It won’t often be looked at as the most fun game in the world of betting, but keno has tons of devoted followers. As well it should! It’s a regularly entertaining lottery-esque game that’s a snap to learn, readily available in a number of different formats, and one that will return millions of dollars for players who master its countless subtle nuances. But let’s deal with the beginner’s rules here.
When explaining keno to newcomers, some betting pros compare it to bingo. This is at least in part correct, in that both games are generally numerical. However, to take that comparison too far will be to discount the good many unique characteristics that make keno so entertaining. Unlike bingo, keno users have the freedom to choose the numbers for each card.
Keno cards have a total of 80 numbers, but the gambler is given an extra degree of personal responsibility by being able to determine as many (or as few) numbers as she desires. And it doesn’t take a keno superstar to determine how to fill out a card: all you do is circle or otherwise mark each of your picked numbers with a standardmarker like you used when you were a kid.
Now that you’ve marked your numbers, take the keno card back to the girl at the keno booth. The clerk will record your numbers and then hand you a receipt. Do not misplace this (potentially) expensive piece of paper! Even if the clerk remembers your pretty face and wants help out, without a winning receipt with you, you will win precisely $.00 for your efforts.
Now there you have strategy number one: always make sure to keep your keno receipt. Let’s advance to something a little more advanced, shall we?
Once you’ve checked off your numbers, get into a nice keno booth and see the action take place on a monitor. That’s where the winning numbers are displayed for all to see. If you picked winning numbers, mark your card appropriately. Sake care not to take your time, or sit there praising yourself for an obnoxious length of time. You need to get up to the keno stand to get your winnings, as a new drawing will likely get going within not too many minutes.
Strategy number 2: always get back to the keno stand on time!
Since you can not trust yourself to meet that five-minute deadline each time, you always have the option of purchasing a "multi-race" card. These include the self same set of your handpicked numbers on anywhere from 2 to 20 slips. When the maximum number of keno games (the same as the number of tickets) is finished, you can then get off your lazy butt and go retrieve your winnings.
Another alternative is known as a "stray and play" keno card, which usually allows you make number selection for 30 rounds or more. Golly, you can take a Swedish massage and not have to fret about getting back in time to collect your numbers. Most "stray and play" slips are good for up to a whole year after you purchase it!
So now you have learned a couple of needed strategies for winning keno. If you are an advanced gambler, they might seem to be very obvious. However, it will never hurt to bone up on the basic practices, and if you are a new gambler, every little bit of direction will help make your keno wagering more enjoyable.