Every UK prize competition worth entering offers a free way in. At Nitrous it’s by post, and it’s a genuine route: postal entries go into exactly the same draw as paid ones. Here’s precisely how to do it — and the small mistakes that cost people their entry.
Why the free route exists
It means nobody ever has to pay to take part. A free entry has the same chance as a paid one, which keeps competitions open to everyone and is part of running them fairly and lawfully.
How to enter by post: step by step
- Get a postcard. Entries must be on a postcard, sent with 1st or 2nd class postage.
- Write the competition name you’re entering.
- Write the question and your answer — the same skill question shown on the competition page.
- Add your details so we can match the entry to you and contact you if you win (the exact details required are listed in our terms).
- Post it to: Nitrous Competitions, 12 The Close, Barwell, LE9 8AS.
- Send it early. It needs to arrive before the competition closes.
Always check the terms before posting, as they’re the official and most up-to-date instructions.
The rules that trip people up
| Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| One entry per postcard | Bulk submissions in one envelope aren't accepted |
| Postcard only | Letters and envelopes of entries don't count |
| Answer the question | A wrong or missing answer means no entry |
| Name the competition | We need to know which draw it's for |
| Arrive before closing | Late postcards miss the draw |
Please note we don’t notify you whether your answer was correct.
The equal value guarantee
Where a competition’s paid ticket price is lower than the cost of your stamp, your postal entry is credited with the number of entries your postage would have bought at that price (rounded down, and never fewer than one). So a free entrant is never at a disadvantage — both routes go into the same draw on equal terms.
Free entry vs paid entry
| Free postal entry | Paid online entry | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | A postcard and a stamp | The ticket price |
| Skill question | Required | Required |
| Same draw? | Yes | Yes |
| Equal chance? | Yes | Yes |
| Speed | Must arrive before closing | Instant |
After you’ve posted
Valid postal entries go into the draw alongside online entries. Main draws are live on draw night — watch on our live page — and the full entry list is published on the results page afterwards. If you win, the team contacts you directly.
New to competitions? Start with our guide to how UK prize competitions work, or see why the free route matters in prize competition vs prize draw vs raffle.
Pick a competition to enter. Browse the live competitions, watch a live draw or check past winners and entry lists. 18+ UK only. Please play responsibly — see our responsible play page.