Scratch cards are a fun and easy way to try your luck at winning some cash prizes. They are games of pure chance, but there are some tips and strategies that may help improve your odds. While no strategy can guarantee a win, being smart about which cards you play and how you scratch can boost your chances of scratching up a prize.
Picking the Right Scratch Card Game
With so many different scratch card games available from the National Lottery and other providers, it’s important to understand your odds with each type of card. Here are some things to consider when selecting scratch cards:
- Look at the overall odds printed on the card. The higher the odds, the better your chances of winning a prize.
- Play higher price point cards like £5 or £10 cards. These tend to have better odds than lower cost cards.
- Choose scratch cards that have higher top prizes, even if the odds are lower. You want the potential for a big payout.
- Pick localized or themed scratch cards that may have better odds. Avoid generic or nationwide scratch cards.
- Consider when the scratch card was released. Newly released games may have better odds to create more winners early on.
Doing a little research into the different scratch card games, odds, and past payouts can help you pick ones that give you a better shot at winning.
Buy in Bulk
While buying scratch cards in bulk doesn’t improve your odds with any single card, it does give you more chances overall to hit a winner. Buying a whole pack or roll of scratch cards together means you will be playing more cards than just buying one or two at a time. The more cards you scratch, the better your chances of getting lucky with at least one or a few of them.
Some tips for buying in bulk:
- Buy entire packs or rolls of your favorite games. This guarantees you’ll be playing sequential cards from the same batch.
- Mix up the games you buy in bulk. Don’t just buy a ton of the same card.
- Set a budget so you don’t overspend. Only use disposable income for scratch cards.
- Claim winnings along the way and reinvest some into buying more cards.
Scratch Strategically
There is no secret trick to magically reveal a winner, but using a bit of strategy in how you scratch can boost your chances:
- Scratch bonus or multiplier boxes first. This will double or triple any smaller wins you reveal.
- Mix up your scratching pattern. Don’t just scratch vertically or horizontally.
- Save the best spaces like centre squares for last. Build anticipation as you get closer to revealing.
- Use a coin to scratch instead of your fingernail. This helps avoid missing any winning sections.
- Take your time scratching! Rushing increases the chance you’ll miss something.
Claim Your Winnings
One of the easiest ways to increase your winnings is simply to claim the prizes you do scratch off. It’s estimated over £50 million in National Lottery scratch card prizes go unclaimed each year. Don’t let a winning ticket languish in your wallet or get tossed in the trash. Here are some tips to ensure you collect what you’ve won:
- Always sign the back of your scratch card as soon as you purchase it.
- Double check tickets carefully to verify you didn’t miss anything before throwing away.
- Know the expiration rules. Some scratch cards expire 90 days after end of game.
- Claim small and large wins in person at a National Lottery retailer.
- For big jackpot wins, call the lottery claims number before going anywhere.
Avoid Common Mistakes
It’s easy for simple mistakes to cost you a big payday. Avoid these common errors that could cause you to miss out on winnings:
- Don’t buy stolen or fraudulent cards. Only purchase from authorized retailers.
- Read the rules carefully. Make sure you know how to play properly.
- Don’t fall for scam calls or emails. The lottery will never contact you demanding money.
- Avoid playing when distracted. Check tickets thoroughly before leaving the store.
- Don’t just scratch off the play area. Also scratch off the validation code.
Play Responsibly
Scratch cards should be fun entertainment. Make sure to set a gambling budget and stick to it. Never chase losses or borrow money to play. Remember these wise tips when playing:
- Only gamble with discretionary income, not bill or rent money.
- Set a monetary limit before purchasing cards, and stop when you reach it.
- Take frequent breaks from playing to avoid excessive spending.
- Don’t overestimate your chances of winning or play to get rich.
- Keep scratch cards in perspective as an entertaining hobby, not a money-making strategy.
Increase Your Odds with Multiple Cards
As mentioned earlier, one of the best ways to improve your overall chances of winning on scratch cards is to buy more of them. The odds are usually stacked against you on any single scratch card. But buy 20 or 30 in a batch, and the probability of hitting at least one nice winner goes up. Just be wise about your gambling budget and don’t get carried away buying card after card.
Buy Full Packs
Rather than just buying scratch cards randomly, try to buy full packs of the same game whenever possible. Scratch cards within each pack or batch are typically sequential. Meaning you have a mix of both high and low number cards. If the top prizes remaining are on higher number cards, buying a full pack gives you a shot at those elusive grand prizes other players haven’t hit yet in that sequence.
Mix Up the Games
While buying in volume is wise, make sure you mix up the actual scratch card games you are playing. Don’t just buy 50 of the same £1 Monopoly scratch card. Pick an assortment of the best games available with varying price points. This strategy gives you a chance at prizes across multiple scratchers. If one game is cold, another may be hot.
Follow the Money
Pay attention to where the big prizes have been hitting. Many state lotteries release information on where top scratch prizes have been claimed regionally. Use that intel to buy more cards where the big prizes have been landing. If a certain convenience store sold a £100K scratch winner, buy your cards there as they may have a lucky batch. Follow the money trail of big wins.
Double Up
Some scratch cards let you double your winnings by playing an additional game. After scratching off the main game, if you win, you get a chance at doubling up. Always take advantage of these double up opportunities when you can. Even if you don’t hit, the chance to immediately parlay a modest win into something bigger is too good to pass up. Just be smart, and don’t double up small wins that would eat too much into your remaining budget.
Set a Smart Budget
To keep your scratch card fun affordable, it’s vital to set a strict gambling budget and stick to it. Only play with entertainment cash you can comfortably afford to lose. Avoid dipping into bill money or your savings to fund playing scratch cards. Here are some tips for budgeting:
- Determine an amount you can afford per month for scratchers. Maybe £20 or £50.
- Withdraw that cash at the start of the month and keep it separate.
- Only play scratch cards with your allotted bankroll, no exceptions.
- Stop playing when your budget is depleted for the month.
- Reinvest small wins to take more chances, but pocket big wins.
Avoid Chasing Losses
Sticking to your budget also means resisting the urge to chase losses. Don’t be tempted to take out more cash or use credit if you aren’t hitting wins early in your allotted budget. This reckless gambling is how people get in trouble. Accept bad luck and stay within your means.
Take Frequent Breaks
To avoid blowing through your gambling fund too fast, take frequent short breaks from playing. Go for a walk, grab a coffee, run an errand. This clears your head, disrupt unlucky streaks, and keeps your scratch time enjoyable.
Weigh Big Winnings Carefully
If you are fortunate to hit a big jackpot win, carefully consider what to do next. Don’t feel compelled to immediately plow all those winnings back into playing more. Pay yourself by pocketing a portion. And if on a hot streak, know when to walk away a winner.
Play New Games
Lottery scratch games have a predetermined number of grand prizes. Once those top prizes are claimed, your odds of winning big plunge on that card. Shift your play to new scratch card offerings to take advantage of temporary better odds when games first launch.
Do Your Research
When new instant games arrive, do some research to identify ones likely to offer the best odds. Look for games with higher price points, abundant grand prizes, and larger overall prize pools. The lottery wants new games to get noticed, so they may provide better odds initially.
Follow Launch Cycles
Lotteries introduce new scratch cards on regular schedules. Make it a point to buy and play new games as soon as they drop. Early birds have the best chance of snagging grand prizes before they start being claimed in volume.
Mix In Some Classics
While focusing on new games, don’t abandon old favorites entirely. Some long-running classics like Cashword or Crossword may still have decent odds if jackpots haven’t been hit for a while. Mixing in a few reliable standards can supplement your new game play.
Understand the Odds
Scratch cards clearly print the stated odds of winning prizes at each level. Take time to understand those odds so you have realistic expectations. Just because a card advertises 10 £1,000 prizes doesn’t make it likely you’ll win one. Dig into the details.
Do the Math
For example, a game may note odds of 1 in 4.50 for winning any prize. That means on average 1 out of every 4.5 tickets wins something. Now calculate your odds of snagging that £50,000 top prize. At 1 in 600,000 odds, you’d have to buy 600,000 tickets for a 50/50 shot at that jackpot. The math shows long odds.
Prize Structure Matters
Also look closely at how prizes are distributed across tiers. If most prizes are very small free ticket awards, with just a few modest wins and one single jackpot, that card relies on a long-shot top prize. Choose games that dispense more meaty mid-tier prizes.
Odds Can Change
Posted odds are based on all tickets available in a game, including those already sold. As prizes are claimed, the odds of winning remaining prizes improve. Check lottery websites for updated odds as grand prizes dwindle.
Have Realistic Expectations
Scratch cards are meant to be entertaining. But understand going in that your chances of winning, especially a jackpot, are quite slim. Avoid unrealistic expectations that will leave you disappointed. Here are some wise perspectives:
- View scratch cards as entertainment expenses, not profit generators.
- With poor odds, expect to slowly bleed money over time.
- Any winnings should be seen as a bonus, not expected.
- Don’t spend money you can’t afford to lose chasing tiny odds.
- Set a win goal per session, like doubling your buy-in.
Think Like a Winner
Keep a positive mindset. Don’t dwell on what you’ve spent or wasted. Focus on smart play maximizing your current chances. Believe you will eventually hit if you stay disciplined.
Stay in the Game
If luck is cold over a span of playing, don’t get discouraged. Odds even out over time. Stick to your budget and keep playing smart each session.
Pocket a Proportion
When you do hit a decent winner, always pocket a percentage and reinvest just part of it. Lock in some profit to stay ahead.
Check Tickets Thoroughly
It’s shocking how many scratch card players walk away from winners or toss out tickets worth thousands. Check cards carefully to avoid this costly mistake. Here are some tips:
- Scratch the entire play area thoroughly, plus the validation code.
- Double and triple check for overlooked numbers, symbols or words.
- Scan the barcode in the lottery app to confirm it’s not a winner.
- Don’t scratch cards in a rush or when distracted.
- If uncertain, let the retailer scan the card to be sure.
Confirm Small Wins
It’s easy to assume a $1 or $2 winner is really not a winner. Take the time to confirm. Those small wins add up, and misreading them as duds is costly.
Save and Organize Tickets
Always sign the back of tickets right after buying, then keep them safe until certain they are not winners. Discarded non-winners too hastily is the top reason prizes go unclaimed.
Double Protect Big Wins
If you scratch up a sizeable winner, sign the ticket, make a copy, and consider putting the actual ticket in a safety deposit box for protection until ready to redeem.
Be Wary of Scams
Unfortunately, fake scratch games and lottery scams do exist. Be vigilant to avoid being victimized by these criminal schemes:
- Only buy authentic games from authorized retailers, not individuals.
- Avoid “pre-revealed” winning cards which are always fake.
- Never pay upfront fees to collect supposed winnings.
- Shred old tickets to prevent improper redemption.
- Confirm legitimacy of any call, email or letter informing you of a big win.
Research Retailers
Take care when selecting retailers to buy from. Some dishonest shop owners have taken advantage of players by selling pre-scratched losing cards. Verify the store is authorized and reputable.
Protect Your Codes
Shield your validation codes on tickets to prevent fraudsters from checking them online and attempting to redeem. Safeguard winning and non-winning games alike.
Report Suspicious Activity
If you suspect any shady behavior from a retailer or lottery, report it immediately. This can help prevent others from falling victim to illegal schemes.
Conclusion
While winning a life-changing jackpot may seem like a fantasy, smart play gives you the best statistical chance. Use these tips to optimize your scratch card strategy. Buy packets of the best games, play new releases, scratch carefully, and claim every prize. Take advantage of lottery promos and loyalty programs too. With the rightapproach, those big wins happen more than you may realize!
