How a lucky number campaign works
A lucky number game has one or more winning numbers or codes, which you type in or upload. Players type in the number they think it is. If their guess matches, they win. If not, they see a friendly message and can try again if you allow it. You decide how often each person can play.
Like most Scratcher games, it usually starts with a short sign-up form, where people give their name, email and perhaps a newsletter permission. Then they guess. The prize can be an instant win, a unique discount code or an entry into a draw. You decide what happens for right and wrong guesses.
You control how hard it is. A short code with few digits gives more people a chance. A longer code makes the win feel rarer. If you want to help people along, you can reveal one or more characters as a hint.
The lucky number game sits somewhere between luck and skill. With no hints, it is mostly a game of chance, like a scratch card. With hints spread across your channels, it becomes a small hunt, where the most curious players have the best odds. Pick the mix that fits your goal.
When to use a lucky number game
The lucky number game is quick and full of suspense. It works well when you want to:
- Get many people to play: it takes seconds, and anyone can do it.
- Run a code hunt: hide hints in your store, on your packaging, in your newsletter or on social media.
- Create a buzz around a launch or an event: "Guess the code and win tickets" is easy to share.
- Drive traffic between channels: a hint in one place sends people to the game in another.
It suits retail and webshops, food and drink, events and entertainment, and any brand that wants a fast, simple game. A restaurant can give away a free meal. A festival can give away VIP passes to the people who crack the code.
5 ideas for your lucky number game
- Crack the code: a three-digit code opens a treasure chest with a discount inside.
- Receipt hunt: print a hint on receipts, and let shoppers scan a QR code and play.
- Birthday number: let people guess the year your company was founded, and celebrate your anniversary with prizes.
- Countdown to launch: reveal one digit of the code each day before a big launch.
- Festival access: the right code wins tickets or a backstage pass.
Tips for a lucky number game that converts
Tip #1: Find the right level of difficulty
If nobody wins, people lose interest. If everybody wins, the prize feels cheap.
- Use fewer digits when you want many winners.
- Use more digits and hints for a real challenge.
- Test the game before you go live.
Tip #2: Make the hints part of the campaign
Hints are a great way to send people to your other channels. Put one in your newsletter, one on social media and one in your store. People who follow all your channels have a better chance, and that feels fair.
Tip #3: Be clear about the prizes
Show the prize on the start page and explain how to win. Use instant wins for a quick thrill, or a draw for one big prize. You can mix both. See the options on our prizes page.
Tip #4: Ask only for what you need
The game is quick, so keep the form short. An email and a newsletter permission are often enough. Read more about lead generation with games.
Tip #5: Don't leave people empty-handed
A wrong guess can still end on a good note. Show a friendly message and a small reward, like free shipping, so people still feel good about your brand. A link to your shop or your newest products turns the end of the game into a next step.
Tip #6: Send the data where you use it
Connect Scratcher to your email tool or CRM through our integrations, so new sign-ups get a welcome email right away. When the campaign ends, check where your players came from and which hints worked best.
Like guessing games? Try guess the word for a word challenge, or guess the result to let fans predict the score of a match.
