Keno Demystified: A Comprehensive Guide on How to Play and Win

Keno, a game of chance that combines elements of lottery and bingo, is a popular choice in casinos, both online and brick-and-mortar, worldwide. Its simplicity and the potential for large payouts make it an engaging pastime for many. While it might appear daunting to newcomers, understanding the rules and mechanics is quite straightforward. This comprehensive guide will break down how to play Keno, providing you with detailed steps and instructions to get you started.

What is Keno?

At its core, Keno is a lottery-style game where players select numbers from a grid, typically numbered 1 through 80. Twenty numbers are then randomly drawn by the house (casino or online platform). The more numbers a player matches, the higher their payout. Payout structures vary between different casinos and keno games but the fundamental principle remains the same.

Understanding the Keno Board

The Keno board, also called a ‘Keno ticket’ or ‘Keno card’, is a grid containing 80 numbered squares. These numbers are arranged in rows and columns, usually 10 rows of 8 numbers each. The layout is generally consistent across different venues.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Play Keno

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the steps involved in playing Keno:

Step 1: Obtaining a Keno Ticket or Accessing the Game Online

In a Land-Based Casino: You can usually find Keno tickets at designated Keno stations or at the Keno runner station. Often you will also find these at the table game pits or with bartenders. These tickets are paper slips that you use to mark your chosen numbers. A Keno writer will assist you in purchasing your tickets.

Online: If you’re playing online, you’ll usually find a Keno game tab in the games lobby. Clicking on this will open the Keno board on your screen. The user interface is designed to be intuitive and straightforward.

Step 2: Selecting Your Numbers (Spots)

This is the core of playing Keno. You need to decide how many numbers you want to select. This is often referred to as picking your ‘spots’. The number of spots you choose can range from 1 up to 20 (depending on specific game rules). Be aware that most standard Keno tickets will not allow you to select more than 10-15 spots, but this depends on the variant being played. Here’s what you should consider:

• Number Range: Most games allow you to pick from 1 to 10, or even up to 15 or 20 numbers.
• Higher Spots, Higher Risk: Picking more spots means a greater chance of matching more numbers, which could lead to higher payouts. However, the more spots you choose, the more matching numbers you usually need to win anything at all, often with the lowest payouts going to only a handful of matching numbers. Selecting too many numbers often carries a higher risk of not matching enough to make your bet worthwhile.
• Lower Spots, Lower Risk: Picking fewer spots generally means it is easier to match some numbers, but the payouts tend to be smaller, and you need to match a higher percentage of your spots in order to win.

Marking Your Ticket (Physical): Use a pen or marker to clearly mark your chosen numbers on the paper Keno ticket. Fill in the spots completely. Be sure to take care so you don’t mark more spots than you had planned, as this could increase the cost of your ticket without your intent.

Clicking/Tapping Online: On a digital interface, simply click or tap on the numbers you wish to select on the Keno grid.

Step 3: Determining Your Wager

Once you have chosen the numbers of spots you are going to play you need to select the wager you intend to play for the drawing. Your wager may be per draw or per round. Be aware that if your wager is per draw, you may be allowed to play more than one draw.

Physical Ticket: Indicate your bet amount on the designated section of the Keno ticket. This might involve filling in a ‘bet per game’ amount or selecting a specific wager using checkboxes or dropdowns. Typically you will be required to hand this to the Keno runner or writer and they will enter your bet into the machine and return you a copy of the ticket with all your information. The cost will depend on the number of spots you selected, the number of games you selected and the bet you decided to wager per draw.

Online: Select your bet amount on the provided betting interface. Online platforms will usually provide plus and minus buttons, as well as a place to enter a specific value manually. You may also need to select the number of games you wish to play in a given run before clicking the “Play” button.

Step 4: Submitting Your Ticket

Physical Ticket: Hand your completed Keno ticket to the Keno writer or Keno runner and pay for your wager. They will then process the ticket and provide you with a printed copy which serves as your receipt and record of your numbers and wager. Keep this ticket safe for the duration of the game, as it will be used to claim any winnings.

Online: Click the ‘Play’ button to submit your selected numbers and wager for the round. This will initiate the Keno draw immediately on most online casinos.

Step 5: Watching the Draw

In Person: Typically you will find a Keno board displayed with the numbers drawn displayed on a screen for each of the 20 numbers. This board will display all 80 numbers, often with the drawn numbers highlighted as they are called out. These may also be displayed via a video monitor. Land based casinos will often have the game called out by an attendant or an automated voice over to let you know each number drawn as they are selected.

Online: The random number generator will draw 20 numbers, often displayed on-screen by highlighting the drawn numbers or animating them being drawn out of a container. This process is typically very quick.

Step 6: Checking Your Results

After the draw, check how many numbers you matched.

In Person: Compare the drawn numbers against your selected spots on your ticket. Keno runners are available to assist you in verifying your results. If you have a winning ticket you will typically have to submit this ticket to the runner or Keno writer to verify before payment is provided.

Online: The system will usually highlight the matched numbers on the board, as well as tally your winnings automatically. You will be notified of your winnings after the draw has concluded.

Step 7: Claiming Your Winnings

In Person: Present your winning Keno ticket to the Keno runner or Keno writer. They will verify the results and pay out your winnings according to the paytable. Note that you must present the ticket in person at the location you purchased the ticket in order to claim the prize. Never lose your ticket. Winnings will usually be paid out in cash, though larger wins might be processed differently depending on the casino.

Online: Your winnings are typically credited directly to your casino account balance. From there, you can choose to withdraw the winnings or use them to play more Keno or other games.

Understanding Keno Paytables

Paytables are a crucial part of understanding Keno. These tables dictate how much you’ll win based on how many numbers you match and how many spots you chose initially. Paytables vary considerably, depending on the online casino or location and the variation of Keno you are playing. Each variation of Keno will have different paytables associated with the specific game.

Here are some general principles regarding Keno paytables:

• Matching All Spots: Matching all the spots you selected yields the highest payout, but this is also the most difficult to achieve.
• No Match Payouts: Many paytables do not pay anything for matching zero numbers.
• Varying Payoffs: Payoff amounts are specific to each paytable. The same amount of spots matched will often result in different payouts for different versions of Keno.
• Higher Risk, Higher Potential Reward: Games with higher potential payouts often require matching more spots to win anything significant.

Before you begin playing a particular game it is recommended that you review the associated paytable. This will provide you with insight into which combinations are the most advantageous.

Keno Variations

While classic Keno remains popular, several variations exist, often found online. Some common variations include:

• Power Keno: Sometimes, if the 20th number that is drawn matches one of your numbers, all winnings are often multiplied by 4. This is sometimes referred to as “Power Ball Keno”
• Super Keno: In this variation, if the first number drawn matches one of your selected numbers, you are given a bonus.
• Way Tickets: This allows you to group spots in different combinations for more flexibility.
• Progressive Keno: Some games feature a progressive jackpot that grows with each game until won. This may be paid out on hitting specific combinations.
• Multi-Card Keno: Allows you to play several different tickets on one drawing.

Be sure to read the specific rules associated with each variant to determine what you need to win. These will vary from location to location and game to game.

Tips for Playing Keno

Keno is fundamentally a game of chance, but here are some tips to enhance your experience:

• Understand the Paytable: Always familiarize yourself with the paytable of the specific Keno game you’re playing. This allows you to identify the best payout opportunities.
• Choose a Reasonable Number of Spots: Don’t blindly pick the maximum number of spots, as this might mean that you are unlikely to match enough to get a return. Based on the paytable, consider the likelihood of matching a reasonable number of spots that will be likely to result in a favorable payout.
• Manage Your Bankroll: Set a budget before you start and stick to it. Don’t chase losses. Keno is a game of chance, and losing streaks can and do happen.
• Play for Entertainment: Enjoy the game as a form of entertainment, and don’t rely on it as a primary source of income.
• Play at Reputable Casinos: Whether playing online or in person, make sure you are playing at reputable venues. Look for proper licenses and regulatory compliance.
• Take Advantage of Bonuses: If playing online, look for bonuses or promotions that can increase your winnings, or let you play for longer on the same budget. Be aware of the requirements of any specific bonus and how it will affect your play before you accept.

The Appeal of Keno

Keno’s enduring popularity stems from its simplicity and the allure of a potentially large win for a small stake. It’s easy to learn and can be played by anyone, regardless of experience with other casino games. Whether you are playing for a few dollars, or if you like to wager larger amounts, the game is open to any player who wishes to participate. The nature of the game means that the potential for high rewards keeps players coming back time and time again, even though the odds are against them. With each draw there is always that possibility of getting the exact combination of numbers you were hoping for.

Conclusion

Keno offers a unique blend of luck and anticipation, making it an enjoyable game for casual players and seasoned gamblers alike. Understanding the rules, paytables, and variations will help you make informed decisions and hopefully, increase your chances of enjoying the game. By following the steps and tips outlined in this comprehensive guide, you’ll be well-equipped to embark on your Keno journey. Remember to play responsibly and enjoy the thrill of the game!