Scratch-Off Guides
The arithmetic behind the rankings, written out. Every claim here is one you can check against the official state numbers we publish on each game's page — nothing is paywalled and nothing is a system.
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Claiming a Scratch-Off Prize, and the Tax That Comes With It
Where to claim by prize size, what deadlines apply, what gets withheld, and what you still owe afterwards. General information, not tax advice.
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How Scratch-Off Odds Change After a Game Goes on Sale
The odds printed on a scratch-off ticket are fixed for the life of the game. The odds you actually face are not. This explains the difference and how to measure it.
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How to Read a Scratch-Off Remaining-Prize Table
Every state publishes a table of prizes still unclaimed for each game. It is the most useful public document in the lottery, and it is not hard to read once you know what the columns mean.
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Making a Scratch-Off Budget Last
If you are going to spend $20 on scratch-offs, the arithmetic of how you spend it is not neutral. Here is what the numbers say about price tiers, splitting, and chasing.
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New Game or Old Game: Which Scratch-Off Is the Better Buy?
New games have every prize intact and no information. Old games have fewer prizes and a full history. Neither is automatically better, and the reason is worth understanding.
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Why Payout Percentage Beats Overall Odds
Overall odds tell you how often you win something. Payout percentage tells you how much comes back. They frequently disagree, and one of them is the better guide.
Then look at today's numbers
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