The Guide to Online Scratch Cards

While the days of grabbing a couple of scratch cards at the supermarket register are long gone, online casinos in Canada offer the same thrilling experience 24/7. Many gaming destinations online offer a variety of scratch card games with progressive jackpots, bonuses, and fun features. 

Like slots, scratch card games come with exciting themes, from fantasy plots down to the latest movies inspired ones. But before you dive into a game, stick around to learn some handy tips and strategies for playing online.

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The Evolution of Scratch Cards

Scratch cards were known as scratch tickets or scratchers back in 1974. Their inventors, John Koza and Dan Bower used to work at J&H International. This was a company that printed and provided Bingo cards to patrons. While working there, John Koza paid close attention to the company’s algorithm for developing the Bingo cards.

In 1972, after he was fired, John partnered with Daniel Bower to develop an algorithm for the first scratch card game. This algorithm ensured fairness and offered players immediate payoffs. Moreover, the game was much simpler in comparison to other casino games. Hence its popularity quickly skyrocketed. In fact, in 1973 alone, 25 million scratch cards were sold in Canada. However, with more new technology emerging the popularity of scratch cards began to wane.

By 2010, online gaming sites had managed to recreate the traditional scratch card gaming experience. This brought about the second and more lasting wave of popularity of scratch card games. Of course, punters love the comfort of playing from home. Besides, real money online casinos offer more payment options, quicker payouts, and bigger prize pools. For example, punters can win up to $2,000 through the National Lottery Website in Canada.

Scratch Cards Guide

Scratch Card Gaming: Rules and Gameplay

Actually, scratch card games are relatively easy to play. Unlike slot games, which involve wild cards and diverse symbols, the rules for scratchers are much simpler. Moreover, the online gaming experience is very similar to old-school tickets. Some Canadian punters may remember that traditional scratch cards had hidden symbols under a strip that was scratchable. Once you scrape off the top film, the symbols would reveal whether you win or not. Similarly, on online gaming sites in Canada, scratch card games entail revealing symbol combinations. But of course, you don’t have to actually scratch a ticket.

But before you dive into a game, you should go through the game rules. Not every online scratch game is the same – some have more or special symbols, and some have different winning combinations or payouts. Hence, you should be reading about the details beforehand.

How to Play

The first and most important step in playing scratch card games online is to sign up with a reputable online casino. Usually, scratch card games are on a 33-square grid with nine tiles. Players place their bets after which they select a fresh card and “scratch” it to reveal the underlying symbols. In real money games, players may win the jackpot payout if they obtain the three winning symbols.

Besides the high payout rates and simple gameplay, online scratch card games come in all sorts of fun themes. Especially if you choose a game from a reputable software provider, you can rely on top-notch graphics, too. Big names like Microgaming, NetEnt, and Playtech, for instance, provide casino operators with high-quality scratch card games.

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Winning Odds and RTP

Fortunately, the odds of winning online tend to be higher than with traditional scratch cards. Of course, the odds will depend on the type of game you choose and subsequently the size of the offered prize. But in general, the odds of winning the prize on instant ticket games are 1 in 3. 

Before playing a scratch card game online, it is important to check the RTP of the game. The RTP represents the percentage of wagered money that returns to players after a win. The game’s RTP will usually be expressed as a percentage on its interface. So, before playing, check for a figure like this – RTP 96%. If you want to cut down the search time, Google can help you find a game with a decent RTP before you play.

This is crucial because RTP is the best way to ascertain a game’s fairness. As a rule of thumb, it’s advisable not to play scratch card games with less than 85% RTP. Or simply put, players should choose a scratch card game with 95% RTP over a game with 80% RTP. So of course, the higher the percentage here, the better.

How to Play Scratchers

Tips and Strategies for Canadian Players

Undoubtedly, scratch cards are games of chance. However, with a couple of strategies under your belt, your odds of winning could improve. 

Practice for Free 

Canadian players can greatly benefit from opportunities to practice for free before playing for real money. Fortunately, most online casinos offer their games in free mode and if yours does you should take advantage. It’s a great way to get familiar with the rules and practice your strategies risk-free. 

Seek Casino Sites with Good Rewards

There are dozens, if not hundreds, casino sites on the internet today. However, not all of them offer bonuses and promotions. A goods size bonus can go a long way in boosting your winning chances by allowing you to play longer. So, you should always be on the lookout for the best bonus offers.

Budget, Budget, Budget

Before staking any real money, you should have a budget or a spending plan. Having a defined budget will help you keep track of your spending and stay responsible. In a nutshell, remember to only bet what you can afford to go without and protect your hard-earned money.

Know the Rules

Your first order of business before playing any online casino game is to learn the rules. Scratch card games may seem very similar but there are many variations with additional symbols or different winning combinations. 

Verify the Casino’s Payment Method

Always ensure that the online casino has a secure banking method. Additionally, you can check online to be sure they have a good history of quick payouts. Do this before you play on any site to avoid getting scammed.

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Playing Scratch Cards Online in Canada

Playing scratch cards online should be pretty straightforward. However, a few things should be kept in mind before playing. A player should:

Choose a Reputable Online Casino

Canada has a plethora of online casino sites that you can choose from. However, before you join any, bear in mind that some of these are rogue operators. So you should always check beforehand if the casino has a license and a good reputation to avoid scammers.

Look for Bonus Offers

One of the best things about playing scratch card games online is the casino bonuses you can take advantage of. Especially for games of chance like scratch cards, using bonus cash can really prolong your time in the game. Stay wary of the terms and conditions attached to the bonus. If the wagering requirements are over 40x, it may be worth opting for another deal.

Play Different Scratch Card Games

You could play either classic or instant win online scratch cards. The “Classic” is a traditional scratch card game where players write numbers on a card/ticket. To win the prize, the three digits you wrote down have to appear before you finish scratching off one row. On the other hand, the “Instant Win” type only requires players to pick any card to win.

Play Wherever, Whenever

Online casinos have made gambling on the go super easy for punters. You don’t have to go somewhere to enjoy a game. In fact, you could play while going somewhere. Just log in through your mobile and game from just about anywhere.

Time to Play

Online scratch card games are just as exciting as the traditional version that many players in Canada know and love. You can enjoy this game of chance from just about anywhere with your mobile at most online casinos out there. Moreover, you’ll get better odds online and the opportunity to use bonus cash and play longer. But of course, you can play in free mode to practice as well. Scratchers are suitable for all players, so go find the best gaming destination for you in our casino reviews.

FAQ

Yes. Most online casinos offer their games in free mode as well, so you can practice risk-free.

Scratch cards are all about luck. With games of chance like this, there’s nothing you can do to influence the results.

The reputation of the software provider and the casino itself are great indicators of whether you’re playing a fair game. Always check the casino license before playing.

Yes, most online casinos nowadays are totally mobile-friendly, so you can play whenever and wherever.

Instant win scratchcards require you to just select a card/ticket as opposed to ‘scratching’ to reveal symbols.

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