It won’t often be thought of as the funnest game in the arena of wagering, but keno has huge amounts of fanatical fans. And it ought to! It’s a routinely exciting lottery-type game that’s simple to master, readily available in tons of alternate formats, and one that can return millions for people who master its endless subtle nuances. But let’s start with the basic rules here.
When defining keno to amateurs, some betting pros compare it to lotto. This is at least partly correct, in that both games are generally numerical. But to take that comparison too far will be to undervalue the innumerable unique characteristics that make keno so entertaining. Not like bingo, keno users have the ability to choose the numbers for every card.
Keno cards have a total of 80 numbers, but the gambler is granted an extra degree of personal responsibility by being able to determine as many (or as few) numbers as he needs. And it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to ascertain how to fill out a card: all you do is circle or otherwise mark all your handpicked numbers with a normal#2 pencil like you used back in school.
Once you’ve checked your numbers, carry your card back to the clerk at the keno booth. The girl will record those numbers and then hand you a receipt. Don’t lose this (potentially) valuable bit of paper! Even if the clerk remembers your mug and wants help out, without a winning ticket with you, you will get precisely $.00 for your actions.
And there you have strategy numero uno: always make sure to keep your keno ticket. Let us get on to something a little bit more complex, yes?
After you’ve selected your numbers, settle into a comfy keno booth and watch the action happen on a big video monitor. That is where the winning numbers appear for all to see. If you’ve got winners, mark your card appropriately. Be sure not to dilly dally, or sit there congratulating yourself for an obnoxious length of time. You are required to get back to the keno booth to get your winnings, since a new round of keno will surely start up within 5 minutes.
Strategy #2: always make it back to the keno stand on time!
Since you do not trust yourself to beat that 5 minute deadline every time, you always have the option of using a "multi-race" card. These include the same set of your selected numbers on anywhere from 2 to twenty cards. When the maximum amount of rounds (the same as the number of tickets) is played out, you can then get off your lazy back side and go collect your winnings.
Yet another alternative is known as a "stray and play" keno ticket, which usually allows you make number selection for 30 keno games or more. Gosh, you can take vacation to Italy and not have to fret about getting back in time to redeem your winnings. Most "stray and play" cards are good for up to a whole year after you purchase it!
So now you are aware of several necessary techniques for winning keno. If you are an advanced gambler, they might seem to be quite obvious. However, it does not hurt to bone up on the basic techniques, and if you are a new player, every bit of information will help make your keno gambling more agreeable.