Zim can be hard, and it’s not every day that you wake up feeling lucky and hopeful, especially if you’re from Harare. There’s just no way to know if you’ll wake up to a new currency or a new interchange.

But we all want to make money, so I figured today is a good day to try the popular Aviator game I’d stumbled on while scrolling on Facebook. Also, my ZESA units were about to run out, and it was a Saturday, so I could afford to try my luck with my last two bucks.

It’s been 5 years since this fateful morning. I lost a lot, and I won a lot. I made mistakes and learnt from them. I now know what to do and what not to do.

Here’s my story…

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1. What is Aviator, and why is it Popular in Zimbabwe?

Aviator is an online betting game with a virtual plane. You place your bets, the plane takes off, and the goal is to cash out before it crashes. Multipliers start as 1x and increase as the plane “flies”.

If the plane flies off before you manage to cash out, Zvaendwa, you’re out of the money. But if you cash out just in time, you’re paid according to the current multiplier.

Simple, right? In fact, it’s so simple when I first saw the Aviator Ad, I thought it was one of those E-Creator ponzi schemes.

But I quickly realised it’s as legit as they come and is found on reliable betting sites like AfricaBet and Spin City. Plus, the game is provably fair. You can check if every round outcome is fair. I am Zimbo and trust no one, so I was happy to do this religiously.

You need mobile or desktop computer access to play the game. The fast play is exciting, and there’s potential for both big wins and losses.

2. My Early Mistakes: Learning the Hard Way 

I lost a lot in Zim Dollars during my first days with the game. Call it excitement, poor money management, emotional betting, or a combination of all three!

It took me a while to understand that Aviator isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme.

No, actually, it took this one dreadful day that I lost the money I intended to gift my cousin at her wedding. You know our family events where you reconnect with long-lost relatives after so long anotipa pressure.  Everyone wants to see what you’re doing with your life and if you’ve “made it”. So I needed money to look the part and give a meaningful gift.

My mistake was thinking I could triple my winnings if I could just hit those high Aviator multipliers. Though I was losing, I kept putting down even more money. Long story short? Ndakazoti vachati vandinyore pasi, ndovaona month end 😅😅😅.

3. Understanding the Game: Basics and Key Features 

Following this massive loss and humiliation, I spent two weeks playing Aviator in demo mode. I didn’t bet any real money, just observing.

Once you launch the game and place bets, the plane starts ascending, and a 1x multiplier appears. The multiplier increases as the plane keeps going up, and a round concludes when the plane flies off. The idea is to cash out before the crash.

You’re paid according to the multiplier at which you cash out.

This is probably a good place to highlight the Auto Cash Out function, which I found made a massive difference to my gameplay. It can be difficult to cash out just in time manually, so this feature does it for you.

I’ll admit, I only secured small wins with this strategy, but at least they were consistent. This discipline is better than risky betting any day, though, because you also don’t lose much.

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4. How I Play Now: The Three-Phase Approach 

After three months of practising Aviator in demo mode, I was ready to jump in and put my money on the line again. Only this time, I had a better understanding of the core game mechanics. I came up with this 3-step strategy to increase my winning chances. I like to call it my “Tora Mari Strategy”, as I focus on taking any amount, even cents.

Phase 1: Mushika-shika Morning

Here, I play 10-20 quick rounds and cash out early. The goal is to get a bit ahead, so I can play riskier in later rounds.

Phase 2: Heavy Lunch

Here, I’m rocking the middle ground. Trying my luck, yet still being cautious.

Phase 3: Break the Bank

In the later rounds, I’m genuinely trying my luck. I can let the plane fly as much as 20x some days, but I generally stick to 5x and below.

I deliberately use this strategy to pace my betting and keep my bankroll in check. On this day, I would have told myself not to spend more than 50 bucks on the game. But then again, it’s not about throwing around figures. You must stick to the plan.

5. My Biggest Win (and What I Did Right Afterwards) 

May 6, 2022, is a day I’ll never forget. Lodza, my best friend, anga adzosa chikwereti, so I was $100 richer.

Quite frankly, I didn’t expect that money to come back, so I figured I’d use it to make more. Huslter Math 101.

I went straight to phase 3 of my strategy—The Evening Hustle. After placing bets, the multiplier started rising. I didn’t use Auto bet this time. I bet $10 and, in the third round, left the multiplier rising and cashed out as soon as it hit 80x. Just like that, my $100 became $800!

I immediately headed to the nearest Econet agent. I cashed out $750 and left $50 to play as per my regular strategy. The lesson here is to never play with all your profits after a big win.

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6. Bankroll Management: The Real Secret 

When playing Aviator, I can’t stress the importance of bankroll management enough. This is what my current bankroll system looks like.

It’s important to set a daily limit. For example, I tell myself to stop after I lose $20 or make $100 in profit. Mind you, setting a daily limit isn’t a suggestion. It’s the only way you avoid going bankrupt. Even so, setting limits is the easy part. You need to stick to the limits—no exceptions.

Tracking your results is equally important. You can use a notebook, but a phone app works too. I pen down my starting and finishing balance each day. Writing this data helped me see the times I experienced my winning streaks, which is usually around 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

7. The Dark Side: Losing Streaks and Recovery 

No one tells you about the endless losing streaks that come with the game, so I will. Hazvina chibhoyi mukati, it’s just the nature of gambling. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.

I remember sometime last year, I recorded 11 consecutive losing sessions playing Aviator. I was this close to downgrading my phone and ploughing that money back. Thankfully, one of my friends who started playing around the same time as me reminded me to go back to basics.

I immediately took a break from gambling for that day to avoid placing emotional wagers. The next day, I adjusted my strategy and started placing small bets.  After excessive emotional control and discipline, I managed to recover a bit at first, then more in the next few days. I appreciated then that losing is inevitable and survival depends on discipline, not luck.

8. Daily Routine for Success 

I gave up approaching Aviator randomly years ago. Now, I have a routine I stick to that ensures I maximise my earnings and enjoy my sessions.

Morning (9 AM)

I start by checking my tracking notes to see how I played yesterday, including my wins, losses, etc.

Pre-Game (9.10 AM)

I set aside the amount I want to use to play Aviator for the day. I also use this time to set my daily loss and profit limits.

Start Session (9:30 AM to 10:30 AM)

I generally stick to my Tora-Mari strategy. Start slow, heat up in the middle, and try shooting for the stars.

Midday Break

I take a break from the game and focus on my real hustle.

Evening Review (8 PM)

I take stock of the day and how my gaming sessions went, and update my notes.

9. Advanced Tips: Reading Patterns (with Caution) 

Aviator is as random as it gets. Outcomes are unpredictable, so following “secret patterns” to win is a myth.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s worth watching for player behaviour patterns. You can assess these patterns to figure out busy times, chat activity, and make appropriate decisions. For example, I noticed that high chat activity usually precedes a volatile phase. Also, it’s wise to use a conservative approach if there are many recent crashes below 2x.

But more importantly, I usually use these patterns to help with my own betting discipline and timing.

10. Is Aviator Profitable? The Honest Truth 

I’m not here to sell you lies. So, I won’t promise that you’ll be able to purchase a brand-new Ford Raptor by playing Aviator.

Personally, besides that $800 whirlwind, I typically make $300 in profits in a good month. That said, it’s best to treat the game as entertainment, not an additional stream of income. You’ll enjoy the game more that way if you adopt this rational approach.

Only play it when you enjoy the challenge it brings, and if you can afford to lose without filing for bankruptcy. The moment you start taking Chimbadzo to play Aviator, you’re treading in dangerous territory.

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11. Common Mistakes to Avoid 

I’m going into 5 years now playing Aviator, so it’s safe to say I’m in a position to give you pointers on what to avoid:

12. Conclusion: My Advice for Zimbabwean Players 

After 5 years of playing Aviator and pocketing winnings of almost $10,000, I can tell you that playing responsibly is your biggest weapon. Set budgets and limits and stick to them. Above all, make sure you treat Aviator as a recreational game that you play strictly for fun. It certainly won’t be the game to take you from Chitown to Borrowdale Brooke.

That said, I wish you safe and enjoyable gaming. Happy playing!

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