Keno games are perhaps the most relaxing of casino games. Learning how to play keno requires very little effort. The rules of keno do not require incisive reasoning or science and easy to recall and understand. Similar to state-run lotteries, the rules of keno are comprised of number selection, a drawing and results.
In recent years, keno games have enjoyed a renaissance in brick and mortar casinos. For younger casino patrons, it is now quite fashionable to play this “vintage” game. There is nearly always a crowd at the keno table and a noticeable camaraderie can be felt amongst players.
But keno isn't only popular at casinos; it is now a popular party game and many restaurants and bars host keno night. Because the game is so hot, an online version of it exists and numerous players keep the game going 24 hours a day. Learning how to play keno gives you an automatic into several social settings.
Keno Cards
The below image represents a standard keno card. It includes numbers ranging from 1 to 80 in 10 columns and 8 rows.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 |
|
KENO CARD |
|||||||||
| 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 |
| 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 |
| 61 | 62 | 63 | 64 | 65 | 66 | 67 | 68 | 69 | 70 |
| 71 | 72 | 73 | 74 | 75 | 76 | 77 | 78 | 79 | 80 |
How to Play Keno
The rules of keno are obvious and easy to learn. Keno is played with keno cards or tickets. Each ticket displays the numbers from 1 to 80. The numbers on the tickets correspond to the numbers on ping-pong balls inserted in an aerated machine on the keno table. The keno machine selects a random twenty balls from the eighty in the machine.
Players pre-select 20 numbers and mark them on their keno cards. They then determine how much money they would like to wager and how many games they would like to play. This should be displayed on the blank space furnished on the ticket. Tickets are then given to a runner who issues an electronic ticket in return.
It is vital that players give their ticket(s) to the runner since the payments due the winners hinge on the numbers inserted into the computers.
Next, the house draws 20 numbers randomly, generally picking out balls from a bin or utilizing computer software known as Random Number Generator (RNG). If the numbers the house selects match the numbers on a player’s ticket, (s)he wins.
The amount of prize money depends on how many numbers are matched. If your ticket has the winning numbers, make certain to get hold of the runner and get your profit.
All casinos provide standard keno tickets in addition to some specialized tickets; you have the choice to purchase whichever one you wish.
Keno Strategy
You may wonder what strategy could exist for a game that appears to rest entirely on chance and requires next to no analytical thinking. Though it is largely a game of luck, your wins still hinge on the numbers you select. No clear winning strategy exists; however, adhering to a few simple keno rules can easily increase your likelihood of winning.
Keno’s popularity has grown so much that numerous online versions of the game are available. You will be able to use many of the below keno strategies while playing online keno.
- Watch the numbers that are announced during the game. Check the keno board frequently. You may bet on numbers that have not been announced even after the keno game commences. The importance of wagering on numbers that have not been announced is rooted in the law of averages. With each draw, the number of possible draws decreases. A number whose draw odds were 1 in 80 when the race began are 1 in 70 after the first 10 numbers are drawn.
- A different strategy is to select the numbers that appear to have been occurring most often. You might discover that a few numbers keep cropping up in almost every game. Gaming experts agree; streaks happen. Tag a number when it’s hot and you may hit it big. You could just as well pick out the same arrangement of numbers each game, as you are sure to get ahead at some time.
- Perhaps the most important keno strategy is to simply enjoy your keno games. The fundamental idea behind gambling is to have fun. Don't waste time worrying about what numbers to select. Just pick a few of your lucky numbers and let the keno board do the rest!
Odds in Keno
Keno rules are very easy to learn. Players simply check their numbers against the numbers selected by the house. It’s the casino advantage, which is typically quite steep, that sneaks up on players.
Keno games carry many different odds. In order to interpret these odds, it is crucial to understand the process behind playing the game. The game allows for eighty balls, each numbered between 1 and 80. During the game, the house draws twenty balls at random and displays their numbers on the computerized boards or the video screens known as “keno boards”. The results of the draw are also recorded on other video screens that are stationed throughout the casino floor.
Some keno players attempt to increase their likelihood of winning by betting as many numbers as possible as inexpensively as possible. This is unwise. The biggest mistake a player can make is playing too many numbers at a time. A simple fact always holds true—keno odds remain the same no matter which numbers or how many are bet. The house advantage and payoffs remain constant regardless of home many numbers you hit.
Keno payoffs (in comparison to bingo and lotteries) turn on the aggregate number of tickets purchased in every game. In a few instances, the keno payoff is less than the betting odds exhibited. A few keno probabilities are displayed below.
|
1 selected number |
3 to 1 |
|
2 |
15.63 to 1 |
|
3 |
71.07 to 1 |
|
4 |
325 to 1 |
|
5 |
1,549 to 1 |
|
6 |
7,752 to 1 |
|
7 |
40,878 to 1 |
|
8 |
230,114 to 1 |
|
9 |
1,389,686 to 1 |
|
10 |
8,911,702 to 1 |
Sometimes an extra payoff exists for specific numbers. In nearly all of the casinos, zero is the bonus number. Where there is an option to bet the bonus number, do it. This is the most effective means of building a keno bankroll.
Keno Betting
The benefit of keno is that though the size of the jackpot may be large, winning it does not rest on the amount of money wagered. If you have put down a single dollar on keno, you have a chance at winning $10,000.
Learning the bets is usually the hardest part of learning the rules of keno. Indeed, there are various keno bets, including straight bets and way bets. These bets are the most elementary and most familiar bets. Other bets provide players the option of selecting the size of the wager, whether small or large. These different betting formats make keno a game that everyone, from high-rollers to casual players, can enjoy.
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- Straight Bets
Straight bets allow players to select single keno numbers on which to wager. Players may select up to fifteen numbers in a single game, against which the house draws 20. A few internet casinos permit wagering on as many as forty numbers. The lowest allowable bet is $1.
- Straight Bets
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- Way BetsWay bets are keno bets in which players wager on several groups of numbers within the same keno game. Many believe way bets are among the most complicated keno bets because players must pick assorted combinations of numbers from preferred groups of numbers. With the involved calculations required, many find it difficult to track their selections. But way bets do have an advantage. They have a greater opportunity of yielding small, consistent wins (as opposed to straight bets that often give up nothing).
- Split Bets
The split keno bet is another favorite. Here, you can mark multiple groups of numbers within the same keno game. The groups of numbers selected are delineated by a line or circle. Players who wager $2 on each group carry a $4 total bet.
- Combination Bets & King Numbers
A combination keno bet involves combining various straight bets on one ticket in contrasting styles. Each expected combination will cost the player one full betting unit. A king keno bet is simply a twist on the way bet. The difference between the two is that the latter requires the player to choose one or more of his selected numbers to be king numbers.
The more keno bets you know, the higher your odds of beating keno. Online casino keno is typically more profitable than playing in land casinos, as the payout percentages are often higher and the opportunities to win substantial jackpots are more plentiful.
Playing Tips
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- Prepare a budget prior to playing any casino game. Set aside enough cash to stay in the game for the length of time you prefer—whether one race or two days. And we can’t stress this enough….Stick to your budget!
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- If you're unaccustomed to the game, begin by making bets in lesser increments.
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- Distribute your bets amongst all available keno numbers (1-80).
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- You might also prefer the “Stray and Play” ticket, which allows you to select numbers for 30 games in advance.
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- Select preferred numbers and bet with them regularly. This removes the buyer’s remorse aspect of the game (i.e. when you’ve played a number for years and on the day you change gears, it hits the jackpot).
Hold on to your keno receipt. After choosing your numbers, you can unwind in a snug keno booth and watch the selections unfold on a huge video screen. Its monitor displays the winning numbers. Winners must have hold marked cards as proof and must deliver their tickets to the keno booth to cash in.
Game Reminders
Learning how to play keno is the first necessary step to enjoying the game. Just remember, keno isn't just about winning or losing; it’s about having fun. The keno rules are simple for a reason; don’t take the game too seriously. Bet within your means. We guarantee that after a few games, you’ll be a keno convert!