Scratchcards are a game enjoyed by millions of people daily, with a select few lucky individuals becoming instant millionaires. However, one man, Mohan Srivastava, a geological statistician from Toronto, argued that scratchcards aren’t entirely random. In 2003, Srivastava discovered a flaw in the manufacturing of scratchcards, leading him to create the Singleton Method.

Discovering the Flaw

Srivastava realized that scratchcards couldn’t be entirely random since manufacturers needed to control the number of winning tickets. He discovered that if a number on the side of a card appeared only once, it would almost always appear under the latex coating that needed to be scratched off. He was looking for singletons. Cards with three singletons on the same row were almost always a winning ticket.

Srivastava found that tickets he selected had a 90 percent chance of being winners. Although he reported his findings to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, they stated it was caused by a design flaw in the game. However, Srivastava’s trick could be used to crack most scratchcards on the continent.

Extent of the Flaw

Most scratchcards in North America are produced by just a few companies, so the bad practice extended to other scratchcards as well. Srivastava continued to test his method with other similar scratch lottery games and found the same patterns were evident.

According to Srivastava, scratchcard companies can’t fix the flaw since they use algorithms to ensure the correct number of winning cards are produced. If they didn’t, they couldn’t control the number of winning tickets.

How the Singleton Method Works

The Singleton Method only works on extended play scratchcards, where you scratch off numbers and match them with numbers already shown. This is because these visible numbers are the key to this system. However, you need to be able to see the fronts of scratchcards before you buy them, which isn’t always possible. Additionally, there’s no guaranteeing how much you’ll win, so you could go to the effort of identifying and purchasing a winner, only to find that you’ve only won $2.

Is the Singleton Method Still Effective?

Overall, the Singleton Method is still possible to use, providing the situation is right. So why not try it the next time you head to the store to buy a scratchcard? While it may not guarantee a large payout, it could increase your chances of winning.

Limitations and Considerations

It’s important to keep in mind that the Singleton Method isn’t foolproof, and there are limitations to its effectiveness. For instance, the method may not work on all types of scratchcards, and you may not always be able to see the front of the card before purchasing. Additionally, even if you do identify a potentially winning card, the prize amount may not be significant.

In conclusion, while the Singleton Method may provide an advantage when playing scratchcards, it’s essential to approach the game with realistic expectations. There’s no guarantee of winning large sums of money, but the method could potentially increase your chances of winning smaller prizes. So, the next time you’re in the mood for a scratchcard, consider trying the Singleton Method and see if it works for you.