Smarter entries, not more entries.
Prize competitions sell the dream — we show you the numbers. Here's exactly how OddsHawk turns a wall of glossy draws into a ranked, honest comparison.
1. We track the draws
We sweep dozens of UK prize competition sites and pull every live draw into one place — the prize, ticket price, ticket cap, closing date and the small print.
2. We calculate single-ticket odds
When an operator publishes a ticket cap, we divide it by a single ticket. That gives the '1 in X' figure for a single ticket at a complete sell-out. When fewer tickets sell, your actual odds are usually better, though that depends on the operator's draw rules.
3. We score the value
Our Hawk Score compares the stated main-prize value with the operator's potential ticket revenue at a complete sell-out. 100 means the prize equals everything the draw could raise — higher scores mean the main prize is a bigger share of that revenue.
Two kinds of draw
Honesty first: we never guess odds. Every draw lands in one of two tabs.
Verified odds
The operator publishes a ticket cap, so we can state the single-ticket "1 in X" odds, show how many tickets are left, and score the draw's value.
Odds not published
No published cap means no honest odds. Rather than invent a number, we list these draws separately so you can judge them yourself.
What our odds do — and don't — mean
Our "1 in X" figure assumes every ticket in the published cap is sold and eligible, and that exactly one main-prize ticket is drawn. The reality of a specific draw can differ in several ways.
- Caps vs actual sales. We use the published ticket cap for a consistent, like-for-like comparison. If fewer tickets sell, your actual odds are usually better.
- Eligible tickets. Some operators draw only from sold tickets; others include unsold or unallocated numbers. Check the operator's rules for the draw you enter.
- Number of winners. Our figure covers the single main prize only — bonus prizes, runner-up spots and extra draws change the maths.
- Draw format. Random number generators, live draws, skill-question competitions and instant-win formats all behave differently. Instant-win funds are always displayed separately.
- Free entry routes. Most operators offer a free postal entry route. Our figures are based on paid tickets.
- Extensions and rollovers. Some draws extend or roll over when they undersell, which changes the picture — we show each operator's extension policy where we can verify it.
In short: treat "1 in 27" as a conservative comparison figure, not a guaranteed statistical probability for any individual draw.
The Hawk Score, in plain English
The Hawk Score compares the operator's stated main-prize value with their potential ticket revenue at a complete sell-out. It measures how large the main prize is relative to the money the draw could raise — nothing more.
Worked example: a £10,000 car with 10,000 tickets at £1.50 could raise £15,000 at a complete sell-out — a Hawk Score of 67, meaning the stated prize value is 67% of the operator's potential ticket revenue.
Higher scores mean the main prize represents a larger share of potential ticket revenue; lower scores mean a bigger operator margin. The score is not a prediction of your chance of winning or your expected financial return — it doesn't account for the probability of winning, additional prizes, or whether the prize is worth its stated value. Instant-win funds are shown separately and never counted towards the main prize, so bundles can't flatter the numbers.
Approx. values — how we price a prize with no price tag
Many prizes — a 2019 Golf R, a bundle of camping gear, a spa weekend — never come with a stated value. Rather than leave those draws unrankable, we research a fair UK market value and label it clearly.
How we estimate
- Vehicles: the current typical UK retail price for the exact model and year, cross-referenced against Auto Trader and major UK dealer and marketplace listings.
- Products & bundles: today's typical UK retail price across major UK retailers, with each bundle component priced individually and summed.
- Holidays & experiences: comparable UK package prices for the same destination, season and duration.
- Cash prizes: if the operator states the amount, we record it exactly — no estimate involved.
How you can tell
- Estimated figures are labelled "Approx. value" on the draw page and "Prize (approx.)" on cards.
- The Hawk Score badge shows an "est." marker whenever it's built from an estimated value.
- Estimates are deliberately conservative mid-market prices — the prize you'd actually receive may differ in spec, age or condition.
- If a prize is too vague to price honestly — a mystery prize, an unnamed model — we leave the value blank rather than invent one.
What we don't do
- We don't run or operate any draw — we're an independent guide.
- We never sell tickets or take payment for entries.
- No operator can pay for a better ranking or a 'verified' badge — those are earned by publishing their data.
Play sensibly
Prize competitions are paid entries — treat them as entertainment, not investment. Only spend what you're happy to lose, and keep an eye on the per-person ticket caps we show on every draw.
