The Ultimate Guide To Keno
Keno is a popular lottery-style gambling game of Chinese origin that is played in both brick-and-mortar and online casinos. Its popularity comes from its fast-paced action and high potential returns, as players can win hundreds of thousands of pounds if they win the biggest prizes on offer.
In this ultimate guide to keno, we'll be explaining what keno is, how to play keno, common keno terminology, and much more. So, keep reading to find out everything you need to know about keno.
What is keno?
Keno is a lottery-style gambling game where the aim of the game is to correctly guess as many numbers as possible. Players mark down their guesses on a white ticket, and once their ticket is submitted, 20 numbers are drawn at random. The player then checks the numbers against their ticket to see how many they got right. The more numbers they get right, the higher their prize.
One of the interesting aspects of keno is that players can decide how many numbers they'd like to pick. They can choose anywhere between 1 and 20 numbers from the 80 available, and the prizes will change depending on the amount of numbers they pick. The more numbers a player chooses, the more numbers they need to correctly guess to win a prize, and the higher the potential jackpot will be.
The jackpot for getting all 20 numbers right in keno can be worth millions, so there's potentially a huge amount of money to be won. However, you should note that the probability of this is very low.
How to play keno
Now that we know a little more about the game of keno, let's take a look at how you play real money keno games. We've created a helpful step-by-step guide that you can follow along with at home.
- Get a ticket – To start playing keno, you need a ticket to mark down your numbers.
- Pick your numbers – You're free to choose between one and twenty numbers from the eighty available. Remember, the more numbers you pick, the greater your potential prize.
- Decide how much to bet – After selecting your numbers, decide how much you'd like to bet per number. Different casinos have different minimum/maximum amounts, so always check before playing.
- Specify how many draws you'd like – Players can play multiple draws with the same ticket, which allows you to keep playing without remarking your ticket. However, you will have to bet the same amount for each draw, so make sure you have enough in your bankroll.
- Submit your ticket – Once you've marked your numbers, set your bet, and picked how many draws you want, it's time to submit your ticket to the casino.
- Watch the draw – After your ticket has been submitted, it's time to watch the draw and hope that your numbers come up.
- Check your numbers – Once the draw is complete, check the numbers on your ticket and see how many matches you have.
- Claim your winnings – If you have a winning ticket, go to the casino's cashier desk to claim your winnings.
That's all there is to it! If you want to play again, but with different numbers, you're free to get another ticket and make a whole new selection.
How to play keno online
If you want to enjoy keno without having to go to a casino, you're in luck! There are a number of online keno options for you to enjoy, including a number of free keno games that give you the chance to learn the ropes without the risk of losing money. We at Casino Guru offer a number of free keno games, so check out our page to get started.
For those of you who'd like to play real money keno games at an online casino, we've created a helpful guide that you can follow along with. So, take a look below to get started.
- Pick an online casino – Start by picking an online casino that offers keno games. If you're struggling to find a suitable option, we have a number of recommended casinos for you to choose from.
- Create an account – Once you've picked your casino, you'll need to create an account. Follow the sign-up process and enter your personal information, such as your home address, phone number, and email address when required.
- Make a deposit – Now that your account is up and running, it's time to make a deposit. Go to your casino's cashier section and choose from one of their deposit options to get started.
- Choose your favorite keno game – After making your deposit, it's time to pick your favorite keno game. Many casinos offer keno games with fun and interesting themes, so pick the one that most appeals to you.
- Buy your tickets and have fun – The only thing left for you to do is to get your tickets and start having fun.
Benefits of playing online keno
If you can't decide whether or not you'd prefer to play keno online or in a land-based casino, we can help you out. There are a number of benefits that come with playing real money online keno from the comfort of your own home. Let's take a look at what those benefits are.
- You can play anytime, anywhere – The biggest advantage of playing real money online keno is that you can enjoy your favorite game anytime you want, no matter where you are in the world.
- Online casinos often offer higher payouts – Another benefit of online keno games is that online casinos are able to offer higher jackpots than brick-and-mortar casinos, giving you better value for money.
- Automatic ticket marking and prize collection – Online keno games offer a number of quality-of-life features, such as automatic ticket marking that allows you to track your potential winnings, as well as automatic prize collection.
- Possibility of a progressive jackpot – You'll commonly find progressive jackpot keno games at online casinos, whereas they're not as common at brick-and-mortar casinos.
- You can take advantage of casino offers – Another advantage that comes with playing keno games at online casino sites is that players get access to a number of generous casino bonuses and promotions.
Common keno terminology
When playing a game for the first time, it helps to understand the terminology being used by experienced players. There are likely a number of keno-related words and phrases that you're not familiar with, so let's take a look at the most commonly used terms.
- Aggregate limit – The maximum prize a casino will pay out on a single keno ticket.
- All or nothing – A variety of keno where players only win if they match all selected numbers.
- Catch – When one of your chosen numbers matches one of the drawn numbers.
- Draw – A common term for a single round of keno.
- King – A special number highlighted on a way ticket that is used in multiple combinations.
- Live game – A keno game with a live draw that often uses a ball machine.
- Multi-race ticket – A variety of keno tickets that allows players to participate in multiple consecutive draws with the same set of numbers.
- Pay table – A chart that shows the player's potential winnings based on the amount of numbers chosen and matched numbers.
- Quick pick – A keno ticket where the numbers are randomly chosen by a computer.
- Race – Another term for a draw or single round of keno.
- Spot – A term that denotes a number chosen by a player on a keno ticket.
- Spot ticket – A keno ticket where the player only chooses one set of numbers.
- Way ticket – A keno ticket where the player chooses multiple sets of numbers.
Most common keno variations
The game of keno is believed to have been around for over 2000 years, and since its inception, it has developed a number of variations that add a unique twist to the game. If you're interested in trying out some of these variants, we've listed the most popular ones below.
Mini keno
As the name suggests, mini keno is a more streamlined version of keno, where 10 balls are drawn from a pool of 40, rather than 20 balls drawn from a pool of 80. The reduction in the number of draws means that the game is even faster-paced than conventional keno, allowing you to play more games per hour.
Power keno
Power keno is similar to standard keno with one important rule change. If the last ball drawn matches one of the player's picks, the player's winnings are multiplied by 4. The best part about this game is that no side bet is required, so you have the potential of a winnings increase for no extra payment.
Progressive jackpot keno
One of the most popular versions of keno is the progressive jackpot variation. These games offer a jackpot for matching a certain amount of numbers or symbols during a game. This jackpot increases in value over time, so the longer it goes without being claimed, the more it's worth.
Live dealer keno
A popular version of online keno is live dealer keno. This game is played with a live dealer and real casino equipment, giving you an immersive casino experience no matter where you are in the world.
