How to Play Keno: Rules, Numbers and Payouts
By John Isaac,Editor at online-gambling.com
John Isaac
Editor at online-gambling.com | Rules Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| RTP | 92.00% – 95.00% |
| Why Play Online | Top Advantages |
| How to Win | Best Tips |
Online casino keno dates back thousands of years, to a land-based lottery-style fundraising game. Originating from China, it was brought to the USA by Chinese workers helping with the first transcontinental railroad’s construction. The game started to grow on many locals and in 1933 spread like wildfire. With time, it became a must in every gambling hall, which was migrated to online casinos as well. Baige Piao, a.k.a. keno, is a simple and yet fun game of chance.
Free Online Keno – Enjoy Our Demo
Very similar to lotto and bingo, keno is a great way to have fun, whether online or offline. The learning curve here is not so big, because most players have tried the prior two games at least once. Nevertheless, make sure you get familiar with all rules, techniques and tactics, unique to the particular choice of play. This guide is all about how to play keno, including several tips regarding the online version in particular.
PlayHow to Play Keno Online – Beginner’s Guide
Online keno can’t get much simpler, but simple doesn’t always mean boring. The game can be exciting and fun to play. Guess which numbers from 1 to 80 are going to be drawn and place your bets. Does that remind you of other games? That’s correct – it is similar to lottery and bingo. The main distinctive point for keno is the speed of play. It is much quicker and you have many game variations to choose from. Here are the three main elements of the game, accurate for both on and offline casinos:
- Keno Card – the betting ticket with all the numbers from the RNG
- Pay Table – the set of numbers, determining the payouts
- Quick Pick – online option to play random pre-filled keno tickets
Each game contains a draw of 20 balls. You get a keno card with all possible numbers. Pick numbers and mark no more than the required spots. Counting how many you have selected correctly determines the prizes paid. In time, advanced technologies, like RNG, have replaced the good old-fashioned ball machines. This way you can play online keno on the go or at home. Here is what a typical keno table looks like:
Online Keno Rules – Learn How to Play
Online keno for real money consists of a few buttons, a pay table and a keno card. Regardless of the game’s modification, these are the common elements. They are in tight connection with the rules as well. Have in mind, that the numbers can be chosen manually or randomly (via the RNG). The more numbers you pick, the bigger the chance of grabbing a bigger prize. It is a good idea to know how many spots you want to mark before you place a bet. Are you playing one game or more? Consider all that, so you can divide the bet properly. We will assist with straight-to-the-point online keno rules and strategies. Here are the basic keno rules you should follow:
- Percentage calculations determine the base for bets and payouts;
- Keno spots differ depending on the casino. The maximum is usually around 15, while the minimum can be one, two, four and so on;
- Marginal returns call for small amount bets on each game;
- The more numbers you pick, the more expensive each round will be. That also increases your chances of correct hits;
- The fast-paced nature of keno assures you multiple plays in a short stretch of time.
In the game of keno, marked spots and payouts go hand in hand. What matters is how many numbers you pick, how much you bet, and how many of your picks the RNG matches. Many people enjoy keno because of the numerous fast and small bets. The thrill comes not from gigantic prizes, but from the frequent winnings coming in the blink of an eye.
Odds and Payouts
Many players refer to keno as a numbers game. When you play with more spots, the chances of returning your wager grow. The payouts are based on the amount of chosen boxes by you and the ones picked by the software. In other words, your online keno prize grows with the more guessed numbers. Every online and land-based casino has the right to adjust their keno odds and payouts. Always check that with the gambling provider.
| Picked Numbers | Match | Keno Payout | Keno Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Numbers | 2 out of 20 | 7/1 | 1 in 13 |
| 3 Numbers | 3 out of 20 | 25/1 | 1 in 48 |
| 4 Numbers | 4 out of 20 | 100/1 | 1 in 189 |
| 5 Numbers | 5 out of 20 4 out of 20 | 250/1 20/4 | 1 in 718 1 in 50 |
| 6 Numbers | 6 out of 20 5 out of 20 | 1000/1 125/5 | 1 in 3,383 1 in 169 |
| 7 Numbers | 7 out of 20 6 out of 20 5 out of 20 | 5000/1 300/9 25/5 | 1 in 15,464 1 in 619 1 in 63 |
| 8 Numbers | 8 out of 20 7 out of 20 6 out of 20 | 25,000/1 1000/5 100/10 | 1 in 74,961 1 in 2,438 1 in 199 |
| 9 Numbers | 9 out of 20 8 out of 20 7 out of 20 6 out of 20 | 50,000/1 1000/1 1000/10 10/2 | 1 in 387,197 1 in 10,325 1 in 685 1 in 86 |
| 10 Numbers | 10 out of 20 9 out of 20 8 out of 20 7 out of 20 | 250,000/1 5000/1 1000/5 50/2 | 1 in 2,147,181 1 in 47,238 1 in 2,571 1 in 261 |
How about the odds? Their probability changes in the course of the game. Most casinos cap the spots you can mark at around 15, and the majority of pay scales are built for 12 spots or fewer. The table illustrates the payouts and odds with an example of a $1 bet. Online keno offers high payouts with lower bets, after guessing a certain number of hits. The most profitable combinations contain 8 and 9, where 10 is not very profitable. Needless to say, the house edge could slightly differ and affect the odds.
Those payouts all assume you match every number you pick. Here is how likely that is, from a single spot up to ten, in a standard game where 20 of 80 numbers are drawn:
| Numbers Picked | Chance of Matching All of Them |
|---|---|
| 1 spot | 1 in 4 |
| 2 spots | 1 in 17 |
| 3 spots | 1 in 72 |
| 4 spots | 1 in 326 |
| 5 spots | 1 in 1,551 |
| 6 spots | 1 in 7,753 |
| 7 spots | 1 in 40,979 |
| 8 spots | 1 in 230,115 |
| 9 spots | 1 in 1,380,688 |
| 10 spots | 1 in 8,911,711 |
The 10-spot jackpot is the headline number, but it lands about once in nine million tickets. That is why paytables also pay for partial matches – catching 6 of your 10 numbers is what actually keeps a session going. It also means the real decision is how many spots to play, not which numbers to choose.
House Edge
The house edge is a percentage calculated of any given wager that is statistically expected by the casino to retain. In addition, the higher house edge is great for the casino but bad for the players and vice versa. Online keno usually carries a house edge of roughly 5% to 8%, which is the other side of the 92% to 95% RTP range you will see on most games. That is higher than blackjack or baccarat, but far below the 20% to 30% that lottery-style keno draws in land-based venues have historically kept. Each game sets its own paytable, so the edge varies from title to title – check the game’s info panel before you play.
Online Keno – Return to Player Rate (RTP)
Keno RTP or return to player rate is used to determine the percentage of all wagered money a game will pay back to players in time. When you pick a game or a casino, look for a higher RTP. Such playing opportunities offer better chances to win. Sometimes the actual return to player rate might differ from the theoretical one. Here is a hypothetical RTP breakdown of a 10-ball keno game:
- 1 pick – 75% RTP
- 2 picks – 98.10% RTP
- 3 picks – 90.19% RTP
- 4 picks – 89.02% RTP
- 5 picks – 86.08% RTP
- 6 picks – 93.79% RTP
- 7 picks – 93.61% RTP
- 8 picks – 92.94% RTP
- 9 picks – 93.49% RTP
- 10 picks – 90.82% RTP
The return to player rate varies, as you can see from the example above. The average percentage for online keno is mostly in the range between 92.00% and 95.00%. That depends on the variation of the game you decide to try out. The rules and payouts are adjusted accordingly, which results in different RTP rates.
Play Keno Games Online – Live and RNG Variations
Players tend to choose online casinos, because they have nothing to do with the noise and anxiety around the gaming tables. Once registered at an online casino, you have the chance to play RNG or live online keno. The main difference between both is the demo trials. In case you choose live tables, you can’t try the game for free before placing a bet. However, live stream keno gives you the atmosphere of a real brick and mortar casino hall. Let’s see why people prefer online keno:
- Fast play
- Free mode
- Higher prizes
Playing keno online also gives you the opportunity to slow down or speed up the gameplay, and choosing your card spots takes just a click. Behind every online keno game stands an established software provider. Some of the best on the market are Ezugi, 1x2Gaming, NetEnt and Games Global (formerly Microgaming). They are partners with the majority of the casino websites, which explains the game presence almost everywhere. Ready to play for real money? Availability depends on where you are: our US online gambling guide covers the regulated states, and our Philippines casino guide covers players there.
Playing Keno on Mobile
Keno suits a small screen better than most casino games: you tap the spots on the card, set your stake and watch the draw. There is no layout to squint at and no dealer to keep up with.
Most casino sites are fully responsive, so keno runs in your phone’s browser without a download, and free-play mode works the same way it does on desktop. The rules, paytable and RTP are identical – only the screen size changes.
Our Online Keno Tips – Learn How to Win
The great thing about keno is all the joy and casual atmosphere. Winnings are mostly based on luck, but knowing your game can only help. The learning process begins with the rules, numbers and odds, the proper casino choice, managing your budget and several others. Have a look at our top tips, which will help you win the keno rounds:
- Learn the rules – your gameplay is determined by the rules of online keno
- Improve your skills by playing free online keno – practice is always a good start towards winning. Try some free rounds at first.
- Pick the best version of online keno for you – the game should be fun, interactive and with high quality
- Consider the payouts and odds – play where you can get higher payouts and more spots on the play card
- Remember that each bet has different RTP rate – the higher RTP, the higher return percentage for you
- Plan your budget – decide what you can afford before you start, and never chase losses
- Know when to stop – keno rounds are fast, so set a time limit alongside your budget
Even though keno is known as a game of luck, you can also play with a strategy. A few simple approaches can stretch your bankroll. Many players still refer to them as a hint on how to win at online keno.
Best Online Keno Strategy – Improve Your Odds to Win
Tactics can improve how you manage a keno session, but nothing in gambling is guaranteed. Various approaches fit different players. We have tried to capture the most common and as a result of our research and testing, we present the top online keno strategies:
- Look for the highest payout ratio/percentage
- Play for free first
- Use more than one play card
- Bet on more numbers, but don’t go wild
- Pick the higher RTP and the lower house edge
Online keno offers several variations of the game. The rules and conditions adjust accordingly. Some games let you bet on a minimum of 2 spots, others on 4. Different conditions can trip you up. Always check the terms and conditions before starting a round of keno. That way you will have time to adapt your knowledge and choose the proper gameplay.
Final Thoughts
Keno is one of the easiest games in the casino to learn: pick your numbers, watch 20 of 80 get drawn, and get paid on how many you matched. The catch is the cost of that simplicity.
At roughly 5% to 8% house edge online, keno keeps more of your stake than blackjack or baccarat, and no choice of numbers changes that – every number has the same chance in every draw.
What is worth deciding is how many spots to play and how much per ticket. Try the free demo first, check the paytable of the specific game, and set a budget before you start.
If keno is not the right game for you, you could also try arcade games, which offer the same quick, simple style of play.
Popular Questions
We have collected the questions players ask most often about keno and answered them below.
1. How to play keno online?
Pick a casino, register and choose the type of online keno you want. You will get the standard play cards. Then, mark the number of spots the casino allows. RTP and odds depend on the casino. How to play online keno is no longer a mystery.
2. What are the rules of online keno?
Knowing the rules of keno can only help maximize the chances of winning. For example, always check how many numbers you are allowed to cross. Some casinos allow different minimums and maximums. The more spots you play, the better the chance of winning.
3. Where can I play online keno on the go?
One huge advantage of online casinos is the option to play from any location. Mobile-friendly casinos offer your favorite keno variation in the palm of your hand. Picking winning numbers is possible from anywhere with an internet connection.
4. Which are the best keno online casinos?
The best keno casinos are licensed, secure and carry several keno variations. Security, payments, game selection and bonuses all matter when choosing. You can find licensed operators in our US gambling guide or our Philippines casino guide.
5. Can I play keno online with a bonus?
Many online casinos include a large variety of games that can be played with the welcome bonuses. Bear in mind that you can withdraw anything won on keno only after complying with the wagering requirements. Not all games contribute to that condition. Make sure you always read the Terms and Conditions.
6. Where can I play free online keno games?
You can find keno at pretty much every online casino. Most casinos let you try it for free in demo mode, directly in your browser. The quickest way to practice is the free keno demo at the top of this page.
7. Why should I play keno games online?
Games have additional perks when played online. The online game of keno can be slowed down or sped up. Everything happens in a few clicks. There are more positive sides of playing keno online.
8. How to win at keno online?
Even though keno is a numbers game, there are some tips that can tilt the score in your favor. It is a good idea to play with more spots. Pick casinos with higher payouts and options for more playing cards.
9. What keno numbers hit the most?
No keno number hits more often than any other. Online keno results come from a random number generator, so every number from 1 to 80 has the same chance in every draw. Lists of "hot numbers" only describe past results and do not change your odds.