It is even worse when the entire team is dismissed for 99.
But Otago will have to live with another dismal innings in which the side dipped under three figures.
Compounding a miserable day for the home side, Central Districts smashed 217 for nine and won by a colossal 118 runs at Queens Park in Invercargill.
It is the third time this season the Volts have lost a twenty20 match by more than 100 runs - a huge margin in the game's shortest format.
In eight completed games, Otago has just one win and is firmly rooted to the bottom of the competition standings.
There have been some high-profile victims during the campaign. Former internationals Jimmy Neesham and Mark Craig have been dropped from the side, while Neil Broom, Hamish Rutherford and Neil Wagner have also spent time on the sideline.
The Volts probably switched focus from the T20 campaign to the one-day tournament, in which the team is well placed, after dropping both games at Molyneux Park late last month.
Opportunity has been the catchcry and the likes of Michael Rae and Matt Bacon have come into the team and made a difference with the ball.
Rae took three for 31 and Bacon four for 31. Both can feel aggrieved that such excellent performances was not rewarded with a win for the team.
Bacon struck in the opening over, removing the dangerous Jesse Ryder for six. He bowled the last over as well and it was a good one - he picked up another two wickets.
Central Districts pretty much won all the overs in between, though. Christian Leopard blazed 52 from 22 balls in a devastating partnership with Will Young.
The pair added 83 in just under seven overs. Young went on to top-score with 79 from 43.
When Leopard holed out, Tom Bruce took up the cudgels and whacked 42 from 24 deliveries.
Rae struck back taking three quick wickets but the Volts were already facing a huge chase by then.
Otago needed a good start but lost Rob Nicol for 15 when he got an edge to third man.
Shawn Hicks, who has been enjoying some good form, was bowled second ball by Seth Rance (three for 15). It was a terrific yorker and sent his off stump cartwheeling.
The Volts have struggled to put meaningful partnerships together during the campaign and were not able to reverse that trend.
Llew Johnson (five), Anaru Kitchen (five) and Derek de Boorder (three) could not get going, and when Rutherford was out for 21 from 12 the cause was lost.
Michael Rippon staged some forlorn resistance with 22 from 14 but Rance finished the game in style with a lovely inswinger to bowl Rae.
Otago's final T20 match is against Auckland at Eden Park Outer Oval on Sunday.
