Amidst the diverse array of casino games that entice players with promises of excitement and fortune, keno stands out as a unique and somewhat intriguing choice. Offering an alluring combination of the thrill of a lottery with the power of strategic decision-making, keno has managed to captivate novice and new players alike, evolving into a modern classic. An undeniably fun game, if you want to play keno online, this is your ultimate guide. We’ll be giving you a useful and easy-to-read run through of everything you need to keep in mind, whether you’re a newbie or seasoned player in need of a few refreshers.
The History of Keno
Before we can uncover all the delightful intricacies of Keno and equip you with the knowledge and strategies to play like a pro, it’s important to understand how it came about and what exactly it entails. Keno is one of the oldest gambling games in existence, with its origins dating back to ancient China some 2000 years ago. They say that the lottery-style game was created as a way to help raise funds for various public projects, including the construction of the Great Wall. In fact, the game’s original name, “baige piao”, translates to “white pigeon ticket”, refers to the method they used to draw the winning numbers.
As more and more Chinese immigrants made their way to the Western world, keno began to spread beyond its country, making its way to the United States in the 19th century. It was here that the game underwent some changes in name and format, adapting to its new audience and evolving into the keno we know and love today. However, it wasn’t until the advent of the internet that keno truly gained momentum, allowing people to access the game from the comfort of their homes at any time of the day.
What Is Keno ?
Keno shares a lot of similarities with Lotto, as it involves picking numbers from a set range and hoping they match the numbers drawn at random. In a typical game of keno, there are 80 numbers available for players to choose from, the number of which may vary depending on the game but is generally between 1 and 15. The numbers selected are traditionally marked by a crayon, similar to a bingo dabber, and are called spots. However, in online keno games, players can select their keno spots by clicking their mouse.
A keno payout table will then appear on the screen, illustrating how much a player stands to win if they successfully match a certain number of numbers. Once this is done, a virtual machine known as a hopper will draw 20 numbers; however, in a brick-and-mortar casino, the draw is done using numbered balls. The numbers drawn will appear somewhere on the screen, and if it’s a successful match, they will be highlighted in some way.
Payouts in keno will vary depending on how many of your selected numbers match the draw and the number of numbers bet. Of course, the more matches you have, the higher your potential payout will be. However, there are a few variants that also reward matching zero numbers if players pick above a certain amount.
Many keno games offer different betting options, allowing players to adapt their bets to better suit their strategies and preferences. These types of bets can include way bets, which refer to when players pick a group of numbers and then break them down into subgroups. As well as a king ticket bet, which is when players choose a single number, known as the king, that must appear in all their groups.
How To Win
Keno is a game of pure randomness, and while there are strategies that players can use to help predict patterns and enhance their chances of success, keno draws are completely random, so there’s no foolproof method for winning. As such, the best keno strategy remains to go with whatever bet type or number selection method you feel most comfortable with, as a player who studies keno payout charts is not more likely to win than a player picking numbers at random.
