Feeling lucky? Keno might be the game for you. Like the lottery, it’s easy to play and beginner-friendly, so you don’t need any experience to join the fun. While there’s a lot of chance involved, we know a few handy tips that’ll improve your winning odds. Keep reading as we share the secrets behind Keno success!
What is Keno?
Keno is a traditional Chinese card game (also known as the Chinese lottery) that dates back at least 2,000 years. Nowadays, it’s a staple in most American, Australian, South African, and East Asian casinos, thanks to its accessibility and irresistible pay-outs.
How does it work? You’ll receive a Keno card with 80 numbers. Players then pick between one and 20 numbers from the selection (this varies depending on the game). In the meantime, a random number generator draws the results. The more you match, the more you win!
Understand the terminology
The first step towards Keno success is understanding the basic terminology. Otherwise, how will you know what’s going on? The main terms you’ll come across are:
- Spots – the numbers a player picks
- Catches – when your numbers match
- Race – a Keno game
- Ticket – the betting card
- Pay table – the casino’s payout calculations
Know your odds
While Keno is predominantly luck-based, you can still gain a competitive edge by knowing your odds. You don’t have a favorable chance of winning with too few or too many numbers. Instead, there’s a sweet spot between three and seven. Here’s a quick rundown of your odds when choosing zero to ten cards:
- 0 – 1 in 843.380
- 1 – 1 in 86.446
- 2 – 1 in 20.115
- 3 – 1 in 8.009
- 4 – 1 in 4.877
- 5 – 1 in 4.287
- 6 – 1 in 5.258
- 7 – 1 in 8.826
- 8 – 1 in 20.055
- 9 – 1 in 61.420
- 10 – 1 in 253.801
Focus on hot or cold numbers
Predicting the top Keno winning numbers is tricky, but you can boost the likelihood by sticking to hot or cold numbers. Hot numbers have been drawn out most frequently in the last ten games. People believe casinos favor them and will use them time and time again. In contrast, cold numbers have yet to be played, so the thinking is they’ll have to pop up eventually.
It’s up to you whether you stick to the same numbers or switch them up. As there isn’t much skill involved, most experts agree it doesn’t really matter. Our only advice is to stay consistent with your strategy.
Play high pay-out games
Of course, everyone dreams of winning big. As such, you should prioritize the highest-paying games. Every in-person and online casino has different rewards and entrance fees, so it’s worth researching beforehand. You might win $2 or $2,000,000, depending on the draw. How awesome would it be if you won a life-changing sum of money?
Set a budget
Setting and sticking to a realistic budget is the healthiest way to play Keno. Decide how much you can afford to spend beforehand and cut your losses if you exceed this amount. Knowing your limits is the secret to a happy and healthy gambling career.
Keno is a fantastic entry-level game for casino enthusiasts. It’s straightforward to play, low-risk, and accessible to all. Best of all, there are plenty of opportunities to play Keno online and refine your skills for your next Vegas trip!
