Keno is a game of luck that’s been around for many centuries. Although it originated in China, its name has French (Latin) roots and bears the meaning of five winning numbers. The game itself is similar to the lottery, as it allows you to win big even if you place a small bet.
Even though online casinos typically feature one or two online keno variants, it still attracts millions of passionate players worldwide, making it one of the most popular casino games.
If you’re just getting started with online casinos and wish to play keno, our short guide will introduce you to the game’s basics.
Keno Rules
As mentioned, keno is a luck-based game, meaning you can’t influence or predict the outcome. In online keno, all numbers are drawn using an RNG (random number generator), so any strategy is futile.
Here’s how the game works:
- You will get a keno card with numbers ranging from 1 to 40 or 1 to 80. You’ll get to pick between 10 and 15 numbers you consider
- If you don’t want to choose the numbers yourself, an algorithm can do it for you. But, remember that this doesn’t in any way guarantee you’ll win.
- You will also need to set a betting amount which will also determine the maximum amount you can win.
- Afterwards, you can select the number of draws you’d like to have during one round. Typically, online keno allows up to 10 draws.
- The machine will then select 20 random numbers to be crossed off the list. Any number from your list that gets drawn is considered a
- The payouts and odds depend on how much money you’ve wagered and how many numbers you’ve chosen.
How to Play Keno in an Online Casino
Before we show you how to play the game in an online casino, we’d like to point out that there are online slot games dedicated to keno. If you wish to learn more about them, read the Keno Slots 101 guide.
Below are step-by-step instructions to playing online keno:
- Find a reputable online casino and create an account.
- Select your preferred payment method and fund the account.
- While you’re there, claim a welcome bonus if there’s one you can use on keno.
- Go to the game lobby and start the game.
- Place a bet, select the numbers, and enjoy!
That’s it! As you can see, keno is a pleasant and straightforward game to play. So, if you feel like today is your lucky day, go ahead and visit an online casino!
Types of Keno Bets
Even though there is no clear winning strategy in keno that would ensure a win, you can choose different bets, boosting the potential payouts. Here are your options:
- Straight Tickets — the basic keno bet where you pick the numbers and wait for the machine to select the winning ones
- Way Tickets — a bet that allows you to have multiple number groupings. For instance, you can add a group of five numbers, another one with five selections, and a third one with ten
- King Number Tickets — a wager where one number is added to all your groupings and represents a selection in and of itself
- Split Tickets — a combination of straight-ticket bets
- Combination Tickets — a wager containing many different bets (straight, way, king number, etc.)
Helpful Keno Tips and Tricks
While the most important aspect of playing keno is choosing a safe and reliable online casino, some tips might come in handy. Take a look:
- Practice on free play games first.
- Know when to stop playing.
- Look for games with bonus features.
- Avoid hitting the maximum number of selections. If you choose six numbers and hit four, you’ll win more than if you picked ten and got four right.
- Find a progressive keno game with a jackpot — you might score a massive win.
