Why Do Players Compare Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2?
Every time a South African buys a Lotto ticket at a retailer or on the Ithuba app, they are offered a choice: add Lotto Plus 1, Lotto Plus 2, or both. At R2.50 extra per board each, these add-on draws are among the best-value lottery upgrades available in South Africa — but only if you understand exactly what you are buying.
The question "which is better — Lotto Plus 1 or Lotto Plus 2?" is a common one, and the honest answer is more nuanced than most lottery sites admit. Both games are built on an identical 6/52 number matrix with the same jackpot odds of 1 in 20,358,520. So the differences are not about probability at all — they come down to prize pool size, ticket cost, jackpot build-up, and your personal playing budget.
This guide breaks down every angle so you can decide whether to add one Plus game, both, or neither.
How Both Games Work: A Clear Overview
Lotto Plus 1
Lotto Plus 2
Ticket Cost Breakdown
When you add the Plus games, you do not choose new numbers. Your original 6 Lotto numbers are automatically entered into the Plus 1 and Plus 2 draws. Each draw uses a completely independent ball machine, so each result is entirely separate from the others. One set of numbers can win in any or all three draws.
Key Differences Between Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2
Since both games use an identical 6/52 matrix, the meaningful differences are structural and financial — not mathematical. Here is what actually sets them apart:
| Factor | 🟣 Lotto Plus 1 | 🟢 Lotto Plus 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Additional cost | R2.50 extra per board | R2.50 extra per board (after Plus 1) |
| Can play independently? | Yes Advantage | No — requires Plus 1 |
| Prize pool size | Larger — more players enter Advantage | Smaller — fewer players enter |
| Typical jackpot size | Higher on average Advantage | Lower, but rolls over more often |
| Jackpot rollover frequency | Less frequent rollovers | More frequent rollovers — higher ceiling potential Advantage |
| Prize odds (all divisions) | Identical to Plus 2 | Identical to Plus 1 |
| Draw order | Second (after main Lotto) | Third (after Plus 1) |
| Split jackpot risk | Higher (more players) | Lower (fewer players) Advantage |
The single biggest practical difference is prize pool size. Because Plus 1 attracts more players (many players add only Plus 1 and not Plus 2), its prize pool is consistently larger. This results in higher typical jackpots for Plus 1. However, it also means the jackpot is won more frequently, limiting the size of rollovers.
Plus 2 has a smaller player base, which means two things: jackpots tend to start lower, but they also roll over more often before being won, occasionally building to surprisingly large sums. It also means there is a slightly lower chance of sharing the jackpot with another winner.
Detailed Odds Comparison: Are They Actually the Same?
Jackpot Odds — Identical by Design
The jackpot odds for Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2 are identical: 1 in 20,358,520. Both games use the exact same 6/52 number matrix as the main Lotto draw. The probability of matching all 6 balls in either Plus game is exactly the same.
This is the most important fact to understand: neither Plus game gives you better odds than the other. The combination count is C(52,6) = 20,358,520 for every draw — main Lotto, Plus 1, and Plus 2 alike. What differs is only the size of the prize you would collect if you won.
Odds of Winning Any Prize
| Game | Jackpot Odds | Any Prize Odds | Minimum Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🎱 Main Lotto | 1 in 20,358,520 | 1 in ~38 | ~R20 |
| 🟣 Lotto Plus 1 | 1 in 20,358,520 | 1 in ~38 | ~R20 |
| 🟢 Lotto Plus 2 | 1 in 20,358,520 | 1 in ~38 | ~R20 |
Full Division-by-Division Odds (Applies to All Three Games)
| Division | Match Required | Odds (1 in…) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Division 1 (Jackpot) | 6 balls | 20,358,520 | Identical across all 3 draws |
| Division 2 | 5 balls + bonus | 3,393,087 | Bonus ball drawn separately |
| Division 3 | 5 balls | 110,208 | |
| Division 4 | 4 balls + bonus | 32,028 | |
| Division 5 | 4 balls | 1,083 | |
| Division 6 | 3 balls + bonus | 812 | |
| Division 7 | 3 balls | 27 | Most commonly won prize |
| Division 8 | 2 balls + bonus | 62 | Minimum prize (~R20) |
Division 7 — matching any 3 of the 6 drawn balls — has odds of 1 in 27. This is the most realistic win in any of the three games. With a full R10.00 ticket (Lotto + Plus 1 + Plus 2), you get three independent chances at Division 7 — effectively improving your overall odds of winning at least a small prize on that ticket to roughly 1 in 9.
Full Side-by-Side Comparison Table
Everything you need to compare Lotto Plus 1 vs Lotto Plus 2 at a glance, based on official Ithuba game structures.
| Category | 🟣 Lotto Plus 1 | 🟢 Lotto Plus 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Additional cost | R2.50 per board | R2.50 per board |
| Total ticket cost (1 board) | R7.50 | R10.00 (incl. Plus 1) |
| Number matrix | 6/52 | 6/52 |
| Jackpot odds | 1 in 20,358,520 Tie | 1 in 20,358,520 Tie |
| Any prize odds | 1 in ~38 Tie | 1 in ~38 Tie |
| Prize divisions | 8 Tie | 8 Tie |
| Draw days | Wed & Sat Tie | Wed & Sat Tie |
| Avg. jackpot size | Higher Advantage | Lower, but rollover-dependent |
| Rollover jackpot potential | Moderate | Higher ceiling (rolls more) Advantage |
| Prize pool revenue | Larger (more players) | Smaller (fewer players) |
| Jackpot split risk | Slightly higher | Slightly lower Advantage |
| Can play standalone? | Yes Advantage | No — requires Plus 1 first |
| Tax on winnings | None (tax-free) Tie | None (tax-free) Tie |
| Winnings paid by | Ithuba Holdings Tie | Ithuba Holdings Tie |
| Claim period | 365 days Tie | 365 days Tie |
Prize Payouts and Real Winning Chances
Understanding how prizes are funded explains why Plus 1 and Plus 2 jackpots differ despite identical odds. Ithuba allocates a fixed percentage of each game's ticket revenue to that game's prize pool. Since Plus 1 attracts more participating boards than Plus 2, its absolute prize pool is larger — and the jackpot reflects that.
Typical Prize Ranges by Division
| Division | Odds | 🟣 Plus 1 Typical Prize | 🟢 Plus 2 Typical Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| Div 1 (Jackpot) | 1 in 20,358,520 | R3M – R30M+ | R1M – R15M+ |
| Div 2 | 1 in 3,393,087 | ~R100,000–R500,000 | ~R50,000–R250,000 |
| Div 3 | 1 in 110,208 | ~R5,000–R20,000 | ~R2,500–R10,000 |
| Div 4 | 1 in 32,028 | ~R1,000–R5,000 | ~R500–R2,500 |
| Div 5 | 1 in 1,083 | ~R100–R500 | ~R50–R250 |
| Div 6 | 1 in 812 | ~R50–R200 | ~R30–R100 |
| Div 7 | 1 in 27 | ~R20–R50 | ~R20–R40 |
| Div 8 | 1 in 62 | ~R20 | ~R20 |
Note: Prize amounts are pari-mutuel (shared among all winners in each division) and vary draw to draw. Figures above are indicative based on historical patterns.
Divisions 7 and 8 account for the overwhelming majority of all prizes paid out. Division 7 (match 3 balls, 1 in 27) is so achievable that a regular player buying one board per draw should expect to win Division 7 roughly once every 27 draws — around once every 3–4 months if playing twice a week. The prize is small (around R20–R50) but it is real money in your pocket.
Pros and Cons of Each Plus Game
Pros
- Lower entry cost (only R2.50 extra) — budget-friendly
- Can be added without Plus 2 — flexible
- Larger prize pool means bigger typical jackpots
- More prize money across all divisions on average
- Excellent value: doubles your jackpot chances for 50% more spend
- Widely popular — easy to track results
Cons
- More players means slightly higher jackpot split risk
- Jackpot won more frequently — limits massive rollover builds
- Lower tier prizes are pari-mutuel, so more winners = smaller shares
Pros
- Third independent jackpot chance for the same 6 numbers
- Smaller player base reduces jackpot split risk
- Jackpot rolls over more often — can build to large values
- Same R2.50 cost as Plus 1 — consistent pricing
- Identical odds to Plus 1 — no statistical downside
Cons
- Cannot be purchased without Plus 1 — requires R5.00 total extra
- Smaller prize pool means lower typical payouts across divisions
- Lower average jackpot at the time of winning
- Starting jackpots tend to be smaller than Plus 1
Which One Should You Play? An Honest Recommendation
Since the odds are mathematically identical, your choice should be based on your budget, your playing goal, and your appetite for prize size vs frequency. Here is a direct, honest breakdown:
🟣 Add Plus 1 if…
You want the best value upgrade for a modest extra spend. Adding only Plus 1 at R2.50 extra doubles your jackpot opportunities and taps into the larger prize pool. It is the single best-value lottery enhancement available in South Africa for budget-conscious players. See the latest Lotto Plus 1 results.
🟢 Add Plus 2 as well if…
Your budget comfortably covers the full R10.00 per board and you want three independent jackpot shots per number set. Plus 2 makes most sense when its jackpot has rolled over multiple times and is sitting significantly higher than usual — giving you better prize value for the same R2.50 spend. Track rollovers on our Lotto results page.
For most South African players, adding Lotto Plus 1 is the smartest upgrade to a standard Lotto ticket. It costs just R2.50 more, doubles your jackpot chances, and comes from the larger prize pool. Plus 2 adds real value when the budget allows or when its rollover jackpot is notably large. Neither game is a bad choice — but Plus 1 alone wins the value argument for players who need to make every Rand count.
Playing one R10.00 full board (Lotto + Plus 1 + Plus 2) every week for a year costs R520. Over that time you will play 104 draws per game — 312 draw entries in total. Your statistical probability of winning the jackpot at least once across all three games remains less than 0.0015%. Play for fun, within a sensible budget, and treat any win as a bonus.
Smart Playing Tips for Lotto Plus Games
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Add Plus 1 before Plus 2 — always
You cannot access Plus 2 without Plus 1. If your budget only allows for one add-on, Plus 1 is the right choice: larger prize pool, bigger average jackpot, and no mandatory link to a second game.
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Check the Plus 2 jackpot before deciding
If the Plus 2 jackpot has rolled over several times and is significantly larger than the Plus 1 jackpot, the R2.50 for Plus 2 becomes more valuable in that specific draw. Monitor current jackpots on our Lotto results history page.
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Use balanced number selections
Since the same numbers are used across all three draws, a balanced pick improves your coverage in every game simultaneously. Our Lotto prediction tool generates statistically balanced combinations informed by historical draw distributions.
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Track hot and cold numbers
While every draw is fully random, frequency analysis can help inform your number choices. Our Hot & Cold Number tracker shows you which balls have appeared most and least often across recent Lotto draws — useful background when selecting your 6 numbers.
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Always check all three games on your ticket
A common mistake is checking only the main Lotto draw and missing a Plus win. Use our free ticket checker to verify your numbers against the main Lotto, Plus 1, and Plus 2 results in one step — covering months of draws instantly. You have 365 days to claim.
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Try a system bet to boost lower division wins
A system bet covers multiple combinations of your chosen numbers across all three draws simultaneously. For example, a System 7 entry plays all 7 combinations of 7 numbers across every active draw on your ticket — including Plus 1 and Plus 2. Use our number generator to explore system bet options.