Here is a short keno glossary with all the keno definitions you'll need to know to understand keno and sound like a pro. Don't worry beginners—our keno definitions are written so that even complete newbies will catch on fast.
All or Nothing – This describes a keno board on which either all or none of the selected numbers are drawn.
Bet – The amount of money bet on the game.
Call – The act of calling the keno numbers is described as “call”.
Caller – The person (if there is one) who calls out the numbers during the draw in a keno game.
Catch – If one player’s spot is drawn, it is called a catch.
Catch-All – A keno game that requires a player catch all of the numbers marked on his ticket.
Catch-Zero – A keno game that requires a player catch none of the numbers marked on his ticket.
Combination Ticket – A single ticket with several different keno wagers placed on it.
Deuce – Keno slang for two keno spots grouped together.
Draw – The complete act of drawing the 20 winning numbers.
Edge Ticket – A ticket on which all 32 numbers on its outer edge are marked.
Enhanced Payoff – The increased payout ratio received when playing a combination of games on a single ticket. This is more lucrative than playing the same number of single tickets.
Exacta – A ticket played for two games. Exactas have a special payoff rate.
Fractional Rate Ticket – A ticket played for some fraction of the normal rate.
Free Play – A keno win that pays out no money, but allows you to play your bet again.
Goose – Keno slang for the machine that assists in keno number draw.
Group – Spots that are circled or separated from the other spots marked on a keno ticket.
High End Ticket – A keno ticket that pays more for catching a high number of spots, but less or nothing for catching fewer spots.
High Roller Ticket – A ticket that has a high minimum ticket price.
Hit – A drawn number that matches a selected spot. Same as the catch.
Inside Ticket – A keno ticket turned in to the casino after it has been completed.
Jackpot – The total amount of money to be won or the additional amount of money that can be won (in comparison to a regular payout game) in a progressive game.
King – Keno slang for a single spot that works with other numbers to make a bet or way.
King Ticket – A way ticket that contains one or more kings.
Left-Right Ticket – A ticket marked vertically down the center. The goal is to catch only numbers on one half of the ticket or respectively none of the numbers on other half.
Multi Game Keno Ticket – A ticket played in multiple keno games.
Newbie – A new player; usually one that doesn't understand keno yet.
Outside Ticket – The official game ticket received in exchange for your hand marked ticket and your bet.
Pattern – The shape made by the collective marks on a keno ticket or the lights on a keno flashboard.
Pay Any Catch Ticket – A keno ticket that pays, no matter how many spots caught or missed.
Push – A win equal to the amount wagered.
Quick Pick – A ticket with random marked numbers randomly selected by the keno computer.
Quit Race – Cashing a multi game ticket before all games have been played.
Race – A single keno game is called a race. These keno terms originate from when the game was called “Race Horse Keno”.
Rate Card – An informational card provided to players by the casino that displays payoffs for various bets.
Regular Ticket – The standard ticket sold by a casino.
Replayed Ticket – A ticket returned to the game in order to replay the numbers.
Special Rate – A rate different than the regular ticket rate; does not always indicate a better deal for players.
Split Ticket – Two or more groups of numbers played separately on the same ticket.
Spot – The selected numbers marked on a keno ticket. One of the original keno terms.
Straight Ticket – The standard ticket sold by a casino. Same as regular ticket.
Top-Bottom Ticket – A ticket marked horizontally across the center. The object is to catch only numbers on one half of the ticket or no numbers at all on the other half.
Way – A separate bet on a ticket with more than one bet.
Way Ticket – A ticket with two or more bets.
Please come back and use this keno glossary whenever you need keno definitions for new words. The quickest way to understand keno as a whole is to understand its terms. Play to win and have fun!