Whether it’s better to manually choose numbers or use the automatic quick pick function on sites and apps when entering the lottery is an age-old debate among South Africans.
There are pros and cons to both sides of the argument, but it’s probably best to look to real-life references when considering the merits of random number generators.
In March 2021, a Limpopo father won R43 million via the quick pick functionality on his banking app. “This is honestly something I never expected. I will save a portion of my winnings to be able to give my children the opportunity to go to university one day and make their dreams become a reality,” he enthused. In July 2020, a KwaZulu-Natal resident walked off with a whopping R153 million.
His numbers, too, were generated automatically rather than manually. “My partner and I are not regular lottery players, but my in-laws keep track of all lottery jackpots and always encourage us to play,” exclaimed the KZN victor. “My in-laws basically sold us the idea of being millionaires, telling us about the attractive jackpot.
We decided to play on my banking app, using a quick pick selection method and playing for 10 draws with R300.” Lottery representative Charmaine Mabuza’s insistence that, “since 2015, R1.3 billion in winnings has been paid to banking channel winners”, is a statistical incentive for options such as quick pick rather than manual number selection.
“The partnership with banks provides our players with the convenience of playing lottery games from anywhere, any time on trusted platforms of their choice,” she added. However, there are also counterpoints for those who have won by going with their own numbers, rather than digits coughed up by a computer.
In May 2021, a man from Thornton, Cape Town, won R56 million this way. “I’ve been playing the same numbers since November last year. Each number represents a significant date in my life,” he stated. “We want to find the perfect plot of land to build our dream home and finally, to invest a significant portion of our winnings. My wife and I are financially cautious people and we want to educate our kids about financial literacy.”
In August 2020, an entrepreneur from Gauteng almost changed his approach, but instead stuck with the same numbers he had become largely comfortable with. The choice to remain firm and not go for a quick pick reaped a reward to the tune of R38 million. “I wanted to play the quick pick selection because I thought I have been playing the same numbers for years and the maximum amount I have won was R1,200,” he recalled.
“I thought maybe it’s time I changed my playing strategy. I asked the cashier for a quick pick selection, but before I gave her the money, my gut told me that today might be the day I strike it lucky and opted to play the same numbers manually. “As I was checking the numbers, I realised that these are some of the numbers I usually play. It was only after the fifth number that my heart began racing and I realised I might be the jackpot winner.”
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