Scratchcards are also known as Instants or Instant Win games because they allow you to win a prize “in an instant”. They are in fact game cards which require the player to scratch off silver-covered areas with a coin or thumbnail in order to reveal hidden game symbols underneath. Most scratchcards cost just £1 or £2, although there are occasionally games with much higher jackpots than can cost as much as £5.

You can also play scratchcards online here

Choosing Your Game

There are dozens of scratchcard games available, but not all lottery retailers stock the entire range, so you will generally be restricted to playing those games that are made available to you. Each game has its own theme and rules, and its own prize structure, although as a general rule the level of the jackpot is determined by the cost of the game. A £2 scratchcard will therefore tend to offer a higher jackpot than a £1 game.

Buying Your Game

Buying a scratchcard is as easy as buying anything else from a retailer. Just look at the games that are available, pick one that takes your fancy and then hand over your money. All lottery retailers have information about each game they sell, including the odds of winning and how many top prizes there are, so ask to see this if you want to base your decision on either of those factors. Do bear in mind, however, that this information was accurate only at the time that the game was first launched. It could be that the top prize and several medium sized prizes have already been won, and this would obviously reduce your odds somewhat!

Playing the Game

All scratchcards are very simple to play and instructions are provided on the cards themselves. Generally speaking, the aim in most games is for you to find a specific number of matching symbols or prize amounts, so all you have to do is scratch and see if you have won.

Claiming Your Prize

The great thing about scratchcards is that you can play them moments after buying them, and this allow you to pop back into the retailer to claim a modest prize of up to £75 (or sometimes £200). Prizes of up to £10,000 can be claimed at any National Lottery Post Office. If you are lucky enough to win a prize worth more than £10,000 then you will need to claim in person at a National Lottery Regional Centre.