Lotto Plus 1 & 2: Are They Worth the Extra Stake?
When you buy an SA Lotto ticket, you're offered Lotto Plus 1 (R5 extra) and Lotto Plus 2 (R5 extra). For R15 total, you get three draws with the same numbers. But are the extra draws worth it?
What Lotto Plus 1 offers
Lotto Plus 1 uses the same 6-from-52 format as SA Lotto, drawn at the same time. The jackpot is guaranteed at R1 million minimum. The odds are identical to regular Lotto — 1 in 20,358,520 for Division 1.
What Lotto Plus 2 offers
Lotto Plus 2 also uses the same format, with a guaranteed R600,000 minimum jackpot. Same odds as Lotto and Lotto Plus 1.
Expected value comparison
All three draws have the same odds. The difference is jackpot size: Lotto typically has R3M+ jackpots, Plus 1 has R1M minimum, Plus 2 has R600K minimum. If you're chasing the biggest possible prize, focus your R15 on regular Lotto. If you want more chances to win any prize, spread across all three.
The verdict
Lotto Plus 1 is good value if you want an extra draw with a decent jackpot. Lotto Plus 2 is harder to justify — the R600K jackpot is small relative to the R5 cost. Most experienced players play regular Lotto plus Lotto Plus 1, skipping Plus 2.
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