How to Play Keno: Rules, Odds & Strategy Guide
Keno is the casino's version of a lottery. Pick some numbers, watch a draw, and hope your numbers come up. It is simple, relaxing, and offers the potential for large payouts on small bets. It also has one of the highest house edges in the casino.
This guide covers everything about Keno: how to play, what the odds really are, and whether this game deserves a place in your casino experience.
Table of Contents
- What Is Keno?
- How to Play
- Keno Payouts
- Understanding the Odds
- Types of Keno Bets
- Video Keno vs. Live Keno
- Keno Strategy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
What Is Keno?
Keno is a lottery-style gambling game where players select numbers from a field (typically 1-80) and win based on how many of their numbers match the randomly drawn numbers.
Origins and History
Keno has ancient Chinese origins, reportedly dating back over 2,000 years. Legend says it helped fund the Great Wall of China. The game came to America with Chinese immigrants in the 19th century and evolved into its modern casino form.
Early American Keno used Chinese characters, which were later replaced with numbers. The game became a casino staple in Nevada after gambling legalization in 1931.
Why People Play Keno
Low stakes: Play for as little as $1 per game.
Big potential payouts: Some Keno games offer payouts of $100,000 or more on small bets.
Relaxed pace: Games run every few minutes. No rush, no pressure.
Simplicity: Pick numbers and wait. No strategy decisions.
Multi-tasking: In casinos, you can play Keno while eating, drinking, or playing other games.
How to Play
Keno is straightforward once you understand the basics.
The Keno Board
A standard Keno board displays numbers 1 through 80 in a grid. You mark the numbers you want to play.
Step-by-Step
1. Get a Keno ticket Pick up a blank Keno ticket at the Keno lounge or from a Keno runner.
2. Select your numbers Mark between 1 and 20 numbers (called "spots") on the ticket. Most players choose 4-10 numbers.
3. Choose your wager Decide how much to bet. Minimums are typically $1-$2.
4. Specify number of games You can play your numbers for multiple consecutive games (multi-race tickets).
5. Submit your ticket Give your marked ticket to a Keno writer who will issue an official ticket.
6. Watch the draw Twenty numbers are randomly drawn from the 80-number field.
7. Check your results Compare your selected numbers to the drawn numbers. Wins are paid based on how many "catches" (matches) you have.
The Drawing Process
In live Keno, twenty numbered balls are randomly selected from a container holding 80 balls. In video Keno, a random number generator selects 20 numbers from 80.
Either way, exactly 20 of the 80 numbers are drawn each game.
Keno Payouts
Payouts vary dramatically based on how many numbers you pick and how many you catch.
Sample Pay Table (6-Spot Game)
| Catches | Typical Payout (per $1 bet) |
|---|---|
| 6 of 6 | $1,500 |
| 5 of 6 | $85 |
| 4 of 6 | $4 |
| 3 of 6 | $1 |
| 2 of 6 | $0 |
| 1 of 6 | $0 |
| 0 of 6 | $0 |
Sample Pay Table (10-Spot Game)
| Catches | Typical Payout (per $1 bet) |
|---|---|
| 10 of 10 | $100,000 |
| 9 of 10 | $5,000 |
| 8 of 10 | $500 |
| 7 of 10 | $75 |
| 6 of 10 | $10 |
| 5 of 10 | $2 |
| 4 of 10 | $0 |
| 0 of 10 | $5 |
Note: Pay tables vary significantly between casinos and games. Always check the specific pay table before playing.
"Catching Zero" Payouts
Some games pay a small amount for catching zero numbers on high-spot tickets. The logic: catching none of your 10 numbers is nearly as rare as catching all 10.
Understanding the Odds
Keno has terrible odds compared to other casino games. Understanding why helps set appropriate expectations.
House Edge
Typical Keno house edge: 25-35%
Compare this to:
- Blackjack: 0.5%
- Roulette: 2.7-5.26%
- Slot machines: 5-15%
Keno returns 65-75 cents of every dollar wagered over time. This is among the worst value in the casino.
Probability Examples
Catching 6 of 6: Probability: approximately 1 in 7,753
Catching 10 of 10: Probability: approximately 1 in 8.9 million
Catching 5 of 5: Probability: approximately 1 in 1,551
Why the House Edge Is So High
The payouts do not match the true odds. A 6-spot paying $1,500 for catching all 6 should pay approximately $7,753 at fair odds. The gap between fair odds and actual payouts creates the house edge.
True Odds vs. Payouts
| Catch | True Odds | Fair Payout | Typical Payout | Casino Profit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/6 | 7,753:1 | $7,753 | $1,500 | 81% |
| 5/5 | 1,551:1 | $1,551 | $800 | 48% |
| 10/10 | 8.9M:1 | $8.9M | $100,000 | 99% |
The casino keeps a massive percentage of theoretical winnings across all outcomes.
Types of Keno Bets
Beyond straight tickets, Keno offers several bet variations.
Straight Tickets
The basic bet: select your numbers, and winnings depend only on catches.
Way Tickets
Group your numbers into multiple combinations on one ticket. For example, pick 8 numbers divided into two groups of 4. You are now playing:
- Two 4-spot games
- One 8-spot game
Way tickets let you cover multiple combinations without buying separate tickets.
Combination Tickets
Similar to way tickets but with more complex groupings. You can play various combinations of your selected numbers.
King Tickets
Designate one number as the "King" that appears in all combinations. Example: Mark numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 as a group with 5 as the King. You play:
- A 5-spot (1-2-3-4-5)
- A 4-spot (1-2-3-4) plus King
- Multiple 2-spots and 3-spots including the King
Multi-Race Tickets
Play your numbers for multiple consecutive games. Mark 20 races, submit once, and your ticket is valid for all 20 drawings.
Special Tickets
Some casinos offer themed tickets:
- Top/Bottom: Bet whether more drawn numbers will be in the top 40 or bottom 40
- Edge tickets: Play only edge numbers on the board
- Progressive tickets: Linked to a growing jackpot
Video Keno vs. Live Keno
Keno exists in two primary formats.
Live Keno
How it works: A Keno lounge hosts regular drawings (every 5-15 minutes). Players submit paper tickets and watch numbers drawn on monitors.
Advantages:
- Social atmosphere
- Can play while doing other activities
- Traditional casino experience
Disadvantages:
- Slow pace (4-12 games per hour)
- Must physically be in the casino
- Fixed schedule
Video Keno
How it works: Electronic machines (similar to slot machines) run individual Keno games on demand. You play against a random number generator.
Advantages:
- Faster pace (as fast as you can press buttons)
- Available in many casino locations
- Lower minimum bets at some machines
- Slightly better pay tables sometimes
Disadvantages:
- Can lose money faster due to speed
- Less social
- No physical balls drawn
House Edge Comparison
Video Keno typically has slightly better odds than live Keno, though both remain poor:
- Video Keno: 8-25% house edge (varies widely)
- Live Keno: 25-35% house edge
Always check the pay table. Video Keno machines display payouts clearly.
Keno Strategy
There is no strategy that overcomes Keno's house edge. However, some approaches are better than others.
What Does NOT Work
Lucky numbers: The draw is random. Birthdays, anniversaries, and "hot" numbers have no mathematical advantage.
Pattern tracking: Previous draws do not influence future draws. The balls have no memory.
Number systems: No combination of number selection beats the mathematical house edge.
Betting systems: Martingale, Fibonacci, and other progressions do not overcome the edge.
What Marginally Helps
Play video Keno with good pay tables: Some video Keno machines have house edges around 8% instead of 30%. This is still bad but much better.
Choose games with better pay tables: Compare pay tables between casinos and games. Small differences add up.
Play fewer spots: Games with fewer numbers (3-6 spots) typically have lower house edges than games with many numbers (10-20 spots).
Bankroll Management
Since Keno cannot be beaten, focus on entertainment value:
Set a strict budget: Decide how much Keno entertainment is worth to you.
Play slowly: In live Keno, each game takes 5-10 minutes. Enjoy the pace.
Accept the cost: At a 30% house edge, expect to lose $30 of every $100 wagered over time.
Honest Assessment
Keno is entertainment, not investment. If you enjoy the lottery-like excitement and relaxed pace, play with money you can afford to lose. If you want good gambling value, play almost any other game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Keno is the casino's lottery. Pick numbers, watch a draw, hope for the best. It is simple, relaxing, and offers jackpot potential on small bets. It also has the worst odds of any major casino game.
Key facts:
- House edge: 25-35% (live) or 8-25% (video)
- No strategy reduces the house edge
- All number selections have equal probability
- Maximum jackpots require hitting extremely unlikely outcomes
If you play Keno:
- Accept it as entertainment, not investment
- Check pay tables and choose the best available
- Play video Keno with good pay tables when possible
- Set a budget and stick to it
- Enjoy the relaxed pace
If you want better odds:
- Almost every other casino game offers better value
- Blackjack, baccarat, craps, and even slots beat Keno mathematically
Keno exists for players who enjoy lottery-style gambling and don't mind paying for the experience. If that describes you, play responsibly and enjoy the anticipation of each draw. Just don't confuse Keno with smart gambling—the numbers make that impossible.
Good luck with your picks.