Why You're Probably Playing Scratch-Offs Wrong

There are 45 US states that offer lotteries, plus three non-state territories. The lottery is nearly everywhere, and with it comes those shiny, metallic cards inviting you to scratch away and reveal (hopefully) winning symbols. I’ve been a certified scratcher (self-certified, that is) for quite some time, and I’ve learned a lot. I’ll share my top tips and tricks to make the most of your scratch-off experience here. 

Note: The five states that don’t have lotteries are Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah. You can’t play in any of those states. Or at least you can’t purchase or redeem scratch-offs.

The Odds Are Always Available To You

Scratch-offs, or scratchers if you’re on the West Coast, are strictly governed by the lotteries that offer them and laws in each state requiring specific information to be public. The odds of winning on any ticket must be available to you. In most cases, this means you can flip your scratch ticket over to find the odds. You might see odds listed like so:

• 1 in 3.18
• 1 in 5.6
• 1 in 4.7

This represents your mathematical chances of winning any prize on the associated ticket, including breakeven prizes. In other words, a $5 ticket that earns you a $5 prize still counts as a “win,” even though you’ve broken even. 

Pay attention to those odds as you decide which tickets to buy. You can also find them on lottery websites. 

Higher Price Doesn’t Always Mean Higher Win Likelihood

Ticket prices can cover a wide range. I play the Illinois lottery, and there are tickets from $1 all the way up to $50, with various increments in between. 

A common trap for scratch-off beginners is assuming a $20 ticket will give you a better shot at winning than a $5 ticket. The reality is more complex. Higher ticket prices often fund big jackpots, so they’re top-heavy. Sure, you might have a chance to win a larger grand prize with a $20 ticket simply because the $5 ticket’s top prize is commensurately smaller. But the odds are often identical or at least similar. 

To make a comparison from elsewhere in the world of gambling, consider high-value tickets as high volatility slots at a sweepstakes casino. You may win less frequently with bigger paydays. 

Another thing to consider is the entertainment value. If the fun part is scratching in anticipation, then a handful of low-value tickets will be more enjoyable than one or two big ones. 

Always Check For Remaining Top Prizes

Scratch-offs are printed in massive batches. That pool of tickets is then distributed across the state to thousands of locations. As the tickets sell and players win, you may find that top prizes are no longer available. The catch? The game tickets are still sold. 

This is because the lottery doesn’t know when a top prize will be awarded, and most tickets state on the back that games can continue to be sold after the top prizes have all been won. You can still win mid-tier or low prizes, but the jackpots may no longer be available. 

Fortunately, you can check the remaining prize pools for games. Check your state lottery’s website for the latest info. 

Scan For Wins, If Available

The Illinois Lottery has a ticket scanning function. Many other states offer the same function. It’s a real lifesaver. There have been multiple times I’ve scratched all there is to scratch and missed a crucial spot, only to scan my ticket’s barcode to see that I actually won something. 

Don’t leave such mistakes up to chance. Before you throw away your losing tickets, scan them to be sure they aren’t winners. 

Second Chance Drawings

Some lotteries offer second-chance promotions for non-winning tickets. They’re super simple and often only require an online account. For eligible games, you can scratch a separate code on the ticket and enter the code in the online drawing for ongoing prize pulls. 

How To Redeem Wins

Redeeming small wins is easy. Bigger wins have more rules. Here are some things to know.

• Retail Threshold: In most lottery-running states, the retail redemption threshold per day per person is $599. Higher prizes must be claimed through the lottery. 
• $600+ Wins: These usually require an online claim form, a mail-in request, or a visit to a lottery office. No matter your method, have your government ID available. 
• Expiration: Many games have a final date by which you must claim your prize. If that date comes and goes, any winning tickets cannot be paid. 
• Machine Redemptions: Some scratch-off dispensing machines let you scan winning tickets to keep playing with your prize. 

State-By-State Rules Apply

Outside of multistate games like the Powerball or Mega Millions, state lottery games are sequestered and must abide by the rules of their jurisdiction. Here are some things to look out for. 

Online Play Is Increasingly Available

Check your state lottery for online games. Many now offer digital versions of their games and/or online-only titles. A lot of them recreate the fun of a scratch-off, replacing the actual scratching with fun animations or interesting mechanics that only work on a mobile device or desktop. 

Conclusion: My Motto? The Fun Is In The Scratch

I’ve seen folks at the store who buy a handful of scratch-offs and immediately reveal the barcode at the bottom to see if they’ve won. I get the desire to check for that instant win, but I prefer to use the motto “The fun is in the scratch!” I buy scratch-offs for the enjoyment and anticipation I get out of doing the physical scratching. It makes scratch-offs more of a hobby than a quick-hit chance at some money. No matter your “strategy,” remember to have fun, and happy scratching.