Playing the lottery is always a bit of a dream, isn't it? You pick your numbers, imagine what you’d do with the jackpot, and then wait for the draw. But what happens if you don't hit the big one, and only match a few numbers? Specifically, how much does Lotto pay for 2 numbers plus the bonus ball?

For the South African National Lottery, if you match two main numbers plus the bonus ball, you will receive a fixed payout of R20. This is a fixed prize, meaning it doesn't change based on the number of winners or the total prize pool, unlike the bigger jackpots. For Lotto Plus 1 and Lotto Plus 2, matching two numbers and the bonus ball also gives you a fixed prize, which is R15.

I remember one time I was so convinced my "lucky numbers" were going to hit big. I played a Quick Pick for the main Lotto draw and then manually chose some numbers for Lotto Plus 1 and 2. When I checked the results, I had matched two numbers and the bonus ball on my main Lotto ticket. It wasn't the millions I dreamt of, but seeing that R20 win felt like a small victory! It covered the cost of my ticket and bought me a cool drink. Every little bit counts, right?

Understanding Lotto Payouts

The South African National Lotto has several prize divisions, offering different payouts for various number combinations. To play Lotto, you select six numbers from 1 to 52. During the draw, six main numbers and an extra "Bonus Ball" are drawn. The Bonus Ball is important because it can boost your winnings in certain prize categories.

The prize money comes from a percentage of the ticket sales. For the higher prize divisions, the actual payout can vary from draw to draw because it's shared among all the winners in that division. However, for the lower prize tiers, like matching two numbers plus the bonus ball, the payout is usually a set amount. This makes it easier to know what to expect if you hit those smaller wins. You can find more details on how these payouts are generally structured by checking out our guide on How Does the Lotto Pay Out?.

It's pretty interesting to see how the odds stack up for different combinations. While winning the jackpot is tough (the odds for matching all six numbers in Lotto are 1 in 20,358,520), getting two numbers plus the bonus ball is much more likely. This small win is a common one and gives players a little something back. Just last month, my neighbour was telling me how he rarely plays, but decided to try his luck with a R5 ticket. He ended up getting R20 back for matching two and the bonus. He was chuffed because it felt like a free ticket for the next draw!

So, while R20 or R15 might not change your life, it's a nice little bonus that keeps the excitement of playing alive. It’s also a good way to get back what you spent on your ticket, giving you another chance to play.

Did you know you can also earn free airtime and vouchers that could help you play the lottery without dipping into your pocket? Check out the Points Castle App to see how you can get rewarded for everyday activities.