Keno: Strategy & Tips

Keno tends to be a game most gamblers dismiss outright. “It’s a game for suckers” is often thrown about, due to Keno’s low return to player. There’s no denying that playing this release is sub-optimal. But there’s more to life than making sure you’re always playing the best possible game. Sure, blackjack gives better odds, but that’s not relevant if you don’t like playing blackjack.

Still, there’s no denying that Keno is not the release you want to default to if you’re worried about an RTP. Hence the need for so many gamblers to try their luck at devising tips and strategies for the game! Equipped with this knowledge, you’ll be free to go out and master the tables. It won’t suddenly transform Keno into an always-winning release. But it will slightly improve your odds, giving you a better chance to beat online casinos.

Keno Rules and Gameplay

Let’s cover the basics of this game before we dive head-first into the tips and strategies. Traditional Keno allows you to pick between one to fifteen numbers from a table of eighty. The brick and mortar version is played with balls with numbers imprinted atop them. As for online releases, everything is handled by a random number generator.

Once you’ve selected the numbers, the release will draw twenty random numbers. From here, Keno will check your selection and the drawn numbers. The more they match, the better your payout will be! Ideally, you could match all 10 or 20 numbers, but the odds of achieving that are abysmal. Each game has a separate system of awarding cash prizes. As such, we suggest checking each one before you start playing.

And that’s all the gameplay basics you need to know to start playing. Certain releases might offer some additional special feature or a slightly altered ruleset. A popular change we have seen in online Keno is the ability to play multi-race cards, or being able to pick up to twenty numbers. The strategies we’ll share with you work so long as no extra feature changes the fundamental way the game works. So let’s jump right in!

Pick Your Payouts

Many casinos will offer a Keno release or two. While it’s not the most popular game in the world, it still has people who love to play it. In fact, your go-to online casino might have a release ready to be played! But before you commit any real money to those games, make sure to check their payouts.

Because if you’re not paying attention, you may find yourself playing several rounds of Keno with sub-optimal cash prizes. In our experience, Microgaming’s Keno games tend to have the best payouts. With the payouts and rules their games offer, you can expect an RTP of 94.9%. So before you go playing any release that looks interesting, compare its special features and pays against Microgaming Keno. The odds are already stacked against you: don’t settle for anything less than the best.

Limited Number of Numbers

Slightly confusing title, we know. Let us clarify exactly what we mean. Odds are, you’re not going to hit all 10, 15 or 20 numbers at the same time. So avoid the temptation to place as many numbers as possible. Keno fans have found that wagering between four to eight numbers works out best in the long run.

The whole reason we go with this route is because it’s the best way to ensure you’re getting good wins while minimizing losses. Four out of four is a better win than four out of ten, and losing a four number wager stings less than a ten number one. It’s pure maths, really. Less than four, and you’re not winning anything. More than eight, and the only way you can keep your balance going is to get constant wins.

Keno Bonuses

Our last suggestion isn’t related to the game itself. Instead, it targets the casino where you’re playing Keno. If you’re looking for the very best experience, seek out operators who offer promotions which either target Keno. Or, at the very least, allow you to spend bonus money on Keno.

Unsurprisingly, this isn’t as easy as it might first seem. While we personally love Keno, it doesn’t have the same mass appeal as blackjack and roulette. Still, if you search hard enough, you will be able to find a few casinos which welcome Keno punters. If you want a few suggestions, we’ve picked out a few Keno-friendly online casinos for you to enjoy.

Closing Thoughts

At the end of the day, luck remains the most important factor. Playing around the RTP, choosing your wagers and selecting the right numbers all has some impact. But if you’re not lucky, the only thing you’re doing is prolonging the inevitable. So cross your fingers, and hope Lady Luck will be on your side as you start your Keno adventure.