It will not often be looked at as the most fun game in the realm of betting, but keno has millions of zealous followers. As well it should! It’s a constantly exciting lotto-esque game that’s a breeze to pickup, abundantly available in many alternate formats, and one that will pay out millions for those who master its countless subtle intricacies. But let’s deal with the beginner’s rules for now.
When describing keno to newcomers, some wagering pros compare it to the lottery. This is at least partly apt, in that both games are fundamentally numerical. However, to carry that comparison too far might be to miscalculate the innumerable unique aspect that make keno so compelling. Not like bingo, keno players have the freedom to select the numbers for each and every card.
Keno cards have a total of eighty numbers, but the user is given an additional level of personal responsibility by being able to select as many (or as few) numbers as he or she feels they need. And it doesn’t take a nuclear physicist to ascertain how to fill out a card: all you do is circle or otherwise mark each of your handpicked numbers with a standardmarker like you had when you were in third grade.
Now that you have checked your numbers, take your game card back to the nice person at the keno booth. The nice person will record those numbers and then hand you a receipt. Do not drop this (potentially) lucrative piece of paper! Even if the keno pit manager remembers your pretty face and would like to help out, without a winning ticket with you, you will win exactly $.00 for your time spent.
Now there you have strategy numero uno: always make sure to keep your keno slip. Let us move on to something a little bit more complicated, ok?
Once you’ve picked your numbers, get into a comfy keno booth and see the action unfold on a big video monitor. This is where the winning numbers show up for us. If you marked winning numbers, mark your card accordingly. Be sure not to drag your feet, or sit there praising yourself for an obnoxious length of time. You must get back to the keno stand to collect your winnings, and a new drawing will almost certainly start within five minutes.
Strategy number two: always get back to the keno booth on time!
Since you don’t trust yourself to meet that 5 minute deadline each time, you always have the option of purchasing a "multi-race" card. These include the self same set of your handpicked numbers on anywhere from two to twenty tickets. When the maximum number of rounds (matching the number of tickets) is finished, you can then get off your numb bum and go get your winnings.
Yet an additional choice is recognized as a "stray and play" keno ticket, which normally allows you make number picks for 30 games or more. Hell, you can take an ocean cruise and not have to fret about getting back in time to retrieve your numbers. Most "stray and play" cards are good for up to a whole year after it’s purchased!
So now you have learned a handful of indispensable strategies for winning keno. If you are an experienced user, they might seem very obvious. But it doesn’t hurt to brush up on the fundamentals, and if you are a beginner gambler, every tiny bit of advice will help make your keno games more captivating.
