Improve Chances of Winning at Scratch Cards

Scratch cards are so simple and so much fun. But can you improve your chances of winning?

Despite being a game of chance, we have developed a key plan to help you increase your chances of success.

Read on to learn more about online scratch cards, how you can implement a helpful strategy, and where you can enjoy free scratch card games.

The Top Scratch Card Casinos for 2025

Check out our favorite casino sites offering the best scratch cards online.

What Are Scratch Cards?

Scratch cards are a unique lottery-style game.

Players simply scratch away the surface of a card, revealing symbols underneath.

If those symbols match the requirements to win a prize, the player gets to collect that prize.

For example, scratching away three of the same symbols might result in a $100 prize.

This game type is popular for many of the same reasons slots are popular.

The rules are simple, the gameplay is easy, and the thrill of instant wins is very attractive.

Where to play scratch cards?

You can buy physical scratch cards all over the US. However, we are going to focus on online scratch cards.

These are easily accessible and can be found at online casinos, and top Sweepstakes casinos like WOW Vegas, and you can play scratch cards games at Gamesville too.

Understanding the Basics of Online Scratch Cards

It only takes seconds to fully understand how to play scratch cards online.

We’ll also show you how the odds of winning are represented in these games. Give it a few minutes, and you’ll be a scratch card expert.

How Scratch Cards Work

With scratch cards, you just set your bet and scratch the virtual card.

For mobile players, this will just mean rubbing your screen as if you were scratching a card.

PC or laptop players can hold down the left button on their mouse and hover over the card.

Once the card has been revealed, any winning combinations will be paid out.

Most games ask for three matching symbols or amounts. For example, three “bell” symbols or an amount like “2.50”.

Odds and Probabilities Explained

The odds of winning at online scratch cards vary from game to game.

We think the easiest representation of how likely you are to win can be observed with the Return to Player (RTP) and volatility provided by the developer of the game.

Return to Player refers to how much of your bets you can statistically expect to receive if you played over a long time.

For example, an RTP of 92% would mean you could get 92% of your bets back.

Volatility refers to how often and how big a scratch card is likely to pay out.

Low volatility refers to games that payout frequently, but with smaller-sized wins.

High volatility refers to games that pay out less frequently, but the wins are usually larger.  

Strategies to Improve Your Chances

Ultimately, scratch cards are pure games of chance. So, there is no way to guarantee a win.

However, we do think there’s a handful of considerations you can make to increase your chances of winning.

Choose Your Scratch Cards Wisely

Always fully understand the odds of winning and how the scratch card is played. You’re not looking for surprises.

One of the best ways to choose a scratch card is to check out the free cards at Gamesville. You can test them out before heading to an online casino.

Look for cards with a high RTP and low volatility. These are the online casino scratch cards that will offer the most frequent payouts. 

For example, the highly volatile John Daily Scratch It has an RTP of 88%, so it usually requires a few rounds to see some wins.

Your choice influences your play style too. For example, low-volatility games may see you betting higher stakes while high-volatility games might see you holding back.

Manage Your Budget

Bankroll management and budget control are always an important part of success. It’s a good idea to set a spending limit and manage how big your bets are.

Start small and get a feel for how the scratch card works.

Timing and Frequency Tips

Think about how often you play. These are a pure game of chance and playing too often can lead to a lot more losses than wins.

Schedule your time to play and it might not be the best idea to play for too long.

When you play doesn’t matter though. You can play in the evening, the morning, or the middle of the day.

Your odds of winning while playing scratch cards online will remain the same.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Scratch cards are so fun and simple, it can be easy to get carried away and ignore the most common mistakes.

These are those little errors you forget about that can drain your bankroll in a heartbeat.

Think about these common online scratch card mistakes before you load up your favorite games.

Ignoring the Odds

Never ignore the odds. If you’re expecting a lot of consistent wins from a highly volatile slot, it’s probably not going to happen.

Your play style needs to match the scratch card in front of you.

For example, a common strategy is to risk more on low volatility slots, since they statistically produce more consistent wins.

Overspending in the Hope of Winning Big

The allure of that big win is tempting but the odds suggest you should never place overly big bets for a long time.

Overspending while chasing that huge win is the fastest way to burn through your bankroll.

Falling for Myths About Scratch Cards

Just don’t fall for the silly things you may read online. There are plenty of casino gaming myths out there that can trick players.

If it sounds too good to be true or doesn’t stand up to obvious logic, take the advice with a grain of salt.

Always test a theory, strategy, or concept about scratch cards before using it out there in the real world.

For example, scratch cards are RNG-based, therefore there cannot be a “best time” to play the games.

Fun and Responsible Play

Responsible gaming is the only safe and fun way to play.

Our top sweepstakes casinos and all of the free games at Gamesville are also entirely fun and safe. That’s because you cannot bet with real money.

However, should you choose to play at online casinos, we have some tips to stay safe and ensure playing scratch cards remains fun.

Treat It as Entertainment, Not Investment

Even when playing with real money, consider online scratch cards as entertainment.

You’ll play a lot more responsibility and have a lot more fun if you imagine that every bet could be a losing bet.

This is not an investment, you’re playing fun casino games that could net you some winnings.

Recognizing When to Take a Break

The best skill of any serious gamer is the ability to know when to walk away.

Recognize when you’re getting a little reckless when the odds just aren’t happening for you, and when you feel you might not be having as much fun.

It doesn’t necessarily have to be a long break. You could walk away for 10 minutes, 10 hours, or 10 days. Just take whatever time you need to ensure you play responsibly while having fun.

Our Favorite Scratch Cards

There are loads of different scratch cards of varying themes and styles.

However, some are simply our favorites. You can play these scratch cards on our website or at top sweepstakes casinos.

John Daly Scratch It & Win It

A big one for the golf fans, this game is endorsed by the legendary John Daly.

Featuring an avatar version of the great man himself, players scratch away golf balls to reveal prizes.

You just need to match three amounts, and the top prize is 10,000x your bet.

Scratch Match

Scratch Match is a fast game with quick-reveal panels and instant wins.

The animations are tons of fun and you can control how many panels you wish to play for.

Perfect for those keeping to a strict bankroll strategy.

Conclusion

Scratch cards are up there with the most engaging, exciting, and fun lottery-style games that you can find at online casinos.

While still a game of chance, much like a slot title, you can use general strategies such as playing high-volatility games with lower bets and budget management to improve your chances of winning.

Above all, responsible play styles are the best way to go with a focus on fun and not financial gain.

We recommend playing the incredible scratch card games at Gamesville, to practice your strategies and find your favorite game.  

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