It will not ordinarily be deemed the most fun game in the arena of betting, but keno has millions and millions of dedicated players. As well it should! It’s a consistently thrilling lotto-style game that’s easy to learn, abundantly available in a number of alternate styles, and one that may yield millions for people who master its numerous subtle nuances. But let’s start with the basic rules for now.
When describing keno to amateurs, some betting pros compare it to the lottery. This is at least to a certain extent correct, in that each game is fundamentally numerical. However, to carry that comparison too far will be to detract from the countless unique traits that make keno so fun. Not like bingo, keno players have the freedom to select the numbers for every card.
Keno cards have a total of eighty numbers, but the gambler is furnished with an additional level of personal responsibility by being able to pick as numerous (or as few) numbers as she needs. And it doesn’t take a keno superstar to determine how to fill out a card: all you do is circle or otherwise mark all your selected numbers with a normal#2 pencil like you had when you were in grade 3.
After you’ve checked your numbers, carry your keno card back to the keno pit manager at the keno stand. The clerk will record your numbers and then give you a receipt. Don’t lose this (potentially) expensive bit of paper! Even if the clerk remembers you and would like to help out, without a winning slip in hand, you will get exactly $.00 for your time spent.
Now there you have strategy number one: always take care to keep your keno slip. Let’s move to something a bit more complex, yes?
Once you’ve picked your numbers, get into a comfy keno booth and see the action happen on a monitor. That’s where the winning numbers appear for us. If you checked winning numbers, mark your card accordingly. Be sure not to take your time, or sit there congratulating yourself for an obnoxious length of time. You need to get back to the keno booth to get your winnings, as a new keno game will likely start within five minutes.
Strategy #2: always make sure to get back to the keno booth on time!
Assuming you don’t trust yourself to beat that five-minute margin each and every time, you always have the option of using a "multi-race" ticket. These include the same set of your selected numbers on anywhere from two to twenty tickets. When the maximum number of games (matching the number of tickets) is finished, you will then be able to get off your numb butt and go retrieve your winnings.
Yet an additional alternative is referred to as a "stray and play" keno card, which generally lets you make number selection for 30 keno rounds or more. Gosh, you can take all the time in the world and not have to worry about getting back in time to collect your winnings. Most "stray and play" tickets are good for up to a whole year after it’s purchased!
And now you have learned a couple necessary strategies for winning keno. If you are an accomplished player, they might seem to be very obvious. But it does not hurt to brush up on the basic practices, and if you are a beginner user, every bit of information will help make your keno experience more fun.