All online casino games are predicated on luck and good fortune. Visually, they can look very different from one another, but the mechanics driving the action are often remarkably similar.
Take online scratch cards and slots, for example. At face value, these two game types couldn’t be any more different in terms of gameplay.
And yet, they are both driven by a random number generator (RNG) and largely governed by their return to player rate (RTP). So, under the hood, online scratch cards and online slots aren’t all that different.
But for any players reading this that are unsure which game to play, there are ways that you can distinguish your favourites in the scratch cards vs slots debate; whether that’s in the gameplay, the odds or the possible payouts.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the key differences between the two game types.
How Online Scratch Cards Work
After purchasing an online scratch card, you will be greeted with a screen on which three or more mini games await you.
You can scratch off the panels, either by swiping your screen or by manoeuvring your mouse from side to side.
The object is to match symbols or cash prizes, or to ‘win’ a specific mini game – in Fishin’ Frenzy Scratch Card, for example, one game requires you to catch a fish that weighs more than the opponents, i.e. a higher number than theirs.
Alternatively, you can just click the ‘reveal all’ button, which automatically removes the panels to show if you have won or not.
Some scratch cards feature unique bonuses, which can be unlocked when a specific symbol is revealed from underneath a panel. This can pay out a cash prize, trigger a multiplier or even whisk you away to a separate bonus round.
Online scratch cards are randomly generated, so each card is different every time, meaning that your win probability is – theoretically – linked to the game’s RTP.
These scratch cards offer quickfire gameplay and the chance to score instant wins.
How Online Slots Work
Online slots are also determined by the randomness of their RNG.
Players choose their stake and the number of paylines they want active (when this isn’t fixed) before hitting the spin button. The object is to match the same symbols on a payline, from left-to-right (in classic slots) or in specific patterns and combinations (e.g. Megaways slots).
Many online slot games have bonus rounds and special features these days. A free spins round can be triggered in which players get to spin the reels free of charge – often with new symbols added, or bonus games can be unlocked in which players can spin prize wheels, pick from a selection of symbols to reveal a payout or multiplier and so on.
And then, of course, there’s jackpot slots. These can offer up major payouts that are fixed in size, or linked to a progressive jackpot network – and so the fund continues to grow until a lucky player spins the right combination of symbols.
Differences Between Scratch Cards and Slots
Online scratch cards are famed for their speed and simplicity, with players able to complete a card within a matter of seconds – those fortunate enough to do so will land what is, practically, an instant win.
The slot game mechanics are slightly slower paced, with each spin taking a couple of seconds to complete. They are, generally, more complex too, with many different game symbols contributing to base play, free spins, bonus features and more.
It’s worth noting that the RTP of online scratch cards is, generally, lower than that of slots. Scratch cards will typically have an RTP in the range of 70-85%, whereas slots are – for the most part – in the 90-97% range.
However, scratch card prizes can often be higher than slots payouts; certainly for the lower-paying combination in slots, anyway.
So your personal preferences for game speed, complexity and that theoretical return to player – low risk and low reward, or high risk and potentially high reward – will perhaps determine whether it’s scratch cards or slots that are right for you.
Slots vs Scratch Cards: Making Your Choice
Getting the right balance between entertainment and potential reward is the key factor behind the slots vs scratch cards debate.
The good news is that at Prime Slots, we have low stakes options in both slots and scratch cards. So, you can play both without putting too much of a dent in your bankroll… discovering which game type is your favourite.
As always, no matter which you choose, have fun and always gamble responsibly!
