How to Play Keno?
Keno is a beloved casino game that is both easy and fun to play.
Follow the steps described below and learn how to play Keno like a pro in no time.
How to Play Keno?
The objective of a Keno game is to match as many numbers on your card with those that are drawn. The higher the number of matches, the more money you are likely to win. Since it is so simple to play, Keno is widely regarded as one of the best casino games for beginners.
You can play keno online or in a brick-and-mortar casino. The rules of the game are the same no matter where you play.
Here is how to get started.
1. Get a Keno card
A Keno card looks just like a bingo card, except it has 8 rows each with ten numbers.
2. Pick how many spots you want to play
Each number selected is called a keno spot and you are usually allowed to choose one to 10 spots.
3. Decide how much you want to wager on each game
You can also choose how many consecutive draws you want to play (from one to 20). So if you wager $1 on the numbers you selected and you choose to play 4 games, you need to pay $4.
4. Select your numbers
You can mark your numbers 1 to 80 but they must equal the number of spots you selected earlier. So if you chose 5 spots, pick 5 keno numbers.
As to the numbers, you can choose whichever ones you want. From birthdays to lucky and traditionally unlucky numbers — the possibilities are endless. And if you can’t decide, some establishments have a Quick Pick section allowing the computer to choose the numbers for you.
5. Watch the draw
The dealer or computer will draw 20 random numbers from a pool of 80. You win if some or all of your numbers match.
Keno Payouts
The amount you win depends on how many numbers match as well as the percentage of numbers hit. So if you picked five numbers and you got all five numbers, you would get a 50 to 1 payout. However, if you picked 10 numbers and only got five, the payout will be 3 to 1. You can read more about the odds here.
Payouts are also determined by the size of your bet—the more you wager, the more you will win.
How to Win at Keno?
Keno is a game of luck, but there are some things you can do to increase your chances of winning.
Play on verified sites
Online gambling in Canada is legal, but before playing on any online Keno website, make sure it is verified, licensed and legit. Do some research and read customer reviews to ensure that the website you are choosing to play on is fair as well as safe.
Look into the payouts
Each house is different when it comes to payouts, but try to play at establishments that have payouts over 80%.
Try the progressive jackpot
Many casino sites have progressive jackpots that increase if no one wins. The chances of hitting the jackpot might be slim, but there is still a chance, so why not take it?
Play the bonus
Most lotteries and casinos offer a bonus option that gives you the chance to multiply your winnings. The bonus comes up randomly before each drawing and in some cases can go up to $1m.
Check out our list of the best online casino sites in Canada to get your bonus today!
Try out different variations
More experienced Keno players can play way, combination or king tickets. The game becomes a bit more complicated since you have to keep track of more numbers, but you have more chances of winning. Plus, it makes the game more fun to play.
Practice with free games
Before playing Keno for real money, it’s a good idea to practice with free online apps or try video keno. This will help you become familiar with how the game works and give you a chance to hone in your skills before you start playing for real money.
Play responsibly
Keno is a game of luck, so it’s important to play responsibly. This means
- You shouldn’t chase losses or bet more than you can afford to lose. The number of problem gamblers in Canada may be low, but that is no reason to relax and wager more than your budget allows.
- You should set limits and stick to them
Remember that the house has an edge over players in almost every casino game so don’t think you can beat the house.
FAQ
Ideally, you should play four to eight numbers. The more numbers you pick, the more chances you have of winning, however, the payout in keno drops as the number of spots increases. In other words, anything under four seriously decreases your chances of winning, while picking over 8 spots means you have to get at least four numbers to make a profit.
Since this is a game of luck, there is little you can do to affect the outcome. However, when it comes to how to play Keno and win, there are several strategies and tickets you can play, although these are not recommended for beginners as they might find it hard to follow all the number combinations.