Though most people associate keno with massive public draws for which tickets get sold at retail lottery kiosks, bars, gas stations, and so on, it is a reasonably popular casino game. That is right. Multiple Las Vegas and Atlantic City high-end establishments organize keno draws in their dedicated lounges. A few Sin City examples are The D, The Plaza, and Bally’s Las Vegas Hotel & Casino.
Hence, keno enjoys widespread appeal among casual and hard-core gamblers alike. Its primary allure lies in its simplistic gameplay that revolves around picking a specific set of numbers from a distinct range. Then claiming a prize outlined in a paytable, depending on how many selected ones correspond to those drawn.
To make this game even more accessible, gaming software developers have created a machine variation called electronic keno. These are similar to slots found in traditional casinos, or they can be played online for real money. The rules that apply to these offline video game products are valid for those also found at online keno, and we explain the best approaches to turn a profit at both below.
What Is Electronic Keno Precisely?
Essentially, it is a faster version of regular keno. Many also call it video keno. That is so on account of it getting played via cabinets identical to those that video slots and video poker machines utilize. Moreover, the internet keno is one of the easiest ways to gamble on the Web, offering competitive winning odds and swifter gameplay.
When playing virtual keno at interactive gaming hubs, gamblers don’t need to wait for specific times for a draw to occur. One happens only for them whenever they press spin. Dozens of these online keno titles exist, each boasting different game specs, but they are all easy to play.
For example, Keno from pioneering provider Realtime Gaming (RTG) has a max win of x250 a player’s wager, and it features a minimum bet of $0.10, while the most anyone can wager on it is $10 per draw. Rival Gaming’s Keno has a max win cap of $250,000 on a maximum bet of $25, listing an RTP of only 94.9%.
As a rule of thumb, most interactive keno games have return-to-player specs similar to famous slots. Furthermore, their max exposure settings hover in the same neighborhood as those offered by medium-variance reel-spinners. Therefore, this makes them the perfect choice for low-rollers looking for steady streams of wins.
Electronic Keno Variations & How to Play
Most virtual keno games do not differ dramatically from the standard 80-ball version found in charitable gambling halls across the US. Providers often like to add their spin on this casino mainstay option. For example, Keno Fortunes from Concept Gaming, found at many US-facing gambling sites, allows players to pick anywhere from one to fifteen numbers instead of the usual twenty, allowing bets as low as $0.10. Others incorporate bonus balls that can lead to jackpot rewards. Nonetheless, their base games, 99% of the time, consist of gamblers choosing from a max number of anywhere from ten to twenty numbers and waiting for a software algorithm to arbitrarily churn out the ones in play for the current round.
Some video keno games can even implement bonus modes, like those in reel-spinning titles, where gamblers get an on-the-house selection. These options usually have unique themes and names. Caleta Gaming’s Banana Keno is one, and it features multipliers and a Banana Bonus Wheel round.
How to Win at Electronic Keno?
No fool-proof keno win system exists, one that guarantees that you will stay in the black during your gaming sessions. The best course of action is first to check the specifications of all the electronic keno options considered and only play those with high return-to-player percentages and decent max exposure settings.
Then, pick a conservative sum of numbers per round, up to a maximum of ten. Getting twenty figures picked right out of twenty is extremely unlikely, as the odds are in the high trillions. Thus, most gamblers should settle for medium to modest wins and not dream of winning life-altering amounts when playing keno.
Also, although keno is 100% a chance-based game, it is wise to mix high and low numbers and avoid consecutive ones. Staying with a set budget is also paramount, as is maintaining impulse control. Only spend what you can afford to lose, and look to call it a day when a bad streak of luck rears its ugly head. Chasing losses when playing electronic/video lottery-style games is always a horrible idea. A good one is to know the odds in play and look to snag promos.
This article was written in collaboration with gambling experts.