Keno
Keno is undoubtedly a game for the Lotto enthusiast. It’s easy, exciting and takes only minutes to master. Mass appeal of the game can be attributed to fact that Keno is a game of chance. Anybody can play and just about anybody can win! Keno gained mass appeal from its onset in the Far East and has remained popular ever since. Whether you play land based Keno games or prefer to play at a casino or online, our guide gets you started step by step with the fundamentals of betting, basic strategy and a Keno glossary. Get to know the game of Keno below.
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Page Topics Keno – History, Legend and the Essentials of Play
The lottery-like game of Keno - French for quinne or five winning numbers - originates from Ancient China, namely from the Han Dynasty during which it is widely believed that the Chinese leader Cheung Heung developed the game around 187 BC. Lacking funds as a result of a prolonged war, Heung opted to introduce the new game as a means of generating much needed revenue instead of raising taxes. Popular legend would also have us believe the game in fact saved the entire ancient city while at war and that funds appropriated from its widespread and enthusiastic play actually helped construct the Great Wall of China. The game was played much like the game of Keno we know today.
However accurate or inaccurate Keno fables may be we do know the game emerged in the West by way of Chinese immigrants who came to American to work on the trans-continental railroad.
Now popular the world over, Keno whether played traditionally in land casinos or online, holds mass appeal for its ease and obvious similarities to both bingo and the lottery. Keno only takes a matter of minutes to learn and understand and operates on the premise of a random draw, again much like bingo and local lotteries.
The main difference and advantage online Keno holds over its predecessors is the play anytime anywhere factor. Unlike bingo and lotto, internet Keno and online Keno games are played under the jurisdiction of the online casino hosting the game and are not presided over by federal or state governments or subject to licensing laws. Players are able to play at any time from any location alone and against the house – in this case the online casino.
Conversely, traditional Keno at land casinos uses a glass circular device referred to as a ‘bubble’ to act as an enclosure for 80 round balls resembling ping pong balls, numbered 1to 80 for the draw. During a ball draw, a blower pushes air into the bubble and mixes all the balls up. A ‘Caller’ presses a lever opening a tube, where the balls lift one at a time into a ‘V’ shaped tube called the ‘Rabbit Ears’. The Caller and a Verifier record the numbers of each of 20 balls drawn, and the computerized Keno system calculates all wagers based on the ball draw.
In an online draw, the gaming software executes the ball draw and the payout of all wagers for the player.
Online Keno – The Basics and Getting Started
Playing online Keno holds many similarities to playing at a land based casino. The player is presented 80 numbers on a console and must select up to 10 of those numbers for the impending ball draw. At a land based location, the player would receive a ticket printed with 80 numbers and manually select numbers there from. The outcome of a ball draw is determined by one of the following devices:
Traditional ‘Rabbit Ear’ Blower: ‘AKV’ - Automated blower in which the balls are encoded, read by a computer, then sent to a computerized Keno system for processing
Random Number Generator: An electronic number selection device approved by gaming authorities.
Hand Cage: A spinning metal ball cage which rolls the numbers into a slot where they are validated by a person.
Online: the gaming software selects these numbers randomly, and the online Keno player can choose to bet on anywhere between 1 and 10 numbers that he or she believes will come up.
Online Keno Rules – A Step by Step Guide of How to Bet and Play
Learning the how to’s of online Keno is a simple undertaking as the rules are few, limited and lack complexity.
A ‘Hit’ – the object of the game - occurs when a player’s chosen number matches a number that has been generated, either by a manual or electronic Keno ball draw device. The payout for hitting a particular number depends on which amount was wagered by the player - ‘Bet $1’, ‘Bet $3’ or ‘Bet 5’ – Bet 5 usually being the max bet in most online Keno games. Other determining payout factors include how many numbers between 1 and 10 a player selects in total and how many of these numbers result in a ‘Hit’.
A player’s first step is to choose Keno numbers from the board or console. In some internet Keno games, it is also possible for the computer to randomly select 10 numbers for the player. If available, this option should appear as ‘Automatic Deal 10 Numbers’ or a word combination to that effect. When the number is selected on the console, it will light up to indicate it has been selected. When playing online Keno, a payout table is usually located to the left of the number console on your screen.
After having selected numbers, the player can then choose the wager amount. As depicted on the console above, the player can wager between £1 and £5 pounds per online Keno game.
The next step is for the player to select how many games to play. ‘Play One’ and ‘Play Five’ are clearly marked. ‘Play One’, as the name suggests, effects one game of online Keno with the numbers selected by the player or automatically by the software. ‘Play 5’, if selected, would effect 5 consecutive games based on the same 10 numbers. To keep using the same numbers over and over again, the player simply needs to select ‘Play 5’ at the end of each 5 game run. When a draw takes places, the results are posted to the right of the number board in a table labeled ‘Results’. The number of hits appears on the board alongside the round number so players can keep track of many of their chosen number have resulted in a hit.
In land based Keno games, players mark an ‘X’ over numbered boxes on Keno tickets printed with numbers 1-80 to indicate which numbers they have selected. Once the Keno draw is closed, the casino or local gaming authority effects the 20 ball draw at random. The numbers are either called or projected onto a screen for players to check their tickets accordingly for hits.
Payouts are determined by each casino or gaming authority and pay tables are made known to players prior to Keno ball draws. Players are paid according to how many hits they have (on either their ticket or the online Keno board) and the institution’s pay table. Note that payouts and house edge greatly differ from casino to casino and it is common for casinos and local gaming authorities to offer specialty Keno bets or systems and combinations for players to choose from.
Online Keno Strategy
Internet Keno or online Keno strategy is about as simple as the game it itself. Firstly, players should carefully select which site meets their Keno needs before deposits cash randomly at a host of online casinos. Factors such as bet minimums and maximums are fundamental when deciding where to play and how much to wager.
Another strategy is to firmly determine the size of your bankroll. It is of paramount importance to calculate how much you can afford to wager and to lose to still remain in the game, so to speak. We have established that online Keno played at any casino is a game of chance and as such, loss should be factored into any strategic approach to play.
When deconstructing and considering online Keno probabilities, it must be noted that there are over 3 quintillion different combinations that can come up during the course of one ball draw. This figure is mind boggling and instead of devising some sort of complex system or strategy to employ, which would in practice have very little potential to yield serious winnings, it is simpler to employ a series of basic tips and guidelines to your Keno game for greater success.
Important Internet Keno and Online Keno Tips
When placing online Keno bets, it is favorable to bet big to win big, no matter the size of your bankroll. Most online Keno games have a maximum bet limit of 5 – be it dollars, Euros or Pounds. Even if your bankroll is relatively low, opting to bet max may result in higher winning and inject much needed cash into your bankroll. The minimum bet option may prove too little in the long run when losses are factored into the overall equation, rendering you bankrupt before your time.
Picking your numbers sounds easy and it is, but making the right selection when it comes to number count is all down to how many to select. It’s easy to work out – the more numbers you pick, the more potential for hits to occur overall. Keno is however, as we know, a game of chance and all number selection is entirely random. The outcome of any Keno game is too difficult to predict, so luck really does need to be on your side more so than any strategy in this case.
Traditional Keno – A Land Based Lottery
In addition to the popularity and proliferation of internet Keno and online Keno games, lottery-like versions of Keno are now staple components of many National Lottery schedules around the globe. Keno draws, in this case, are governed by Federal and State Laws which stipulate payout amounts and attract revenue from ticket sales. Draws and winning numbers are often televised in the case of weekly and bi weekly draws, while fast games often display draw results on monitors at point of sale locations such as gambling halls, bars and even convenience stores. This visibility and accessibility of Keno is testament to the game’s widespread play and influence. Leading online gaming and casino websites also prominently feature Keno in their game schedules.
Keno Terms – All the Lingo You’ll Need for Land Based, Internet Keno and Online Keno Games
call-or-spot
The numbers drawn in each Keno game.
Draw
The collective 20 numbers that are drawn during each Keno game.
Hit
When a selected number matches a number drawn in a Keno ball draw.
Keno Board
The electronic board that shows the drawn or winning Keno numbers.
Number Pool
The numbers 1 to 80 from which Keno players chose their numbers.
payout-table
specifies how much money you receive for each winning outcome. If it does not appear in the table, not payout is to be expected.
Round
A ball draw of 20 Keno numbers.
Straight Keno
The most basic of Keno games. Straight Keno is played by marking off an amount of numbers on a Keno ticket.
Online Keno – Quality Places to Play and Enjoy the Game
EuroGrand Casino
EuroGrand showcases two kinds of online Keno – classic Keno and Keno Xperiment - a fast paced variation which allows Keno enthusiasts to up the pace of their game by selecting the random pick option. The software generates the numbers randomly and as with classic Keno, the player can wager between £1 and £5 (Max Bet) each round.
Both Keno games are well presented with clear graphics and attractive colour schemes. The classic Keno board appears in EuroGrand’s trademark black and gold, while Keno Xperiment has more of a vamped up high tech feel, incorporating neon blues with yellow and red.
If you’re new to Keno, start with the classic and get to know how simple the game really is. Be aware of hits and payouts and track your results from round to round. Take advantage of EuroGrand Casino’s help options and enjoy the benefits of a premier online casino.
32Vegas
Renown for being laid back and comfortable, 32Vegas is an online casino close to many a punter’s heart. The graphics are smooth and the gaming software is streamlined, combining practicality with quality to create a comfy place for you get on with the game.
Online Keno at 32Vegas is crisp and concise. The Keno board is large, inviting and crystal clear. A hit is clearly marked on the board with a star, making it visible to the player and is advantageously positioned alongside the payout table. A tip for Keno newcomers is to play in full screen mode and enjoy the effect of seeing your stars light up on hits.
Enjoy Keno and Keno Xperiment, a supercharged edition of the game, with all the comforts you’re accustomed to at 32Vegas.
Prestige Casino
Prestige Casino combines old world charm and refinement with the use of advanced technology to elevate its games to an unparalleled level of online gaming chic. Download of software is efficient and also available in Flash version, so you can start playing all your favourite games in a matter of moments.
Rounds of online Keno at Prestige are high-end and graphics are exceptional. The Keno board is attractive and sophisticated, and in tune with the top shelf reputation of the casino on a whole. The user interface is solid; the menu system is easy to navigate and the software performs impeccably.
Classic Keno and Keno Xperiment are on offer so player’s can combine all the thrill and excitement of Keno with the distinguished atmosphere only Prestige Casino can bring.
