Every player has their own preference when it comes to their favourite casino games.
Some love the versatility of online slots: the different themes, bonus rounds and special features mean that every title is different.
Others savour table games like roulette and blackjack; the ‘authentic’ casino experience.
However, some players prefer the instantaneous nature of scratch cards, which reveal the fate of each game in a matter of seconds. There are no complicated rules to know or strategies to follow – simply purchase your card, scratch off the panels and see if you have won or not.
Newcomers to scratch cards can be confused as to how they work. Some uneducated players may say that they are ‘rigged’ or ‘fixed’.
But nothing could be further from the truth. In this guide to how online scratch cards work, we’ll walk you through how scratch cards function and how every single game you play is completely random, fair and unpredictable.
Let’s scratch away!
What are Online Scratch Cards?
Have you ever played a physical scratchcard? You take the card and scratch off the silver panels using a coin, pen or, if you’re brave, a fingernail. If you have the requisite matching numbers, you win the applicable prize.
Well, these scratch card mechanics are exactly the same for the online version, too.
How to Play Online Scratch Cards
You can decide how much you want to stake when buying an online scratch card using the + and – arrows shown on screen.
You will have either one game or, as is becoming more common, multiple games on a single scratch card.
The typical online scratch card gameplay is that you’re looking to match two or more of the same item – it could be cash amounts or a particular symbol – within a single game.
So, scratch off the panels and if you reveal matching amounts/symbols, you will win a prize.
Some scratch card providers have implemented other types of gameplay. For example, in the Fishin’ Frenzy Scratchcard, a mini game requires you to land a fish that weighs heavier than the card’s – if the number in your column is bigger than the other, you will win a prize.
Are Online Scratch Cards Rigged?
In short, no!
Online scratch cards are not dissimilar to other casino games. They are powered by a random number generator (RNG), which creates a string of random code whenever a new game starts.
This code determines the outcome of your card, i.e. whether your numbers match or don’t. The RNG ensures that every single scratch card is different to the last, with the same probability of winning each time.
Online Scratch Cards vs Traditional Scratch Cards
It’s when we compare online and physical scratch cards side by side that we see just how similar they are.
The game mechanics are identical, with the player’s sole aim to scratch off the silver panels and see matching cash prizes or symbols underneath.
Obviously, physical scratch cards require you to actually scratch off each panel. With an online version, you can scratch if you enjoy the suspense – use your finger on a touchscreen device, or a mouse with a computer – to simulate the scratching motion.
An edge that digital scratch cards have is that you can even click a ‘reveal all’ button, which simply removes the silver from the panels automatically to reveal the symbols beneath – casino gaming does get any quicker than that.
Online scratch cards have a wide variety of themes and mini game types, prizes are paid instantly – you don’t have to queue up in a shop – and you can play digital scratch cards any place or any time you want.
Online Scratch Cards & RTP
RTP stands for Return to Player and is a percentage of your stakes that you can expect to win back in a session.
So, if you played £10 worth of stakes on a 90% RTP scratch card, you would – theoretically – win £9 back.
But winning ‘theoretically’ is key here. Because of the nature of the RNG, in a single session you may lose more – or win more – than the stated RTP. This number is a guide as to what to expect over thousands of plays of a particular scratch card.
In theory, but not as a concrete rule, the higher the RTP, the more of your stake you can expect to win back in the long run.
Play Online Scratch Cards Today
So there you have it: your guide to online scratch cards.
As we’ve learned, these are fair, random and unpredictable… not to mention fun, with different themes and game types available.
Here at Prime Slots, we offer more than 60 different scratch card games for a truly varied and enjoyable experience – from Fishin’ Frenzy and Rainbow Riches to Gold Rush, Age of the Gods and even jackpot scratch cards like King Kong Cash.
Join us today for a reliable and trusted online scratch card experience!
