It won’t often be seen as the sexiest game in the realm of gaming, but keno has huge amounts of steadfast fans. As well it should! It’s a consistently entertaining lotto-like game that’s easy to master, abundantly available in loads of alternate styles, and one that might pay out mega-dollars for people who master its uncounted subtle intricacies. But let’s start with the basics here.
When describing keno to novices, some gambling pros compare it to the lottery. This is at least partially apt, in that each game is basically numerical. Yet to take that comparison too far is likely to be to misunderstand the innumerable unique characteristics that make keno so fun. Not like bingo, keno gamblers have the power to pick the numbers for every card.
Keno cards have a total of eighty numbers, but the gambler is given an increased degree of personal responsibility by being able to pick as numerous (or as few) numbers as she thinks is appropriate. And it doesn’t take a genius to come up with how to fill out a card: all you do is circle or otherwise mark each of your picked numbers with a ordinarymarker like you had when you were in school.
Now that you’ve picked your numbers, take your game card back to the clerk at the keno stand. The clerk will record those numbers and then hand you a receipt. Do not drop this (potentially) valuable bit of paper! Even if the keno pit manager remembers your face and wants help out, without a winning ticket in hand, you will collect exactly $.00 for your actions.
And there you have strategy #1: always make sure to keep your keno ticket. Let’s go on to something a little bit more advanced, yes?
After you’ve picked your numbers, get into a nice keno booth and observe the action unfold on a monitor. This is where the winning numbers appear in lights. If you checked winners, mark your card accordingly. Make sure not to drag your feet, or sit there praising yourself for an obnoxious length of time. You are required to get back to the keno stand to collect your winnings, and a new round of keno will almost certainly start up within a few minutes.
Strategy #2: always be sure to get back to the keno stand on time!
Since you can not trust yourself to make that 5 minute deadline every time, you always retain the option of purchasing a "multi-race" card. These include the same set of your desired numbers on anywhere from 2 to twenty cards. When the max amount of games (matching the amount of tickets) is played, you will then be able to get off your lazy rump and go redeem your winnings.
Yet another choice is recognized as a "stray and play" keno ticket, which commonly lets you make number choices for thirty keno rounds or more. Heck, you can take vacation to Greece and not have to get uptight about getting back in time to retrieve your winnings. Most "stray and play" game cards are good for up to a whole year after it’s purchased!
So now you are aware of a handful of essential schemes for winning keno. If you are an advanced keno player, they might appear to be very obvious. But it doesn’t hurt to study up on the fundamentals, and if you are a new keno player, every little bit of direction will help make your keno playing time more entertaining.