What is Keno, and how is it played?
What is Keno? Keno is a fast-paced, lottery-style casino game similar to (but distinct from) bingo. It is a great choice for players who enjoy playing with numbers and crossing their fingers for a win. Thanks to its simple gameplay and potential for big payouts, Keno has been steadily growing in popularity in both online and land-based casinos. Are you wondering how to play Keno? Here is everything you need to know before you play.
What is Keno?
Most historians agree that Keno originated in ancient China. In fact, it is rumoured that the game was used to raise funds for the construction of the Great Wall of China! The game that today’s players know is a modern version that has been adapted for Keno online UK play.
How does Keno work? If you’ve ever taken part in a lottery, playing the game should be quite intuitive for you. Players receive a ticket, typically with 80 numbers, and pick anywhere from 10 to 20 numbers. Once all numbers have been chosen, 20 random numbers are selected at random, and the player with the most matching numbers between their ticket and the lucky numbers wins.
How is Keno played?
Are you wondering how to win at Keno? The good news is that Keno game rules are very easy to understand. The game is quick to learn, even for beginners, and we’ll take you through it step by step so you know exactly what to do when it’s time to play. Before you read through these steps, however, we want to note that there are a variety of Keno variants, such as Classic Keno, Live Keno, and Power Keno, all with their own twists.
The LeoVegas team will give you the most common rules below, but make sure you read through your game’s specific instructions to ensure you’re playing accurately.
- First, you’ll select your numbers, from one to 20, out of a pool of 80.
- Next, you’ll decide how much money you want to bet and record your stake.
- Once all numbers have been chosen and bets have been determined, the game randomly draws 20 numbers using a random number generator (RNG).
- Players receive payouts according to how many matching numbers they have. The more matching numbers you have, the higher your payout will be.
Finally, let’s talk about online Keno vs live Keno. The games are largely the same, with the main difference being the ticket and how it is displayed. In online live casino games, it is displayed on a computer screen, whereas in-person Keno is played on paper tickets.
Payouts and odds in Keno
Your payouts depend on how many of the Keno numbers you picked match the randomly drawn 20 winning numbers. Note that although the odds typically favour the house, big wins are still possible.
The chart below lists win amounts for two through four matching numbers:
These payouts differ dramatically when you match fewer numbers than you picked:
| Numbers Picked | Matching Numbers | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 |
| Numbers Picked | Matching Numbers | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 2 to 1 |
| 4 | 2 | 2 to 1 |
| 5 | 2 | 2 to 1 |
| 6 | 2 | 1 to 1 |
| 7 | 4 | 3 to 1 |
The odds of landing specific Keno numbers depend on the numbers picked versus the number of matching numbers desired. As you can see, the more numbers picked and matched, the greater the odds will be. Here are the odds for one through five picked and matched numbers:
| Numbers Picked | Matching Numbers | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 in 4 |
| 2 | 2 | 1 in 17 |
| 3 | 3 | 1 in 73 |
| 4 | 4 | 1 in 327 |
| 5 | 5 | 1 in 1,551 |
Popular Keno strategies and tips
Keno is a game of chance, not skill. Strategies don’t increase your chances of winning, but there are still a few strategies players can use to keep track of their wins and losses. These include choosing a consistent set of numbers per round, playing either fewer or more numbers (which affects odds and payouts as described above), and managing their bankrolls carefully. Be cautious of believing any myths regarding Keno patterns and number frequency as the game is entirely random.
Pros and cons of playing Keno
One of the biggest advantages of Keno is how simple it is to play. This makes it a great choice for beginners. The fast-paced and fun gameplay is another huge positive, as is the low minimum bet requirement. Keno also offers potentially big wins, even on small wagers, so it suits all kinds of budgets.
One of the biggest disadvantages of Keno is the high house edge. If you’re looking for great odds, you won’t find them here. There is no real skill or strategy involved in improving them, and it’s easy to get carried away due to the fast game speed.
Where to play Keno at LeoVegas
At LeoVegas, we have a wide variety of Keno and Keno-style games in both our casino and live casino sections. You might consider exploring our Lotto or Instant Win categories in particular. Just make sure you play responsibly and use our safe play features, such as deposit and session limits, to keep losses in check.