Keno Online: Best Casinos With Keno Online in 2024

How to Play Keno Online – Keno Rules

The rules of keno are simple. You might encounter some games which use subtle variations, and we’ll discuss some of these later in our guide. But the basic idea is always the same.

Participants must first pay to acquire one or more cards which contain numbers, sometimes randomly selected but usually chosen by the player. If you’re playing a live keno game, 80 numbered balls are dropped into a machine, much like a lottery draw. However, many online keno games simply use random number generator (RNG) software to pick the winning numbers.

Either way, 20 of the numbers will be selected at random. The idea is to match the chosen keno numbers to those on your cards.

How To Win

As balls are drawn, these results are displayed on the keno board so you can easily track your progress. The more matches you end up with, the greater your prize will be. It’s not necessary to match all 20, an incredibly rare feat – it will happen one time in 3,535,316,142,212,174,336!

The most popular keno games pay a top prize for 10 numbers, with smaller rewards for fewer matches. You’ll find an example of the most common keno pay table later in this article.

Keno Tickets

Different games give you a chance to play with different types of tickets or cards. Let’s look at some of the most common play methods.

• Straight ticket: With this type of bet, you’ll choose a certain number to try and hit, up to 15. To win the top prize, you’ll need to match every number. But depending on the amount you selected, there may be consolation prizes.
• Way ticket: This keno ticket combines multiple permutations. You’re allowed to group numbers as well as choose individual numbers. For example, you might choose a group of three, a second group of three different numbers and a final group that combines all six.
• Split ticket: These combine multiple straight tickets onto a single card. If a number appears on one card, you cannot use it on the second card.
• King number: Here, you’ll choose one particular number, which is added to all other groups. For instance, if you select two groups of four numbers, you now have three bets. The king number plays as one spot, while the two four-number picks become five-number groups.
• Combinations: As the name suggests, this type of ticket combines multiple options from the above. It can feature straights, ways, king number bets, in whatever permutations you like, all on one card.

Odds to Know Before Placing Wagers

The above keno tips for beginners mentioned the importance of understanding the pay table. But, of course, there are many different keno games to find, and each has subtle rule variations. Games with a higher house edge will naturally offer lower payouts to winning players, for instance.

However, the table below is one of the most common payout charts found in the world of online keno. Prizes are paid for matching anywhere between one and ten balls. We’ve also included the actual odds of achieving each result, assuming a 20-spot game.

Remember that the order in which the balls are drawn is irrelevant. You’ll secure the prize if you match the correct number.

Finally, here’s an interesting keno probability fact. When 20 balls are drawn from a total of 80, there are a staggering 3,535,316,142,212,174,336 possible combinations!

Different Variations of Keno Online

Lots of different software suppliers power online casinos today. This is good for players, as it leads to more choice, driving up standards. But we’re not just talking about colourful graphics and engaging sounds. There are many interesting rule variations too.

Here are the most popular forms of online casinos with keno.

Video Keno

In the days before live casinos, the earliest online gambling sites could only offer RNG software. These video keno games remain popular today, despite technological advances; perhaps the nostalgic feel and familiarity appeal, or maybe it’s just the simplicity. Whatever it is, the best online casinos always offer a selection of video keno titles.

Live Keno

The growth of live casinos in the past fifteen years has been enormous. So it’s understandable that classic games like keno came along for the ride. Besides, keno has been around longer than online gambling sites. Moreover, its format lends itself well to live casinos since the draw offers a visual spectacle, and there’s often a charismatic host calling the numbers.

Jackpot Keno

We alluded to this earlier in our online keno guide, but progressive jackpots are a popular variation. A small percentage is taken and added to a prize pool every time you buy a ticket. It continues to grow until someone claims the entire pot. Jackpots often reach life-changing seven-figure sums and are usually won when a player hits 10 of the 20 balls.

Multi-Card Keno

This keno variation allows you to play multiple cards at once, increasing the chances of winning. It’s suitable for those who love action but has an obvious downside. Be careful not to bet too aggressively, or you could wipe out your bankroll in double-quick time.

Power Keno

While the base game rules are almost always the same, this particular keno variation offers an exciting twist. Any winnings will be boosted if you can match the 20th and final ball draw. It’s usually 4x the regular payout for achieving this feat. Some versions, such as Fire Power, award the extra game perk when you match the first ball rather than the last.

Speed Keno

Many online casinos offer their own sped-up versions of the classic keno game. They usually have names like “Lightning Keno” or “Speed Keno,” letting people know that they’re all about fast-paced action. In most cases, the rules are the same; only you can play many more game rounds than with slower versions. But others play a shortened form of keno, with fewer numbers and other innovative gameplay twists.

Keno Online Winning Strategies

We’re often asked about winning keno strategies, as players are always eager to boost their returns. But the truth is that this game is completely random. It’s just like playing the lottery or bingo. It’s simply not possible to influence the numbers chosen.

As such, there are no tactics you can employ to guarantee long-term results. But despite this well-known fact, it hasn’t stopped generations of keno players from devising playing strategies to try and maximize their wins. Here are some popular keno-playing styles.

Spread Out Your Spots

Keno has its roots in East Asia, and so does this superstitious playing strategy. Influenced by the concept of Yin and Yang, many players try to find harmony with the spots they play. It’s thought that by spacing the picks evenly and providing balance, you’ll have the best chance of being lucky.

Cold Numbers

Good keno sites provide statistics from recent draws to help shape your betting strategy. And a popular tactic is to look for numbers which haven’t appeared for a while. These “cold” balls are incorrectly thought to be overdue to make an appearance. Some players believe that the stats will have to regress to the mean at some point. And they want to have their bets in place when it happens.

Sticking With The Same Numbers

The logic of this tactic is similar to the cold numbers theory. If all numbers have an equal chance of being pulled, a certain number has to appear eventually. So if you know you’ll be playing a long session, you might want to stick rigidly to the same spots until they land a win.

Hot Numbers

The exact opposite of cold numbers, some people prefer to pick balls that are currently on a “lucky” run. A number is said to be “hot” if it appears far more than expected. The best online casinos, such as those named in this guide, will provide players with such information.

Consider The Odds

In truth, none of the above keno strategies have any effect on the outcome of a game. They are fun ways to play, no different from simply picking your favourite lucky numbers. A better approach might be to assess the game’s pay table and think about your personality.

Some people aren’t great at absorbing long-losing streaks, for example. If that sounds like you, try to play tickets involving fewer picks to increase your win frequency. After all, keno is supposed to be fun, and there’s no point in getting stressed while playing.

On the other hand, you might only care about landing the biggest prizes. In this case, you’ll want to focus on the less likely payouts and shoot for the moon.

Keno Online Vs Keno Offline: Similarities & Differences

Since online keno evolved from its land-based predecessor, there are naturally a lot of similarities. But the growth of internet casinos has spawned all kinds of weird and wonderful variants. In this section, we’ll compare the two ways to play this classic casino game.

Game Speed

One of the biggest differences between the two is undoubtedly the speed. Offline keno relies on physical equipment. The hopper needs to be loaded, balls are drawn, and all this takes time.

With RNG software online, you can play 20 times as many keno game rounds as in a physical casino.

Atmosphere

A knock-on effect of the above, keno in bricks-and-mortar casinos tend to have a much more fun atmosphere. People are there to see their friends and play the game. They might even enjoy a drink and some food. Players who like action may dislike it, but the slower nature makes for a different all-around experience.

Odds, Payouts and House Edge

Every keno game is different, regardless of whether it’s online or land-based. The house edge or pay table could vary from land-based casino to casino, never mind on the internet. So in this respect, there is no difference between the two. You always need to keep an eye on the game’s house edge.

Betting Limits

Since online casinos have much lower operating costs, they can afford to make a lot of concessions. One of these is the ability to cater to micro-stakes players. For example, it’s not unheard of to be able to buy keno tickets for as low as five cents per game.

Convenience

The ultimate difference between online keno and offline is the convenience factor. There’s no need to drive miles away to the nearest venue to play, thanks to the internet. You don’t even have to get off the couch, given that you likely own a smartphone or tablet.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Playing Keno Online

To wrap up our complete guide to online keno, here are some of the most common mistakes inexperienced players make. Don’t fall into these traps!

• Not researching your game. We’ve already mentioned it, but it’s so critical that it’s worth repeating. You must understand the rules and the payouts to make informed decisions and avoid disappointment.
• Not researching your casino. You don’t want to play with a rogue operator who won’t pay you when you win. Stick to reputable brands with proper licences, such as the casinos on this page.
• Improper bankroll management. All successful gamblers know how to manage money. Set aside cash for playing keno, and don’t stake more than you can afford to lose. Never chase losses. Learn to walk away when it’s not your day.
• Playing too much. If you play too many cards at once, you can quickly run through your entire bankroll on a bad day. Similarly, if you’re winning, playing too much gives the house a chance to win it back. Leave your device and bask in your victory!