Lucky Numbers dream guide
A list that maps a dream symbol to a number. Traditional FAFI 1 to 36 plus the extra UK 49s symbols 37 to 49. Use it as a fun pick method, not a strategy.
How Lucky Numbers betting worksA Lucky Numbers dream guide is a list that maps a dream symbol to a number. The tradition comes from FAFI, the South African street level numbers game with roots in the early 1900s Cape Town Chinese community. Players still use it today to pick numbers for FAFI, UK 49s and the Daily Lotto. This page lists the full traditional set of 36 FAFI numbers, plus a wider table of common dream symbols people use on UK 49s.
Honesty note. A dream guide is folk knowledge, not a prediction system. The numbers are traditional, not chosen by maths. Every Lucky Numbers draw is random. Use the guide as a fun pick method, not a strategy.
What is a dream guide?
The idea is simple. You wake up, you remember what you dreamed about, you look up the symbol on the list, and you play that number on your next Lucky Numbers ticket. A dream of a snake gets you the snake number. A dream of money gets you the money number. The mapping does not change between players, so two people who both dream of a tiger play the same number.
The list runs from 1 to 36 because the original FAFI game uses 36 symbols. UK 49s and Daily Lotto use bigger ranges (1 to 49 and 1 to 36 respectively), so for UK 49s players add common dream mappings up to 49 by community tradition.
Traditional FAFI dream guide, 1 to 36
The most widely used FAFI list. Some communities run small variations, so if your guide differs, that is normal. Both can be right by tradition.
| Number | Traditional symbol | Common dream that triggers it |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The King | Dreams of a king, ruler or someone in authority |
| 2 | Monkey or money | Dreams of a monkey, or finding money |
| 3 | Sea water | Dreams of the sea, ocean, big waves |
| 4 | Dead man | Dreams of a male relative who has passed |
| 5 | Tiger | Dreams of a tiger or large striped cat |
| 6 | Cow or ox | Dreams of cattle or grazing animals |
| 7 | House on fire | Dreams of a burning house |
| 8 | Pig | Dreams of a pig or eating pork |
| 9 | Moon | Dreams of the moon, night sky |
| 10 | Eggs | Dreams of cracking, finding or eating eggs |
| 11 | Carriage | Dreams of an old cart, carriage or wagon |
| 12 | Dead woman | Dreams of a female relative who has passed |
| 13 | Big fish | Dreams of a big fish, catching one |
| 14 | Old man | Dreams of an old man, a grandfather |
| 15 | Bad woman | Dreams of arguments, an angry woman |
| 16 | Pigeon | Dreams of pigeons or doves |
| 17 | Diamond ring | Dreams of a ring, jewellery, marriage |
| 18 | Silver money | Dreams of coins, silver or small change |
| 19 | Small fish | Dreams of small fish, a pond, a school of fish |
| 20 | Cat | Dreams of a cat, especially a black cat |
| 21 | Woman of the night | Dreams of a stranger woman or shame |
| 22 | Elephant | Dreams of an elephant or large animal |
| 23 | Big house | Dreams of a mansion or a new home |
| 24 | Mouth | Dreams of teeth, kissing or eating |
| 25 | Big sea | Dreams of swimming in deep water |
| 26 | Bee | Dreams of bees, a hive, honey |
| 27 | Frog | Dreams of frogs, a pond, croaking |
| 28 | Small boy | Dreams of a young boy, a son |
| 29 | Small water | Dreams of a small stream or a rain shower |
| 30 | Prawn or crab | Dreams of prawns, crabs, shellfish |
| 31 | Fire | Dreams of an open flame or candles |
| 32 | Wild horse | Dreams of a horse, a stallion, racing |
| 33 | Beautiful woman | Dreams of a beautiful or kind woman |
| 34 | Meat | Dreams of eating meat or a feast |
| 35 | Big snake | Dreams of a snake, especially one biting |
| 36 | Big bird | Dreams of an eagle, owl or large bird |
Extra dream symbols for UK 49s, 37 to 49
UK 49s and Daily Lotto use ranges past 36, so the community has filled in the gaps. These are not official FAFI tradition. They are common SA additions.
| Number | Symbol | Common dream |
|---|---|---|
| 37 | Small bird | Sparrow, finch, songbird |
| 38 | Sheep or goat | A flock, a kraal |
| 39 | Mountain | Climbing a mountain |
| 40 | Stars | Stars or the night sky |
| 41 | Wedding | Attending or seeing a wedding |
| 42 | Soldier | Police, army or a uniform |
| 43 | Suitcase | Travel or moving home |
| 44 | Dog | Dreams of a dog, especially friendly |
| 45 | Storm | Wind, lightning, heavy rain |
| 46 | Garden | A garden or flowers |
| 47 | Bus or taxi | Public transport, a taxi rank |
| 48 | Footballer | A football match, scoring a goal |
| 49 | Wise person | An elder, teacher or pastor |
How to use the dream guide on a real ticket
Note the dream you remember in the morning. Pick the symbol from the table that matches it. Play the matching number on your next Lucky Numbers ticket. Many players also combine the dream number with one or two personal lucky numbers (birthday, anniversary, jersey number) so they have a small set to play across the week.
If you dream more than one symbol, play more than one number. SA bookies will let you mark several numbers on a single Lucky Numbers slip and pay out at fixed odds on each.
Lucky Numbers markets that accept this guide
Most SA licensed bookies carry Lucky Numbers markets on UK 49s, FAFI and the local lotteries. The bookies we have tested for SA Lucky Numbers coverage include Hollywoodbets and YesPlay. Both publish odds on every draw and pay out at fixed odds, not on a shared jackpot.
For the full picture of SA bookies and what they price each day, see the SA sportsbook shortlist.
Where the FAFI dream guide comes from
FAFI started in early 1900s Cape Town. Chinese immigrants ran a small numbers game using a set of 36 symbols. The game spread into the Coloured and Black communities and the symbols mixed with local dream tradition. By the 1950s the FAFI dream guide was a stable list that people used to pick numbers for the street numbers game.
Street FAFI is illegal in SA today, but the dream guide tradition lives on through licensed Lucky Numbers betting at SA bookies. You play UK 49s, FAFI and Daily Lotto through the bookie, and the dream guide gives you a traditional way to pick numbers without using maths.
Important honesty note
The dream guide is tradition, not prediction. Every Lucky Numbers, UK 49s and Daily Lotto draw is random. The mapping of dream symbol to number does not change the odds. Use the guide as a fun pick method and a way to connect with SA tradition, not as a strategy.
Bet small. Set a daily limit. If betting stops being fun, the South African National Responsible Gambling Programme runs a free helpline on 0800 006 008.
Dream guide FAQ
Is the dream guide a real prediction system?
No. It is folk knowledge from FAFI tradition, not a maths-based prediction. Every Lucky Numbers, UK 49s and Daily Lotto draw is random. The guide is a fun pick method, not a strategy.
Are the FAFI numbers the same everywhere in SA?
Most communities use the same core 1 to 36 list, but small variations exist. If your dream guide differs from the one above, both can be “right” by tradition. There is no single official version.
Where can I bet Lucky Numbers in SA?
Licensed SA bookies that carry Lucky Numbers markets include Hollywoodbets and YesPlay. They take UK 49s, FAFI and other Lucky Numbers draws. See the SA sportsbook shortlist for the full list of reviewed operators.
What is the difference between Lotto and Lucky Numbers?
Lotto is a fixed jackpot draw run by Ithuba. Lucky Numbers is a bookie market where you bet on what numbers WILL be drawn in named lotteries (most often UK 49s). The maths is different, the payout is fixed by the bookie, not split with other ticket holders.
How do I pick numbers from this guide?
Note the dream symbol from the night before. Find the matching number in the table above. Play that number on your next ticket. Many players also combine a dream number with their lucky personal number (birthday, anniversary).
Can I play UK 49s if I dreamed a number above 36?
Yes. The 37 to 49 list at the bottom of this page covers the wider UK 49s draw. The mappings are community tradition, not official FAFI.
Is FAFI legal in SA?
Street FAFI is illegal. Licensed Lucky Numbers betting through a regulated SA bookie like Hollywoodbets is legal. The dream symbols come from FAFI tradition but you bet through the licensed bookie, not on the street.
