We all love that moment when we scratch away, hoping to uncover a winning combination. But let’s be honest: What are the actual odds of hitting the jackpot? Whether you’re an occasional scratcher or already consider the scratch-off counter your second home, understanding the odds can help you make smarter decisions.

Chances of winning with scratch cards

Each scratch card has its own secret code, usually in tiny print on the back – these are the odds of winning. Think of it this way: if a ticket says “1 in 4”, that theoretically means that out of four printed tickets, one is a winning ticket. But don’t think that every fourth ticket you buy is guaranteed to win – that’s not how the universe (or printers) work, unfortunately! It’s more about the average across a huge stack of tickets. Your next ticket could win – it’s just as good (or more likely) as a friendly reminder that you have to get back to work tomorrow.

Which factors influence your chances of winning

• The price: More expensive scratch cards often offer higher prizes and sometimes slightly better odds of winning. It’s like at a concert: If you pay more, you might sit closer to the stage—here you hope for a higher chance of winning.
• The game format: Some tickets offer multiple ways to win—you may have to match numbers at different points. More ways to win can increase your chances of at least a small win.
• The big prize is gone: Imagine arriving late to a pizza party and finding only crusts. If all the top prizes have already been awarded, your chances of winning the big prize plummet.
• Print run: The total number of tickets printed influences the odds of winning. A large print run may contain more prizes, but it may also contain a lot of duds.

Can you really trick a scratch card?

Scratch card players rely largely on pure chance—in the best sense of the word! Nevertheless, some players try the following:

Become a chance detective: Before buying, take a look at the back of the ticket and study the odds. Perhaps a game with slightly better odds is worth it.

The “stacking strategy”: Some people swear by drawing multiple tickets from the same section of the roll. This leads them to believe that the next slide must be a winner—maybe, maybe not!

The prize hunter: redfoxlotto actually lists which main prizes have not yet been awarded. It’s like checking a restaurant’s online menu in advance – there’s no disappointment.

The golden rule: Don’t go broke! Since the whole thing should be fun, set a budget and stick to it. Think of it as your entertainment budget—if it’s used up, you’ll have to wait until next time.