How to Play Keno - Beginner’s Guide

Keno Terminology

Before we dive headfirst into the rules of keno, we will first take a look at some of the common terminology used by players and croupiers alike. There are a lot more terms out there, but these should be enough to get you started.

Bubble

The name given to the container that holds and randomizes the keno balls. Named the bubble due to its transparency allowing you to see all the balls in motion. 

Call

A call is made every time a number is drawn. After a number is drawn its value is called out to the participants, hence the name.

Catch

If a number is drawn that is on your sheet, it is referred to as a catch. Essentially, catching numbers is the name of the game.

Number Pool

The range of numbers you have to choose between on your keno sheet. Most games of keno have a range of 1 to 80, but this can vary. Keep in mind that a larger number of pools will affect your odds of winning.

Way

An additional bet made on the ticket that holds your initial bets. If you already have a ticket with bets on it, any additional bets will be referred to as a Way.

Way Ticket

This is the name given to a ticket that contains a Way. These provide players with different paths to winning, although will naturally require you to split your wager across multiple bets.

Keno Rules

Keno owes a lot of its popularity to its relative simplicity. The main aim of the game is to pick a predetermined amount of numbers from the number pool. From there you are hoping to match as many of your picks with those being called throughout the round. A typical number pool will allow you to pick from numbers between 1 and 80. Players will most commonly have the option of picking up to 10 numbers, although, this can go up to 20 picks. The odds of matching all 20 numbers are astronomical, but catching between three and seven numbers is actually quite likely. 

It might first appear that you just choose as many options as possible in the specific game you are playing. However, the more numbers you select the more you need to catch to be eligible for the minimum payout. A minimum bet amount may also be applied depending on the number of picks you make. The minimum catches and payouts can change depending on the specific keno game you are playing. It is therefore always recommended to double-check the rules and payouts of any ticket you wish to wager on.

Keno Bet Types

Keno adds in a little more complexity by allowing players to wager on various bet types. Here we will cover the most common bet types available at online casinos.

Straight Bets

Straight bets are the most commonly placed bets and are especially ideal for newer players. This is a straight wager on matching your chosen numbers, hence the name. The more catches you get, the higher the payout. All you are concentrating on in this bet is matching the numbers. This means you can spend more time focusing on the rest of the game, rather than just on your bet. 

Way Bets

Rather than seeking to match your selections number by number, way bets group up your picks into a single wager. This bet allows players to select one or more groupings of numbers to be folded into a single bet. As you are betting on a group rather than a number, way bets do offer up more consistent wins, albeit at smaller amounts. You also have to keep in mind that this requires you to keep track of more numbers, which does increase the challenge somewhat. This bet is definitely ideal for players who have a basic grasp of all the fundamentals of keno.

King Number Bets

This bet type requires that you nominate a number as a King Number. This number is added to all combinations that you may have already made in the ticket. It also counts as its own pick. If you decide to place three-way bets on your ticket, alongside a king number, a total of four selections will be present on the ticket. The king number will be included in all these selections. This is especially great if you have your own lucky number, which you can incorporate into all of your bets.

Split Bets

Double the action in one round. Split bets allow you to play two sheets simultaneously. You must select different numbers on each sheet, so this doesn’t exactly synergize with king number bets. You do however have the benefit of spreading out your choices a lot more, although with the requirement of a higher wager cost.

Progressive Jackpots

Not so much a bet type in its own right, progressive jackpots do appear in specific keno titles. To ensure that your bets are eligible for the progressive jackpot, you will need to double-check the specific rules in play. It may well require that you make a specific minimum wager amount, bet type, number of selections or other requirements.

Keno Odds

Keno matching probabilities depend on the pool size, how many numbers are drawn and how many numbers you select. The table below is one specific model: select 20 numbers from 80, then draw 20 distinct numbers uniformly without replacement. It gives the probability of exactly k matches, not the odds for a ticket with k selections. The formula is P(k) = C(20,k) × C(60,20−k) / C(80,20). Payouts depend separately on the game’s paytable.

This example is centred around five matches because the expected count is 20 × 20/80 =5. It does not recommend choosing five numbers: every row in the table assumes 20 selections. Use the probabilities and paytable for the ticket size you actually choose.

important to keep in mind whenever you make your selections. Too many selections also increase your required minimum bet amount. Too few selections on the other hand will also see diminishing returns in likelihood.

Variations Of Online Keno

Each keno game variation offers something slightly different. 

Mini Keno

A more compact variant of more traditional keno titles. Mini Keno offers a number pool of only 40 selections. This also means that players only have a maximum amount of 10 selections. This also leads to faster rounds, which means you are making more betting decisions over a period of time. It is therefore not especially recommended for players with a smaller budget.

Power Keno

Power Keno variants may attach a multiplier to a catch on the final draw. The trigger, multiplier and eligible selections depend on the version. In a uniform 80-number pool, a single specified number has a 1-in-80 chance of being drawn last; a ticket covering several numbers has a different chance of catching that last number. Check the actual feature rules and paytable.

Bonus Spot Keno

Another keno game based on applying win multipliers. Bonus Spot Keno instead awards players on the first call, rather than the last one in Power Keno. Apart from this, it acts in pretty much exactly the same way as Power Keno. The win multiplier may vary depending on the specific game you are playing but can be as much as ten times.

Virtual & Live Casino Keno

When playing keno online, you can choose between virtual and live casino formats. This is purely a subjective choice and either option provides its own benefits depending on your play style. Virtual keno games tend to be more widely available, however. Both formats have a similar and easy-to-understand user interface that allows you to manage your wagers and view certain statistics within the game, such as the paytable.

Virtual Keno

Virtual keno uses a random-outcome system to select the draw. Many versions offer solo play and virtual-credit demonstrations. Check the provider’s testing information and the operator’s licence; the presence of an RNG alone does not establish that every implementation is fair.

Live Casino Keno

Live casino games are as close to an authentic casino experience as you can get from the comfort of your own home. Players are connected to a live stream of the game in action, hosted by the provider’s own croupiers. Live chat functionality allows players to interact with one another, as well as the croupier. This comes together to provide a truly immersive experience that encourages sharing your highs and lows with your fellow players. The flow of each game is directed by the croupier and there is no free-play mode available in this format.

How to Play Keno - Tips & Strategies

The rules of keno are simple enough for anyone to learn, but winning is an entirely different matter. Even applying sound strategies cannot guarantee a win and more often it is good practice that benefits players in the long run. Below are a few examples of good practices that you can employ in your keno games. Again, these won’t guarantee that you will win but instead will guide you on how to more effectively manage your gameplay.

Budget Management

The first step for any person with a passion for gambling. Without effective budget management, you probably won’t get very far in your gameplay. Knowing what you can afford and how to then split this up into your wagers is an important step to becoming a more seasoned player. Having a budget of €10 and then wagering €5 on a single round of keno won’t get you very far. A bet suitable proportional to your budget is something you should always be aiming for. Smaller stakes reduce the amount at risk per round and can help a fixed budget cover more bets; they do not improve the chance of winning a particular bet.

Free Play Mode

A free-play or demo mode uses virtual credits to show the game’s controls and features. The available credit balance and settings depend on the version. Check the rules for real-money play separately; a short demo session does not predict later results.

Pay Attention To The Game Rules

We touched upon this briefly in the Variations Of Online Keno section, however, it is really important for keno. Different variants of keno can change up the number pool, available bets and the range of picks you can make. More importantly, it can affect the various payouts. It is the payouts that put the odds into perspective and truly defines the worth of each bet. It is therefore good to shop around a little to find a variant that you are happy with.

How To Choose Keno Numbers

For a fixed ticket size in a fair draw, no particular set of numbers is more likely than another. Changing the number of selections changes the distribution of matches and the applicable paytable. Choose the stake and ticket format from the published rules; the 20-selection table above is not a strategy for picking three to nine numbers.

Play Keno At Online Casinos

So, we’ve covered all the basics needed to get started on playing keno online. You may now be asking where is the best place to play keno? Well, the best place to find the answer is right here at GoodLuckMate. We have a bunch of casino reviews that tell you everything you need to know about the online casino in question. Game selections, promotional material, licensing status and the quality of support are all covered in each review, amongst other things. Be sure to check them out for yourself to find the keno casino online for you.