Are you intrigued by games of chance and the thrill of winning big? Keno, a game with a rich history of over two millennia, blends luck, strategy, and the potential for significant payouts.
This article explores keno’s ancient Chinese origins, the types of bets available, odds, payouts, and various game variations. Whether you’re a seasoned gambler or new to keno, this guide will provide insights into this exciting game and strategies for success. Ready to delve into the world of keno? Keep reading to uncover its history and become a keno aficionado.
What Is Keno and How Does It Work?
This is a gambling game that originated in China. It is a lottery-style game where players must pick numbers from a card and hope they match the numbers drawn randomly. When betting on keno, players have a flat rate that they must pay per ticket.
Players can choose up to 20 numbers from eighty on their card, with the potential prizes increasing the more numbers a player picks. Once a player has selected their numbers, twenty numbers are drawn randomly, and the player is rewarded depending on how many numbers they match. The more numbers they match, the more valuable their reward is.
The ticket cost does not increase depending on the quantity of numbers picked. The potential payouts for a single card are calculated depending on the amount wagered and the selected number combination.
Overview of Keno Rules and Gameplay Mechanics
Before you start playing keno, you must decide how much you’d like to bet per ticket. Then, you need to select the numbers you’d like to bet on. The maximum limit at most casinos is 20, but some gambling platforms will let you pick more or fewer numbers.
Your payout will depend on the number of digits you bet on. Let’s take a closer look at your betting options and your potential payouts.
Explaining the Different Types of Keno Bets
There are several different types of bets you can make in keno, such as:
- Straight bets: A bet made on up to 15 numbers.
- Split bets: A bet on more than one set of numbers treated separately during each game.
- Way bets: A bet where players select a collection of numbers, then divide those numbers into subgroups, known as “ways.”
Understanding the Payout Structure and Odds
As mentioned above, the payouts you receive will depend on the number of digits you bet on. The more numbers you choose, the higher your maximum payout will be, but you won’t receive much for hitting one or two numbers.
The prizes for hitting all 20 keno numbers can be in the millions, but the likelihood of hitting all twenty numbers is 1 in 3,535,316,142,212,173,800 – so it’s pretty unlikely!
Different Variations of Keno Games
There are many different variations of the game you can enjoy when you play at online keno casinos. Let’s take a look at the options available at these online keno sites.
Multi-Card Keno
While standard game only uses one card, multi-card keno allows you to bet on multiple cards in a single game. Many casinos allow you to bet on up to twenty cards per game, giving you multiple ways to win.
Single-Card Keno
Single-card keno is the default version of the game. You’re given a single card with 80 numbers and must select the numbers you want to bet on. The payouts you receive will vary depending on the quantity of chosen numbers.
Super Online Keno
Super online keno is, as the name suggests, a variant that’s mainly found at online casinos with keno. While it shares similarities with conventional game, there is a unique feature that sets it apart. It gives the player a multiplier if they match the first number drawn.
Progressive Keno
If you want a chance at a huge jackpot when playing online keno, this is the game for you. The maximum win in these games is a progressive jackpot, increasing the longer it goes unclaimed.
Tips and Tricks for Online Keno
If you want to try online keno games for yourself, you’ll want to put your best foot forward and play like a pro. To help you do that, we’ve collected some helpful tips and tricks to help you play keno online.
Identifying the Best Times to Play Online Keno
Winning here is all about luck and timing, so you want to try and find the best time to play it online. Many players think that the best time to play is when your lucky numbers are “hot,” as they believe it’s more likely that their numbers will hit again.
Explaining the Advantages of Playing Multiple Tickets
One of the most popular ways experienced players play keno is by playing with multiple tickets. This allows you to cover more of the board, increasing your chances of getting a return from your bets and resulting in big payouts when one card holds the majority of the winning numbers.
The best way to maximize your keno online casino experience is by claiming bonuses and promotions that can be used when you play keno online. Casino bonuses such as no deposit bonuses give you a risk-free chance to enjoy an online keno game and help make your deposit go further.
Strategies for Winning
Due to its similarity to the lottery, there aren’t many ways you can increase your chances of winning when you play keno online. However, some players use the following strategies to try and increase their chances when playing real money game.
Concept of Hot and Cold Numbers
“Hot” and “cold” numbers are terms used by the players to denote how frequently a number is appearing. If a number is being drawn often, it’s considered “hot,” but if it’s not being drawn often, it’s considered “cold.” Many players adapt their strategies based on whether a number is hot or cold.
Statistical Analysis for Keno
Players who have analyzed keno say that the optimal number of digits to choose per bet is between 4 and 8. Picking a set of numbers in this range allows you to balance your risk/reward ratio and increase your expected value.
Bankroll Management
Bankroll management is important when playing any casino game, as it allows you to effectively use your money. It’s important that you don’t play in games that are too big for your bankroll, as you’ll have a greater chance of losing it all.
Online Keno for Real Money vs Free Keno Games
When playing online, players can choose to play real money games or free keno. Let’s take a look at both so you can see which one is right for you.
Online Keno |
Free Keno |
Players can win real money when playing at a keno casino |
Gives you a risk-free way to try new strategies |
There is added excitement when playing for real money |
You cannot win real money when playing free online keno |
Generous bonuses and promotions are offered to real-money players |
No risk of losing money when playing free games |
A better range of games is available to real-money players |
Cannot take advantage of bonus offers |
Players can play in tournaments with real-money prizes |
Limited gaming options |
Live Keno Games
If you want an immersive casino experience while playing keno online, you should try live casino games. These games are managed and run by real dealers using real casino equipment, so it’s like playing in an actual casino! Many of our recommended casino sites offer real-money keno games with live dealers, so check them out today.
Short History of Keno
The game keno originated in China and is believed to be over 2000 years old. The game was originally called beige piao, which means “white pigeon ticket.” The name is a reference to the tickets used in another betting game involving homing pigeons. Back then, the tickets had the first 80 symbols in Qianziwen rather than numbers.
The game came to the West in the mid-1800s with Chinese immigrants, where the game was converted from characters to numbers and became known as keno – a corruption of the word “quine,” which means “group of five.”
Keno Terms Glossary
There are a number of unique terms used in keno, so let’s take a look at what they mean.
Terms |
Definition |
Aggregate Limit |
The limit on payouts that a casino imposes for an individual game |
Balls |
The numbers in the game are written on small plastic balls, which are then drawn by a machine or a caller |
Bankroll |
The amount of money a player has to wager when playing keno casino games |
Bet |
The act of wagering money on a game of keno |
Caller |
The person responsible for calling the numbers as they’re drawn |
Catch |
When a number drawn matches the number marked on a player’s card |
Close |
The time after the casino stops taking bets and just before the draw begins |
Draw |
The 20 numbers that are randomly selected for a given game |
Field |
A group of marked numbers on the keno card that are not circled |
Flashboard |
The electronic sign that displays the numbers that have been drawn in the current game |
Goose |
The common term for the machine used to select the balls |
Hit |
Another term for “Catch;” when a number drawn matches the number marked on a player’s card |
House Edge |
The amount that the casino expects to win of every bet made |
Mark |
An indication made by the player that means they are selecting this number on their ticket |
Open |
Describes any time the game is open for wagers |
Pay Table |
A table that tells the players how much they will win depending on how many numbers they select |
Punch Outs |
In live casino games, numbers are punched out of keno tickets as they’re drawn |
Spot |
Describes the numbers selected by a player on their ticket |
Ticket |
The card with all 80 numbers on it that players use to mark their selections |
Way Ticket |
When a player marks two separate groups of numbers to play two different bets |
Writer |
The casino employee in charge of managing the game |
How We Choose the Best Keno Casinos
We want our readers to have the best experience playing keno at a casino, so we have a team of experts who hunt down top online casinos in Canada. Here’s what our experts look for when evaluating the casinos.
Licensing and Legality
We make sure every casino we recommend is legal and above board by checking for licences from authorized gambling authorities. If a casino has a licence from a gambling authority such as the Malta Gaming Authority or the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, we know it’s safe for our readers.
Casino Security
As well as the licensing, we check each casino’s security features to ensure it’s a safe place to play. We look for things like secure servers, 128-bit encryption, and certifications from independent testers such as eCOGRA.
Payment Methods
The best online casinos have a range of options for you to deposit and withdraw your money. That’s why we check each site’s payment options, as well as things like withdrawal times and fees to ensure you don’t get any nasty surprises.
Mobile Devices Compatibility
More and more people are engaging with content through their phones, including online casino games like keno! That’s why we recommend the best places that allow you to enjoy the game on your mobile device.
Available Bonuses
Who doesn’t love getting something for free? You can if you claim the bonuses at our recommended casinos! We check every casino we recommend to ensure our readers get the best value bonuses on the market.
Quality User Support
Customer support is the lifeblood of any casino site, so we ensure that the customer support at our recommended casinos is available when you need them most and can help with your problems.
Responsible Gambling
Keno is a fun and exciting game, but if gambling stops being fun, you should stop too. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, we recommend that you seek the help of companies like the Responsible Gambling Council and the Canada Safety Council.
You can also use the tools available to you at online casinos. The best sites often have responsible gambling tools, such as deposit limits, time-outs, and self-exclusion, that help you control your access to gambling.
Online Casino Keno FAQ
🔎 Where can I find the best keno games?
You can find the best games at our recommended online casinos! Make sure you check out our site to get a full list of the best places to play.
⚖️ Are online keno games fair and trustworthy?
Absolutely, all the games featured in our recommended casinos are known for their fairness and reliability. While it is true that the nature of keno ensures that the casino has an edge, the games are not manipulated to unfairly favour the house.
🆓 Can I play online keno for free?
Yes, there are a number of places where you can enjoy playing keno without any risk. Check out our list of recommended online casinos for the best places to try free games.
📈 How can I improve my odds of winning in online keno?
There isn’t much you can do to improve your odds of winning when playing keno, as the game is entirely luck based. The secret is to pick the right numbers at the right times, but that’s very hard to do!
📱 Can I play keno on my mobile device?
Yes, all of our recommended online casinos allow you to enjoy keno from your mobile device. Simply browse the site from your phone’s web browser, or download your casino’s app to play today.
🤑 What are the biggest keno jackpots ever won?
There have been some huge jackpots won over the years, including Bruce Buckley, who won $300,000 from a $2 ticket, Patrick Lamour, who won $400,000, and Zeljko Ranogajec, who won $7.5 million.