Q&A for How to Win More Scratch Offs

Typically your state lottery will have a web page you can look to see how many of a given ticket were printed, this is a good thing to check to see if the big winners of any given scratch off are already won.

Buy the ones with the best odds and the ones that have not paid out their large prizes. Check your state's lottery website to find the games that have the most prizes currently available.

They are the codes for the tickets. $5 is FIV $10 is TEN $15 is FTN $20 is TWY.

First, read the instructions on the ticket to see how you win. Scratch the ticket and then check it over yourself. You don't have to even scratch the ticket to see if you won. The lotteries have scanners at retailers for you to check yourself. You can also give the ticket to the cashier to scan for you. Be aware that some cashiers may lie to you and say it didn't win. Make sure you get a copy of the receipt the lottery machine prints out to verify it for yourself. Most cashiers are honest though. The lotteries are highly regulated, very strict, and have a no-tolerance policy for cheaters and thieves. You will most likely have no problem with the cashiers, but always be safe than sorry.

it means it is only a tester scratch card and you should ask for a replacement.

All of the games have different odds of winning, such as 1 in 4. That means that every fourth ticket should be a winner. However, there is no guarantee that you will get a winning lottery ticket if you buy four, so I would recommend buying eight. Again, the odds depend on the game.

It doesn't mean anything other than, if you match the number in that space you would win the prize twice. For example, if your number is 5 listed twice on the same scratch off and in the playing area there is a matching 5 with a $5 prize, you would win $10.

The tickets don't win more on a particular day versus any other day. These games are built on top of math, which is independent of the day, location, or most any other factor.

Odds vary for each game. To check the odds, visit your state lottery's website, or check the back of the ticket. The odds usually are listed at both of these places.

It should be fine as long as the bar code is not torn.

Of course! Just remember that the odds are never in your favor with the lottery. For example, let's say a lottery prints 100 tickets that cost the player $1. There are 49 winning tickets and 51 losing tickets. The only prize for this ticket is $2 which consists of your original $1, plus a $1 profit. The overall probability of winning is 49/100 and the payout is even money. In the end, the lottery took in $100 and paid back $98. Their profit is 2%. If you play this ticket in the long-run, you are guaranteed 100% to walk away with less than what you came with. Good luck!

Yes, but once you reach a prize amount listed on the back, it's over. Ex: You win $100. The next prize is $200. Unless there is another $100, there will be no $5/$10 win to add to the original $100 prize.

It is your money. You have been spending money almost like everyone else on the lottery; although it is still the nice thing to do to at least tip something depending on how much you won.

It would depend on the specific ticket and the context in which they were used, but arrows are often used as part of the instructions for the ticket, usually to indicate which instructions pertain to which part of the ticket.

No. They give you the money from the shop till and have to send the winning ticket to the company and get refunded. That's why if you win more than a certain amount, some shops tell you to phone the company.

Look on the back of your scratch game; it'll tell you exactly what your odds are of winning.

I work at a local retailer and when a customer brings in a winner that is expired, although we still scan to satisfy the customer, we are told to let you know that it's expired and to mail it to the lotto business or contact the number listed on the back. Otherwise I don't know what may be done about it, although it is likely that you will not receive a payout because once it expires, the company adds it to the jackpot.

The chances of you winning will vary depending on the type of ticket you are playing.

No. They are usually the number of the game, number in the series, then the ticket number from the pack.

It varies by the game. For example, some $1 and smaller tickets have 99 in the book. Some larger $30 tickets have less than 50.

You uncover the winning numbers, then you uncover the numbers you have, if any of the numbers you have are winning numbers you win some money.

They may be able to type in the card number on the front. Each game piece is already set to win or lose. It's just a matter of time before someone wins.

No. When you turn in a lottery ticket, the clerk scans it and tells you how much you won. If you were to take it to a different store with the same kind of lottery ticket for sale, they would tell you it had already been used.

It depends on the amount won. At least in the state of Pennsylvania, prizes of more than $2,500 will be deducted in taxes. However, if you win like $100 or less, no.

Check your state's website for information.

No, this is just a coincidence. The ticket number has nothing to do with the ticket being a winner or a loser.

It depends on the instructions written on the scratch-off.

Some lottery games which are popular may be "recycled," meaning that game number will be reissued.

Yes and no. A serial number determines whether that specific card is a winner or loser, based on how their computer printed it out. However, the odds are always in the favor of the host.

I had that same thing happen to me before and from what I remember it was something wrong with the store's scanner machine. Try another store’s scanner machine and see what it tells you. If it still is giving you the same result, I would contact your local lottery commission to see what can be done about that.