How to play a scratch-off ticket: symbols, matches, and bonus spots explained
Scratch-off tickets are simpler than they look, but if you're new to them it isn't always obvious whether the shiny mess you've just uncovered is actually a winner, so this is a plain walk through how the play area works.
Matching the numbers
Most scratch-offs are matching games, with a set of winning numbers printed under a heading like "Winning Numbers" and then your own numbers, usually in a larger grid labeled "Your Numbers". You scratch both areas and compare them, and if any of your numbers matches one of the winning numbers you collect the prize printed beside or beneath it, while matching several means collecting each of those prizes. Once that clicks, the majority of tickets on the rack make sense at a glance.
Special symbols and bonus spots
On top of the basic match, plenty of games add extras. A special symbol such as a money bag, a star or a "WIN" icon often means an automatic win, sometimes of a set amount and sometimes of every prize on the card, while a multiplier like 2X or 5X multiplies whatever prize it's attached to, and some games run a dedicated bonus box or a key number you're trying to match.
None of that is standardized between games, which is why every ticket carries a short how-to-play section printed on the front or the side, and it's worth the ten seconds to read because the same money-bag symbol can mean two quite different things on two different tickets.
Crosswords, bingo and other styles
Plenty of tickets skip the number match entirely. Crossword games have you uncover a row of letters and then use them to complete words, with more completed words paying more, and bingo games work much like the real thing by matching called numbers across your cards. These extended-play styles take longer and feel different while you're playing them, though the result sits printed under the latex in exactly the same way, and the how-to-play still tells you what counts as a win.
The habits that protect you
Sign the back of the ticket before you take it anywhere, because a signed ticket belongs to you and an unsigned one is closer to loose cash. Scratch only the play area and leave the barcode alone, since a damaged barcode makes a genuine winner harder to validate. For anything beyond a small prize, scan the ticket's barcode in your state lottery's app or hand it to a retailer rather than trusting your own eyes, which has the useful side effect of catching wins you might otherwise have thrown away.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you know if you won a scratch-off?
On most games, you match your numbers to the winning numbers. If one of your numbers matches, you win the prize printed with it. Some games use symbols or bonus spots for instant wins. Always confirm with the lottery app or a retailer.
What do the symbols on a scratch-off mean?
Symbols vary by game, but a special icon like a money bag, star, or 2X often signals an instant win or a multiplier. The ticket’s how-to-play section defines exactly what each symbol does for that game.
What should you not scratch on a ticket?
Do not scratch the barcode or validation area on the back or edge. Scratch only the play area. Damaging the barcode can make a winning ticket harder to validate, and signing the back first protects you if you win.
Phil Nageotte is a writer covering scratch-off odds, expected value, prize data, and more. He joined ScratchCheck in 2026 after years of tracking lottery payouts in spreadsheets of his own.
