How to Play Keno

YOUR COMPRENSIVE GUIDE TO CASINO KENO

Our casino gaming experts explain how to play and win at keno, the lottery game of chance. Sharpen your keno skills and start winning big.

What is keno?

What is keno?

Keno is a lottery-style game originating from China. Keno rules are very similar to games like Lotto. It involves picking numbers and hoping they match some of the numbers drawn at random.

Explaining the keno card

Knowing the game: three keno essentials

  • Keno has 80 numbers. A virtual machine called a hopper randomly draws 20 numbers (in a real casino the machine draws numbered balls).
  • Players pick their numbers – the amount of numbers players pick will vary. Between 1 and 15 is normal, but the amount can differ per game.
  • Depending on the amount of numbers bet, and how many numbers match the draw, the game calculates the player's winnings as the balls come out.
Keno card explained

Key term – What is a keno spot?

The numbers picked by players are known as the spots. Traditionally, players mark these with ink or a crayon (like a bingo dabber). In video keno, and online keno casino games, players select keno spots by clicking the mouse or by tapping on mobile.

A little confusingly, Spot Keno is also the name given to the classic, simple version of the game. It has no quirks like additional balls, multipliers or combinations.

Step-by-step guide to keno

1. A keno card displays 80 numbers, from which players select their choices before each draw takes place.

2. An individual number is called a keno spot.

Keno card payout table Keno card payout table

3. When choosing numbers, a keno payout table appears. This shows players how much they stand to win if they match a certain amount of numbers.

Keno winning numbers Keno winning numbers

4. The more matching numbers, the greater the payout. Many variants also reward matching zero numbers when players pick above a certain amount.

5. Some variations of keno show hot and cold keno numbers in the game. Hot numbers have appeared often, and cold numbers have not appeared recently.

Keno hot and cold numbers Keno hot and cold numbers

6. At the start of the game, all numbers drawn will appear somewhere on the screen.

7. When a number the player has chosen is drawn, this is called a match or a catch.

8. During the draw, any numbers a player has successfully matched will typically be highlighted in some way.

9. There are different types of bets available in some keno casino games, which we'll cover in more detail later in our guide.

How to pick keno numbers

No matter how you choose to pick numbers, don't forget that it's purely a game of luck. There are however two ways of making a selection and we explain the process for each.

  • Choose each individual number manually
  • Opt for a random automated selection of numbers

Manual: pick your own Automatic: quick pick

Work out how many lucky numbers you want to pick

Consider the associated keno payouts and odds for each range

Select how much cash you want to wager per game

Watch to see how many numbers you match

Choose whether you repick numbers or use the same ones again

Decide how many numbers you want to play

Click the option to have your numbers selected at random

Random numbers will be displayed on your keno card

Place your wager and draw, then look out for matches

Play again with these numbers or repeat the steps for new ones

Play at a pace that suits you

Interesting variants widely available

Higher payouts available

Speed of the game is much slower

Casino freebies and perks may be offered

Easier to burn through your bankroll

Need to know keno rules and etiquette

Enjoy a social experience in the casino environment

How the keno draw works

As soon as a player hits Draw, the action happens swiftly. This button may be labelled Play or Start, depending on the keno game. Here's what to expect before, during and after the draw.

  • 1 Choosing numbers
  • 2 Adding side bets (optional)
  • 3 Drawing numbers
  • 4 Collecting winnings
  • 5 Playing again

Players choose their numbers, as well as how much they want to bet.

Some games offer side bets like multipliers to boost winnings (or which may be awarded for certain matches). At this stage players may click the option to play any multiplier or other side bet available.

The draw begins, and the player's selected numbers start to appear on the screen.

Depending on how many matches the player gets, it's time to collect winnings.

Players can now repeat this process by using the same set of numbers, selecting a new set of numbers or allowing the game to pick numbers randomly.

In bingo

Players are issued a ticket with numbers on it. During the draw, they dab any of their numbers that appear in the hopes of creating a winning card.

Keno

In keno

Players pick numbers for themselves. As in bingo, it's then their responsibility to keep track of which of their numbers are drawn.

Although the games are similar in their number card and the draw, keno involves more player participation and decision-making. It allows manual number selection, which bingo does not.

Start playing keno online today

Now you've read our expert guide to playing keno, are you ready to start winning with the best keno numbers for you? Your lucky numbers might be related to special occasions, or based on keno numbers that hit the most. Either way, you're now prepared with the keno skills you need to play at a top casino! Our experts have shortlisted 2021's best real money keno casinos, with great bonuses.

Quite simply, the more numbers you match in real money keno, the more cash you stand to win. Payouts vary hugely depending on your game type and bet types. Don't chase your losses though – it's the luck of the draw.

The odds of any specific ball being drawn are always 1 in 80, as keno has 80 numbers in total. Keno odds and payouts range massively depending on how many numbers you pick. When looking at different keno payout charts, you might be surprised by how large the range of potential winnings is.

Many players find their keno winning sweet spot somewhere around the 6 to 10 number mark. Most keno variations let you pick anywhere between 1 and 15 numbers. Aside from numbers, there may also be minimum betting amounts, depending on the casino. Find out more about potential payment methods.

Yes, you can play keno on many mobile devices and tablets. Not every online casino offers mobile keno, but plenty do. It can get fiddly choosing numbers from a board of 80 on smaller screens. However, many casino sites and apps offer innovative ways to easily pick your keno numbers.

Players on the hunt for keno winning numbers often choose those with a fair amount of space between them. There's no science to this, as every number between 1 and 80 is statistically as likely to appear as any other. However, that just doesn't 'feel' like the case for many regular players…

The best keno strategy is to go with whatever bet type and number-choosing method which feels best for you personally. A player who studies hot numbers and keno payout charts is no more likely to win than a player choosing at random.