Keno Odds & Probabilities

Keno is a game of numbers making keno probabilities and odds a regular and unchangeable part of the game. Keno math doesn't have to give you headaches though; when you understand the number, figuring your odds of winning can actually be quite simple. For example, assuming that a standard keno game has eighty numbers and the player chooses five, there is a 27% chance of all five numbers being drawn. Conversely, there is a 22.7% chance that none of the five numbers will be drawn.

Keno is a game of numbers making keno probabilities and odds a regular and unchangeable part of the game. Keno math doesn't have to give you headaches though; when you understand the number, figuring your odds of winning can actually be quite simple. For example, assuming that a standard keno game has eighty numbers and the player chooses five, there is a 27% chance of all five numbers being drawn. Conversely, there is a 22.7% chance that none of the five numbers will be drawn. Because different hit combinations offer different payouts, the odds of keno and winning keno are closely related.

It is important to remember that five number bets have a slightly higher chance of winning than losing. Over the long run, a five number bet with standard keno odds will be the most profitable way for a long-term player to use keno probabilities to their advantage. Ultimately winning keno is all about using the keno math to your advantage.

Some keno players want to play for the big jackpots offered at most casinos. In order to be eligible to hit the largest jackpots, keno players have to play a higher stakes game and that generally means competing against the poorest of keno probabilities. Players may be required by casino rules to match as many as fourteen numbers. With so many numbers selected, there is a decent chance that a few of the number will be drawn but the odds of keno players hitting the highest combination are extremely low. That's why the payout is so high! In fact, as a general rule of keno math, the worse your odds of hitting a combination are, the better the payout is.

The odds of keno on fourteen number bets provide for a 2% chance of matching seven of the numbers selected. Often times, matching only a few numbers will yield a payout, even if the payout is not as large as the major jackpot. Yet again this makes playing the bets backed by the best keno probabilities your safest strategy.

Players with their eyes on the jackpot, however, beware. The probability of successfully matching 14 numbers to the casino is around 1 in 389 million. In other words, winning keno jackpots is close to impossible. When we talk about “keno probabilities” these are the numbers players should consider. When you hear “probability” think “probably.” If the probability is good, then you will probably win. When the probability is bad, then you will probably not. When it comes to hitting the jackpot combination on your keno card, you're almost as likely to hit none of your numbers, which is why that combination also pays so well.

Because the keno odds against hitting the highest jackpot are so poor, players would be wise to focus on smaller goals. Walking away from the game with some money in your pocket doesn’t always require matching every number drawn. Five number bets, though not as exciting as fourteen number bets, have significantly better keno odds. You're still playing the same game and still get to experience the tension and anticipation but with better odds of winning and much smaller long-term losses.

Many gamblers choose games like keno because they enjoy the luck aspect. For them figuring the odds is just an unnecessary distraction, but remember that playing conservatively will ensure that you can spend more time playing, without losing all of your money.