For smaller organizations with large volunteer bases, I like the concept of using scratch cards for fundraising. Concepts like scratch cards, candy bar sales. By trading in the more common circle for cloud and pennant shapes, the scratch off surface becomes an eye-catching. Small scissors work best for this.

1. How Do Scratch Off Game Work
2. How Do Scratch Offs Work At Home
3. How Does Scratch Tickets Work
4. How Do Scratch Off Stickers Work
5. How To Scratch Off Machines Work
6. How Do Scratch Off Cards Work

Secrets of State Lottery Scratch-off Contracts

When most people think of advantage gambling, state lottery scratch-offs are the last thing that enters their minds.

Everyone’s heard of counting cards at blackjack. There are even several moviesabout it.

And poker has been shown to be a game of skill; just look at the repeat winners of major tournaments like the World Series of Poker and the World Poker Tour.

But most people still refer to the lottery as an “idiot tax”.

And scratch offs have a notoriously bad expected value (which you can think of as a gambling game’s return on investment).

To give you an example of how bad lottery tickets can be, most $1 scratch offs have an expected value of around 60%, meaning for every $1 you spend, you’re expected to get back just $0.60; a $0.40 loss.

Most penny slots have paybacks that are better than that.

And other gambling games, like blackjack, can approach 99% payback without any card counting at all.

I’m here to shed light on a new way of thinking about scratch-offs and show you how you can improve your odds. It won’t always be profitable.

But under the right circumstances, it can be. If you’re going to play regardless, you might as well maximize your chances of winning.

Here are my insights about how to win at scratch-offs. I’ve gained these insights by reading the contracts and procurement documents that state lottery organizations have with their ticket printers.

Combine these insights with sites that calculate a scratch-off ticket’s odds, and you’ll be playing like a sharp

Where Are Scratch-off Grand Prizes?

Grand prizes are not random.

I’m sure all of these insights will come as a surprise.

But this one is probably the biggest.

Surely the state wants to ensure a fair game.

How can it be fair if the biggest prizes of all aren’t even random?

Here’s an image of the procurement document that the Massachusett’s lottery used to elicit bids from ticket printers:

You’ll see that they require the grand prizes to be distributed evenly throughout the game.

Note that “distributed evenly throughout the game” is not random.

If the prizes were random, then they might all appear at the start of the game. Or they might all appear at the end of a game.

But the state doesn’t want that to happen. If all of the grand prizes were claimed at the start of the game, then people would stop playing the game because they would have no shot at the big money.

You can take advantage of this fact by figuring out how many tickets are in a “pool” where a grand prize should be. If there are 9,000,000 tickets and 3 grand prizes, then divide 9,000,000 by 3 to figure out that there must be 1 grand prize every 3,000,000 tickets.

Then, use the state’s lottery website to figure out how many tickets remain. Most states publish this information for each game.

In the example game just mentioned, if there were 7,000,000 tickets remaining and still 3 remaining grand prizes, then you know the first grand prize must be in the next 1,000,000 tickets. Your odds just improved from 1 in 3,000,000 to 1 in 1,000,000.

That may not seem like much, but it can mean the difference between negative and positive expected value.

Is There A Limit To The Number Of Big Winning Tickets In A Roll?

Here’s an image from documents filed as part of a Texas lawsuit against the state and the ticket printer:

In this contract that Texas has with IGT, there’s a clause that states that there can be no more than a certain number of $25-$50 winners per pack of tickets. There’s another clause that states there can be no more than one winner of $75 and higher per pack. (The “one” is redacted, but we can deduce that tit’s one by looking at the word following the redaction, which is “winner” rather than “winners”).

How can you use this to your advantage?

Buy only one ticket from a pack at a time and scratch it right there at the store.

If it happens to be a big winner, don’t buy any more tickets from that pack.

What Is The Minimum Payback for a Roll of Scratch-off Tickets?

This next image is from the request for a proposal from the New Mexico lottery association to ticket printers:

How Do Scratch Off Game Work

It shows that each pack of tickets has some guaranteed payout. The details of the guaranteed payout aren’t specified, but from other contracts and personal experience, I’ve found it to typically be about 50% of the price of a pack of tickets. If an entire roll of tickets costs $600, then the GLEP is usually about $300.

What this means for the advantage player is that you should not stop buying after a string of losers.

Since each roll of tickets is guaranteed to have a certain minimum payout, then every loser you see increases the chance that the remaining tickets are winners.

Conclusion

While none of the above insights will guarantee you will win, they are just a few of the things you can do for yourself if you want to know how to beat scratch-offs.

Combine these insights with some expected value calculations from the remaining prizes that get displayed on the state lottery websites and you’ll be doing way better than the average lotto player.

Good luck.

About the Author

Eric Ihli, a professional gambler/programmer, spent 10 years as a full-time professional gambler and 5 years as a software engineer. He now combines those two passions by writing software to discover and evaluate profitable gambling opportunities.

Would you like to become a Turntablist but don’t know where to begin?

You don’t have to go it alone! Learning to scratch takes the a combination of instruction and deliberate practice. Whilst there is no shortcut to this process, what makes all the difference is having the scratch techniques and ways to practice them properly explained and broken down for you step by step. Whether you have no idea how to begin scratching or if you’re struggling to make progress, I share what I’ve learned throughout the past 19 years during my 1000’s of hours of scratching. I demystify the art and help you start scratching as simply as possible. I believe that anyone can scratch, it just takes patience, dedication, and the right amount of focused learning.

That’s why I created School of Scratch 🆘

– Emma Short-E

Join School of Scratch today!

What is the School of Scratch?

School of Scratch (est. 2014) is the definitive online how to scratch course and online community. Learn at your own pace, using clearly broken down, high quality HD scratch tutorial videos, taught by Emma Short-E of Studio Scratches.

Scratch Tutorial Videos from Emma Holmes

High quality scratch video tutorials you’ll love to watch, with each step thoughtfully broken down and made simple, so you can put it into practice right away. Train with QnA practice videos.

Support & Community

Connect with other Scratch DJs in the Discussion Forums. Share your progress and tips and be inspired on your scratch journey! Share content and inspiration in our private Facebook group.

The classroom is the place to go for highly focused, concentrated scratch tuition in easy to follow courses.

8 Courses:

• Course 1 – Equipment Needed (9 videos)
• Course 2 – Equipment Set Up (6 videos)
• Course 3 – Before you Start Scratching (3 videos)
• Course 4 – Scratch Techniques (26 videos)
• Course 5 – Scratch Combos (19 videos)
• Course 6 – Scratch & Music Theory (10 videos)
• Course 7 – Technical Guides (3 Videos)
• Course 8 – QnA Training Videos (22 videos)

Each video is fully comprehensive and contains step-by-step instruction, broken down into manageable bite size chunks to make learning as simple and effective as possible.

Watch An Entire Sample Video Tutorial

Course 1 – Equipment Needed

A comprehensive overview of each piece of equipment needed, what it is, why you need it (if it isn’t too obvious) and how it is used in scratching. Simple but essential stuff!

1. Scratch DJ Equipment Buyers Guide – eBook PDF download.
2. Turntables – 04:15
3. Cartridge & Stylus – 02:02
4. Mixer – 04:02
5. Slipmats – 02:48
6. Scratch Vinyl – 02:44
7. Instrumentals – 04:14
8. DVS – 02:51
9. Digital Scratch Records / Samples – 02:09
10. Amp / Headphones / Speakers – 01:07

9 Videos, Total Time: 26:12

Course 2 – Equipment Set Up

All the information, tips and tricks that you need to set up your equipment for the ultimate silky smooth scratching experience. It covers all the small things that make a BIG difference.

1. Setup / Plugging In – 03:16
2. Tone Arm Adjustment For Skip Free Needles – 03:09
3. Record Hole Adjustment – 03:10
4. Finding Samples and Marking Records – 03:36
5. How to EQ Your Records – 01:39
6. Table Height – 01:12

6 Videos, Total Time: 16:02

Course 3 – Before you Start Scratching

We’re almost ready to get on the tables and start cutting it up, but before we do that, it’s important to first consider a few final things.

1. Which Hand Should I Use On The Crossfader? – 04:59
2. Hamster / Reverse vs Regular Crossfader – 04:31
3. Scratch Notation – 03:50

3 Videos, Total Time: 13:20

Course 4 – Scratch Techniques

I break down each scratch technique slowly and thoroughly, to give you the best chance of building a solid scratch foundation. The end of each tutorial contains a QnA where I perform the techniques slowly and then leave space for you to copy me.

1. Baby Scratch – 11 mins
2. Drops – 13 mins
3. Forward Scratch – 10 mins
4. Reverse Scratch– 10 mins
5. Stab Scratch – 14 mins
6. Transformer Scratch – 18 mins
7. Chirp Scratch – 22 mins
8. Flare Scratch – 24 mins
9. Crab Scratch – 27 mins
10. Slice Scratch – 18 mins
11. Tears– 19 mins
12. Dicing – 17 mins
13. 2 Click Flare – 16 mins
14. Twiddle – 22 mins
15. 3 Click Flare – 19 mins
16. Delayed 3 Click Flare – 23 mins
17. Original Flare – 20 mins
18. Echo Scratch (Upfader Technique) – 23 mins
19. Fades / Fading (Upfader Technique) – 23 mins
20. Drags – 28m
21. TranSlice – 19m
22. Regular Fader Demo – 2m
23. Whips – 19m
24. Short-E Special Scratch – 14m
25. Hydroplane – 24m
26. Pushes – 17m

26 Videos, Total Time: 7 hours 52 min

Course 5 – Scratch Combos

Once you have learnt some of the basic scratch techniques, it’s time to start linking them together into “scratch combos”. I can’t wait to share my favourite combos that I perform in my QnA videos with you.

1. Military Scratch – 16 mins
2. Chirp Flare Scratch – 25 mins
3. See Saws – 17 mins
4. Boomerang – 21 mins
5. Swing Flare – 20 mins
6. 2 Click Chirp Flare – 16 mins
7. Joe Cooley – 26m
8. A6 Autobahn – 19m
9. Fast Autobahn – 21m
10. Slow Autobahn – 25m
11. A8 Autobahn Minus 5th Sound – 15m
12. Swing Flare > Dices > Release – 13m
13. Swingy Boomerang – 12m
14. Reverse Crab > Tear / Release – 13m
15. Crab > Dice > Release > Drag > Translice – 20m
16. 3 Click Flare Twist: Twiddle + Extra Click – 12m
17. Travelling Boomerang / Autobahn > Crabs > Transforms – 15m
18. Switch Tazer – 10m
19. BoomFlare – 18m

This section also includes my DJcity.com “Scratch Combo of the Month” series with extra breakdown info:

1. Baby > Half Chirp > Reverse Dice > Translice – 4m
2. Half Boomerang > Flare > Crab > Translice – 5m
3. A6 Autobahn Styles – 6m
4. 3 Click > 1 Click Flare > Whip – 4m
5. Swing Flare > Dice / Forwards – 4m
6. Whip > Dice > Drag – 6m
7. Baby > 2 Click Flare – 4m
8. Swing Flare Stabs – 6m
9. Joe Cooley Flares – 6m
10. Transforms to Swing Flare – 5m
11. Boomerang, Flare, Reverse Crab, Drag – 5m
12. Transforms, Swing Flare – 4m
13. Crab, 1 click flare, transforms – 6m
14. Forwards, Transforms, Reverse, Boomerang – 3m
15. Swing flare, 1 click flare, forwards – 6m
16. Boomerang Pause – 7m
17. Baby with transforms, slices, dices and a drag – 7m
18. 2 click flare twiddle over a 2 part vocal – 9m
19. Slice, 2 transforms forward, reverse crab and flare combo – 7m
20. Reverse crab and flares – 6m
21. Slice and transforms – 8m
22. Military, swing flare / boomerang – 8m
23. Delayed flare styles – 9m
24. Forward, reverse, crab – 8m

43 Videos, Total Time: 8 hours.

Course 6 – Scratch & Music Theory

Make your scratching flow and become more musical in your expression.

1. Counting Beats & Bars – 10m
2. Beats, Note Length & Timing – 10m
3. Triplets – 6m
4. Syncopation – 21m
5. Syncopation in Action – 46
6. Swing – 22m
7. Vocal Cuts – 41m – The ultimate guide to scratching with vocal samples!
8. Vocal Cuts part 2 – 11m
9. Stutter Vocal Cuts – 20m
10. Say It Before You Play It – 6m

10 Videos, Total Time: 3 hours 14 mins.

Course 7 – QnA Training Videos

Not got anyone to jam with? Now you do! Practice your scratching with me. 22 Videos, Total Time: 3 hours 56 mins.

Course 8 – Technical Guides

This section covers technical tips and tricks that can help your scratch life easier! Currently featuring 3 super helpful videos from guest tutor and video pro Suckertash, with more planned.

1. How To Record Better Scratch Videos – Part 1 – Equipment & Setup – 7 mins
2. How To Record Better Scratch Videos – Part 2 – Recording – 5 mins
3. How To Record Better Scratch Videos – Part 3 – Post Production / Editing – 10 mins

3 Videos, Total Time: 22 mins.

Combined Total School of Scratch Video Time: 24 hours 20 mins

Ready to learn how to scratch? Join School of Scratch today.

Two places to connect with others and get support, via…

A Community Discussion Forum

Here you can:

• Meet other DJs.
• Ask your peers scratch related questions.
• Share links to your scratch videos and get feedback from other students.
• Share your progress and tips and be inspired on your scratch journey!

Live Room

Chat to fellow classmates via text in real time, by jumping into the live scratch room and broadcast your practice with your webcam and jam with others. There is also a very active private Facebook group so you can connect with our amazingly supportive community of like minded DJs aka the Supa Scratch Crew.

About Your Tutor

Meet your classmates – The Supa Scratch Crew

The Supa Scratch Crew are the awesome members of School of Scratch. They are scratch DJs from all over the world, who have varying levels of skill and experience. I have never met such an amazingly supportive, positive, encouraging group of DJs who care about each other’s progress and experience in the School and in life. When you join School of Scratch, you are joining our crew. We are family!

Unlimited 24/7 Access
Classroom of HD Scratch Tutorial Videos
Proven curriculum you can work through
Practice Cheat Sheet
Progress Tracker
QnA Training Videos
Community Discussion Forums
Live Video Scratch Room available 24/7
Private Facebook Group Access
Monthly Scratch Challenges to help you practice and progress
100 Days of Scratching Ultimate Support Package
*NEW* 100 Days of Practice Challenge and Guide

8 Courses
122 videos
24+ hours of content

Bonus Downloads:

Ahhh & Fresh Samples
10 Beats for Scratch Practice
Speed Booster Training mp3

Choose a membership option below to get started today. As soon as you purchase, you will get immediate access (via user name and password) to the School of Scratch 🆘 and our Supa Scratch Crew Community ❤️.

Most affordable. Spread the cost of learning.

$49 a month*

• *Membership renews automatically every month, cancel anytime

BEST VALUE – A single one off payment gets you unlimited lifetime access to the School and community.

Our Lifetime Membership Re-opens on March 26, so sign up to get the announcement!

PSST: You’ll also get a sweet presale offer!

Lifetime Bonuses and Perks include:

• Ultimate Beats for Scratch Practice download ($70 value)
• Ultimate Scratch Samples download ($25 value)
• Supa Scratch Crew Control Vinyl Labels
• Supa Scratch Crew Gold Hot Foil Print – signed by Emma, with a handwritten message to you on the reverse

Payment Plan Available

FAQ

“I am a complete beginner, I am worried I am not good enough to join.“

Please don’t worry! You are the reason School of Scratch was created! Complete beginners are catered to and walked through the process. You’ll be cutting it up fresh in no time! Our community is super supportive and encouraging. We all know what it feels like to be new at this!

“What equipment do I need?”

Course 1 – “Equipment Needed” walks you through the equipment you need to enjoy scratching. Put simply, you need: A turntable with cartridge and stylus, mixer, slipmat and some vinyl to scratch with. If you would like to know more, download my Scratch DJ Equipment Guide. You’ll also need an internet connection to log into the School and watch the videos and interact in the community.

“You scratch hamster and with your right hand on the crossfader, but I scratch regular and / or with my other hand on the fader. Can I still learn and benefit?”

Absolutely! Scratching can be broken down into moving the record backwards and forwards whilst opening and closing the crossfader. Simply take these principles and apply it to whichever hand you use on the crossfader, hamster or regular.

“I use a controller, not turntables + a mixer. Can I benefit from the lessons?”

YES! I mainly teach using turntables and vinyl DVS AND I also have 17 lessons teaching the basics on a Reloop Beatpad 2 controller, using Algoriddim djay 2 software. Scratching with digital controllers is totally possible, the only difference is it feels a little different than using vinyl, because the platters don’t spin and are so much smaller. Many controllerists use my tutorials and adapt the basic principles to their digital setup. The art of scratching is really about moving the platters backwards and forwards and turning the crossfader off and on. It’s only the finer subtleties of the moving platter that are missing when you use a controller. I also recommend watching the free tutorial on this page above to see if you can apply the principles to the specific controller you are using. Both vinyl heads and controllerists are welcome in the school! Many of us use both.

“Aren’t there free scratch tutorial videos on YouTube I can watch and learn from?”

Yes AND the School of Scratch is a dedicated place to learn from professionally recorded, high quality videos, in an order that makes the most sense. You won’t have to search to find what’s next or piece together incomplete information. We have a complete curriculum you can follow step by step. You’ll also benefit from being in our positive community who will support your scratch journey. After all, scratching is so much more than just techniques!

“Do you cover advanced techniques?”

How Do Scratch Offs Work At Home

Yes we do! From the Boomerang to all flavours of the Autobahn scratchers, there is something for everyone. All levels are welcome! If you are advanced – I recommend checking my DJcity combos which combine all of the advance level scratches, the QnA section where you can jam along. We also invite you to hang out in the forums or live room and even help others! Inspiration is possible at every level, we got you covered!

“Is there any minimum commitment or lock-in on the monthly membership?”

No, absolutely not. You can cancel anytime. If you need to take a break and leave at any time you can. You are also welcome back at any time! We are family!

“I have another question…”

I can’t wait to hear them, email them to hello@schoolofscratch.com and you will receive a reply.

Ready to learn how to scratch? – Join School of Scratch today!

SoS Students in Action

Some of our current students in action using skills honed in the School.

Testimonials

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