Wicked Satisfying

The inspiration for this post came from a couple of weeks ago when I eagerly scratched away a couple of tickets to reveal a total of a $70 win! I don’t really make a habit out of buying scratch tickets, but I have been known to have pretty good luck with them. The satisfaction that comes with a winning scratch ticket is definitely multifaceted. There is the typical satisfaction that falls into the category that this blog somewhat avoids - the “I just scored a goal/aced a test/got a raise” type.

I’m a bit of a masochist when I scratch scratch tickets - if I get a winning symbol, I wait until I’ve scratched the entire ticket before I go back and see what prize(s) I’ve been awarded. Some people scratch them all in one line, other people scratch off a neat little square for each number, some plow through and scratch the whole board, and others are calculated and like to savor the moment. Whatever your scratching style, you have to admit that there is a different kind of satisfaction in the very essence of this little portable slot machine that can catapult it to ‘wicked satisfying’ status:

• It’s small and relatively thick, and can be torn cleanly from a perforated line. Perforated tears are always satisfying.
• It offers a shiny but not too shiny surface, usually with a satisfying symbol covering the area you’re supposed to scratch.
• Depending on the consistency of the scratch foil and what type of coin you’re using, you can scratch quickly and push the shavings off cleanly.
• You have the added bonus satisfaction of the giddy excitement when scratching off a winning symbol to find out how much richer you are.

Now, a breakdown of the satisfaction level of different types of scratch tickets:

• The $1 tickets are by far the least satisfying, not only due to their size, but also the number of chances you have to win, the odds that you’ll win, and the amount that you’ll win.
• Five dollar tickets are the prime value to go for. They’re decently sized so you know you’ve got a lot of chances at a prize, they’re the most square of all of the ticket values, and they’re not so expensive that you’re at a huge loss if you don’t win.
• $10 and above are risky. They’re definitely satisfying to look at because they offer so many scratch spots, but you’re running a bigger risk, and this can sometimes detract from the satisfaction of the entire experience when you’ve scratched over half of the card and haven’t won anything. All the more satisfying, though, if someone gives you a scratch ticket. That way you’re not out any money even if you lose!

Whatever the case, whether you win or lose, scratch tickets are definitely wicked satisfying. It’s opportunity staring you in the face. All you need is a coin, a flat surface, and some focus. After all, free money = wicked satisfying, and if you don’t win, you can have the satisfaction of scratching off the “Void if removed” bar at the bottom.

The Satisfy-o-Meter
(4 votes, average: 5 out of 5)

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Tags: satisfying things, scratch tickets, scratching a scratch ticket, wicked satisfying, winning scratch tickets