It won’t generally be thought of as the most lucrative game in the field of wagering, but keno has millions of fanatical players. And it ought to! It’s a routinely entertaining lottery-esque game that’s a snap to pickup, abundantly available in many alternate variations, and one that will yield mega-dollars for gamblers who learn its endless subtle nuances. But let’s start with the basic rules for now.
When defining keno to newcomers, some wagering pros compare it to lotto. This is at least to a certain degree correct, in that both games are basically numerical. But to carry that comparison too far would be to minimize the great many unique traits that make keno so entertaining. Not like bingo, keno players have the power to pick the numbers for each and every card.
Keno cards have a grand total of eighty numbers, but the player is granted an additional level of personal responsibility by being able to choose as numerous (or as few) numbers as he feels they need. And it doesn’t take a nuclear physicist to come up with how to fill out a card: all you do is circle or otherwise mark all of your chosen numbers with a normalmarker like you had when you were in school.
Once you’ve picked your numbers, take the keno card back to the nice person at the keno booth. The nice person will record your numbers and then hand you a receipt. Make sure no to drop this (potentially) valuable piece of paper! Even if the clerk remembers your pretty face and wants help out, without a winning receipt in hand, you will get exactly $.00 for your winning card.
OK, so there you have strategy numero uno: always make sure to keep your keno receipt. Let’s get on to something a little bit more useful, ok?
Now that you’ve checked off your numbers, get into a comfortable keno booth and watch the action take place on the screen. That’s where the winning numbers appear for us. If you checked winners, mark your card accordingly. Sake care not to take too much time, or sit there praising yourself for too great a length of time. You are required to get back to the keno stand to get your winnings, and a new drawing will likely start up within five minutes.
Strategy number 2: always make sure to get back to the keno booth on time!
Since you do not trust yourself to meet that 5 minute margin every time, you always retain the option of using a "multi-race" ticket. These include the self same set of your chosen numbers on anywhere from 2 to twenty slips. When the max number of rounds (matching the number of tickets) is played, you may then get off your lazy rump and go collect your winnings.
Yet another opportunity is known as a "stray and play" keno ticket, which generally allows you make number picks for thirty rounds or more. Golly, you can take a Swedish massage and not have to worry about getting back in time to get your winnings. Most "stray and play" game tickets are good for up to a whole year after purchase!
So now you know a couple required techniques for winning keno. If you are a knowledgeable keno player, they may seem incredibly obvious. However, it will not hurt to study up on the fundamentals, and if you are a new keno player, every bit of direction will help make your keno betting more captivating.