Keno is a very easy gambling game. This is why it can be found in almost every casino in Las Vegas as well as online. Learning to play this game is not difficult at all. In fact, this game is quite similar to Lotto. It originated in China and thus Chinese immigrants brought it to the United States with them when they came in the mid-1800’s. While you may think that since this game is easy to play that is a good enough reason to learn how to play it, there is another great reason why you should learn how to play this game. This is the fact that it has a great payout potential. Most of the time you can place a $1 bet and yet win a payout of up to $50,000. Keno’s rules are really as simple as playing your state’s lottery.
There are no cards used whenever you are playing this very simple game. It is actually a game of chance wherein you select at least four numbers. Of course, you can select up to ten numbers if you would like. These numbers are called spots and are numbered from one to eighty. The game is dependent upon the number of spots that you choose. For instance, if you were to choose eight numbers, then you would be playing eight spot Keno. The winning numbers for each Keno game are randomly selected and then the winners are then selected by seeing how many of your numbers match up with the winning numbers. There are times when payouts are given even if you do not pick any of the numbers that were selected. This usually happens in ten spot Keno. So, as you can see, if you know how to play your state’s lottery, then you know how to play Keno.
Usually two options are available whenever you are playing Keno. Whenever you are in Las Vegas, there are lounges that are specifically dedicated to this game. There are screens on the walls that are called Keno boards. These Keno boards show the results from each Keno draw, usually they are held every ten to twenty minutes. There are also Keno boards located throughout the casino in case you do not want to stay in the lounge while playing. As such, there are also Keno runners who circulate around the casino, collecting your tickets and delivering your winnings. When you know how to play this game, you can be assured that you will never be bored at a Las Vegas casino because you will always have something going on.
Video Keno is yet another great option for playing this casino game. However, this version of Keno is only played online. While it is similar to live Keno, there is a benefit of playing Keno online: you will not have to wait ten minutes to see if you have won. Instead, online Keno works like a slot machine so that you can play as many times in a row as you want. The payouts here can amount to $100,000 when you are only wagering $1. You can find video Keno at almost any casino online.
Henry Tamburin, Reference keno also Guide to Casino Gambling, Research Unlimited, 1993.