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Keno

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Introduction

Keno is an uncomplicated game of chance, similar to many lottery games, where players select a set of numbers with the hope that as many of them as possible match those that are randomly selected by a machine or drawing device. The basic version without multipliers or additional balls is referred to as spot keno . Refer to the Internal Links section below for a variety of keno formats.

Susie keno

Rules

Here are the basic rules for the standard version of 'spot keno.'

  1. Players place a bet and select their preferred numbers. In live keno, they mark their choices on a paper ticket, while in video keno, selections are made by tapping the screen. Players can select numbers from a range of 1 to 80.
  2. The number of selections a player is allowed to make varies based on the game format, typically allowing for between 2 to 10 or 1 to 15 picks.
  3. The game randomly draws 20 numbers from a total of 80.
  4. When a number that a player selected is drawn, it is referred to as a 'catch.' The payout is based on how many selected numbers the player matches.

I have included several examples of payout structures along with their corresponding returns on my page about spot keno .

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Keno Variants

There are numerous variations of keno available. I have researched many of them, which are listed below.

Calculators

We offer calculators to help determine the potential returns based on any payout structure for the following keno games:

Surveys

In 2001, I did a survey Findings from a survey of every live keno casino game in Las Vegas indicated that returns varied from 65% to 80%. In essence, the house advantage ranged from 20% to 35%, marking live keno as one of the least favorable bets in Las Vegas.

In 2012 I did a similar survey Results from live keno in Laughlin showed a return range between 50% and 74%.

In 2008 I did a survey A survey of video keno in San Diego revealed returns between 84% to 95%.

In 2017, I revised my analysis of video keno in Las Vegas; the updated information can be accessed at Wizard of Vegas .

Advice

If you decide to play keno, the main strategy involves choosing where to play and deciding how many numbers to select. The specific numbers you pick don’t matter as each has an equal chance. Contrary to what people might believe, genuine keno games, such as those found in Las Vegas, operate fairly, ensuring that every ball has an equal 1 in 80 chance of being drawn during any game. To understand the odds of any keno game, you may utilize my keno calculator . Simply input the payout table to view expected returns for every wager.

Nonetheless, I suspect that anyone who invests effort into analyzing the game may not actually be a player in the first place. The odds in video keno are roughly as unfavorable as those in slot machines. If your goal is to minimize your losses while gambling, I highly suggest switching to video poker . For those who prefer live keno, exploring bingo might be a better choice.

Practice Game

Experience keno right here with my practice game.

Scouting Guide

In a busy casino, it would take a considerable amount of time to input each payout table into my various calculators to find the most advantageous game. This is why I created two print-friendly guides for your convenience:

  • My Keno Scouting Guide is a concise reference that outlines the best games for various payout structures across popular keno formats. Each game includes a table displaying the potential pay tables for a pick-10 setup, along with the optimal number of picks and associated returns. The final page provides a comprehensive guide on how to utilize it.
  • My Full Pay Table Report is a more extensive document presenting every known payout table for major keno games along with their respective returns. This guide is ideal for those looking to ascertain returns for any number of selections, rather than just the most optimal number (which is covered in the Keno Scouting Guide).

For a printable resource showcasing keno payout tables and returns for several key keno games, please view my Keno Scouting Guide (PDF). This is perfect for taking with you to the casino to identify the best games and payout structures available.

Videos

This video demonstrates how to calculate keno odds using Excel.

Internal Links

Keno games by U1 Gaming

Following are keno games by U1 Gaming .

Written by: Michael Shackleford