Keno

Why is keno so age-old and widely played? Well, for starters, this lottery-style game is rather simple to grasp and won’t require advanced tactics to win. Due to its simplicity and the fact that it’s fun to play, keno is available in almost every casino, particularly land-based ones, and increasingly online.

As a lottery game, you can win an attractive €10,000,000 jackpot on as low as €2 ticket! But you’ll have to be extremely lucky to do that. Keno is purely a game of chance that depends on the Random Number Generator (RNG) to draw numbers electronically. In essence, there is no foolproof strategy for guaranteed wins.

However, playing smart can be what you need to increase your chances and keep your bankroll growing. If you are outright new to this game, the best you can do is understand the basics first before betting with real cash. This guide gives you complete info on how to play keno, the best keno strategy, and casts light on all of the essential information you need to master this casino game.

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How to Play Keno

Keno is often compared to bingo and lotto games, so players who are familiar with these two games can play it without having to undergo a big learning curve. However, to play this game, one has to understand the rules that are unique to it. The most distinctive feature about the game is that it is possible to win some online keno games by losing. More on that later…first, let’s go through some of the basics.

Choosing Keno Numbers

In brick and mortar casinos, you typically receive keno cards before you start the game. These cards usually have 80 numbers separated in eight rows with a split in the middle. The online version of keno is pretty similar; before placing a bet, you are normally allowed to see the numbers first.

During the first half of the game, there will be all the numbers from 1 to 40, and in the second half, the remainder of the numbers from 41 to 80. Of course, like most games in casinos, there will be variations of the game. Some casinos offer keno games with 70 numbers. Like in bingo or lotto, you will have a chance to select several numbers.

Depending on the casino, the range of selected numbers can vary between one and 20 per ticket. There are online casinos that allow about four numbers, and there are those that can allow 10, and some even 20. When you receive the ticket, your objective is to select your lucky number, or numbers that you think will be drawn as winners.

Determining Keno Winners

The game of keno pays out in percentages, so the more numbers you guess correctly, the more you win. In mobile casinos, the payout will register automatically on your screen, but in land-based casinos you will have to show the dealer your slip to determine your win.

For instance, if the casino winning numbers range is five, to win the game, you’ll need to hit at least three of the drawn numbers. If you hit three, you get some percentage of the prize; if you score four, you get more cash; and if you smash five, you win the entire jackpot.

You don’t have to feel pressured or get flustered about which numbers to pick. The outcome in keno is utterly random, and there’s no way for sure to predict the exact winning numbers. This is a game of chance and lady luck will play a massive role in it. Whether you select the numbers haphazardly or try to employ the rules of probability or keno number picking strategies, there will be no difference.

If you find it challenging to pick numbers randomly, you’ll be glad to know that some online keno variants have incorporated a feature that selects the numbers for you. With what is called “Quick Spin” you can just tap your mobile screen and numbers will randomly appear.

Different Types of Keno

Gone are the days when the game of keno was restricted to only one version. Today, with the proliferation of online casinos sites, it is possible to play a plethora of keno variants all with different formats and rules of play.

Straight Keno

This is the most popular and straightforward form of keno. It takes the form that we just described. When you select the ticket for this game, all you need is to mark the numbers that you think will be drawn as winners and hope that some or all of the numbers will be drawn. In most casinos, you will be allowed to select between 4 and 10 numbers.

Super Keno

The rules of this game are nearly the same as the ones applicable for the standard game. The most exciting thing about this variation of keno is that if the first number drawn matches one of your selected numbers, your winnings will be multiplied by four.

Power Keno

The rules here are comparable to the standard version of keno. You can choose up to 15 numbers out of the 80-number grid. In some versions, if you score all the 15 numbers, your wager is multiplied 1,000 times. What’s more, if the last number that is drawn matches one of your picks, then your winnings are multiplied by four.

Caveman Keno

This is arguably the most popular version of keno in online casinos. While the game has some similarities to the standard games, the differences make the game one of the most popular variations of the pack. Caveman keno gives you a chance to choose three numbers before the draw, if at least two of your picks match the first 20 numbers drawn, you score a multiplier.

King and Split Keno Tickets

With king tickets, you get to give one of the numbers in your ticket special attention and call it king. This circled number needs to be present in each of the numbers you choose on your ticket. If this number gets drawn by the casino, you can expect a generous reward. On the other hand, split tickets are also special as they combine the features of straight and king tickets.

With a split ticket, players are allowed to play more than one game. On your ticket, you get to select a group of numbers you think are winners and circle them, on the same ticket you can choose the second group of numbers. If you do this, ensure that each group is independent by drawing a line between them.

Cleopatra Keno

This is perhaps the most generous variation of keno and one that allows the greatest freedom. In this game, you will win 12 free games provided that the last number drawn in the 80-ball set contributes to your win. If you trigger the free games, all your winnings will be doubled.

The Best Keno Strategies

As mentioned earlier, there is no winning keno strategy that can guarantee you a win every time. Keno is a game of chance, and it’s difficult to predict the outcome of each draw. However, there are various proven tips that can help you manage your bankroll and win more.

• Play free online keno games to familiarise yourself with the rules and build experience. Before jumping into a land-based casino or playing online keno for real money, opt to learn first by playing the demo or free versions.
• Select online keno games with an online casino bonus to have a more significant bankroll to play with. Most online casinos, new and old, will offer a repertoire of bonuses and promotions as incentives to welcome you. Ensure that keno is included in the terms of use of the bonus.
• Pick a game with bonus features such as Cleopatra Keno. Such a game has added bonus features which not only allow you some free games but also double your wager if you land winners. These games can also add an extra element of fun into your keno experience.  

Lastly, stick to your bankroll and manage your money wisely. It is important to note that keno has one of the highest house edges of most casino games. While a game like blackjack has a house edge of about 0.2%, keno has about 7%, even more in some versions. Managing your bankroll is necessary while playing this game.