Each scratch off game has an advertised overall odds of winning any prize, as well as odds for winning specific prize amounts. These odds are calculated based on the total number of tickets printed and distributed for a particular game, and the number and value of prizes available.
For example, a game might have 5 top prizes of $20,000, 50 prizes of $1,000, and overall odds printed on the ticket as “1 in 4.97”. This means that on average, 1 out of every 4.97 tickets sold for this game should have a winning prize. The more total prizes in a game and the better the overall odds, the more likely you are to win something.
Factors That Affect $20 Scratch Off Odds
When looking specifically at $20 scratch offs and trying to find the best odds, there are a few key factors to consider:
- Overall odds – Games with better overall odds tend to have better chances of winning. Look for $20 games with overall odds of 1 in 3, 1 in 4, or better.
- Number of top prizes – More top prizes means better chances at winning big.
- Number of $20 prizes – Having more prizes that match the $20 ticket price helps your chances of winning your money back.
- Prize structure – Games where the prizes are spread across many lower and mid-tier amounts tend to pay out more frequently.
- Ticket availability – Your odds improve when a game is new and has more tickets in circulation.
Top 5 $20 Scratch Off Games by Best Odds
Based on the above criteria, here are 5 of the best $20 scratch off games currently available in most states, in terms of your overall odds of winning a prize:
Game Name | Starting Jackpot | Overall Odds | Number of Top Prizes | Number of $20 Prizes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Money Mania | $250,000 | 1 in 4.50 | 4 | 20 |
Money Bags | $300,000 | 1 in 4.80 | 3 | 18 |
Xtra Cash | $200,000 | 1 in 4.00 | 5 | 25 |
Lucky 7s | $777,000 | 1 in 4.20 | 2 | 22 |
Money Roll | $250,000 | 1 in 3.95 | 4 | 24 |
As you can see, Money Roll has the best overall odds of 1 in 3.95, plus 4 top prizes and 24 $20 prize spots. Money Mania and Xtra Cash also stand out for their number of top prizes and odds of 1 in 4.5 or better. Based on the prize structures, your overall chances of winning any prize for these games is quite good.
Where to Buy Scratch Offs with the Best Odds
You can find most of these scratch off games with favorable odds at big chain convenience stores, grocery stores, gas stations, and lottery retailers in your state. Some tips for finding the best ticket availability include:
- Try stores with higher overall scratch off sales volume, as they go through ticket packs faster.
- Ask the retailer which $20 games are the newest or most recently put out for sale.
- Look for entry displays and end caps promoting new scratch off games.
- Avoid stores in remote locations where scratch offs may sit longer between sales.
You can also increase your chances of getting tickets from winning batches by buying from stores where scratch off winners are promoted. Retailers will often display recent bigger winning tickets sold in their store to advertise their luck.
When New Scratch Off Games Come Out
Timing is also key – trying to buy scratch offs when new games are released greatly improves your odds. This is because there are more top prizes initially in play and an ample supply of tickets. Most state lotteries regularly debut new scratch games, so look out for announcements of new game launches.
Other Tips for Winning Scratch Offs
Aside from choosing games with better odds, here are some other useful tips to boost your scratch off winning chances:
- Scratch carefully – take your time and double check that you didn’t miss a number or symbol.
- Enter codes carefully – avoid mistakes when entering ticket codes online to confirm prizes.
- Play consistently – regular play increases your odds versus sporadic big purchases.
- Avoid damaged tickets – only buy undamaged scratch offs from secure display cases.
- Take a break after wins – walk away instead of pumping money back into more tickets.
- Split purchases – buy some tickets from several stores instead of many from one store.
Conclusion
While there ultimately is randomness involved in winning scratch off lotteries, choosing games with better overall odds can help maximize your chances. For $20 scratch offs, keep an eye out for new games launching with at least 1 in 4 odds, several top prizes, and plenty of mid-tier amounts. Combine that with buying from busy retailers and playing consistently, and persistence may just pay off with a big jackpot win.
Just remember to always play responsibly within your entertainment budget. Scratch offs are meant to be fun, not a way to get rich quick. Following these tips simply helps enhance the excitement of playing and taking a chance on lady luck.