Online Keno Rules & Gameplay
As hinted in the introduction, keno is one of the simplest casino games to play. Even if you've never played before, it will only take you a few minutes to get the hang of it and get on with real money action. Here are a few things you need to know about online keno rules.
First and foremost, you will need to find an online casino that offers keno games. That shouldn't be a problem, as most online places these days have keno as a part of their offer, and you will find some great picks in our recommended casinos section.
Next step is to access the lobby where keno games are located and pick your preferred one. There are different variations available with slightly different rules, so make sure to check these. In this article, we describe the most common rules that you will usually encounter, while these small tweaks are different across various casinos, so you will need to check their specific rules and stipulations.
Once you've chosen the game, the next step is to pick your numbers. The keno grid contains numbers between 1 and 80, and you can usually pick anywhere between 1 and 20 numbers for a single draw. This can vary, though, as sometimes you might be able to pick only ten or so numbers. Either way, the principle remains the same - only the odds will change.
After you've selected your numbers, your involvement with the game is pretty much over. The only thing left to do is select how much money you want to risk and you can sit back, relax, and wait to see what numbers are drawn. When all numbers are out, you will get paid based on the number of correct picks. If you pick 20 out of 20 numbers correctly, you will be in for a huge payday, but chances of this happening are well beyond tiny.
Odds in Keno
Most players know that casino games work using odds, i.e. a casino always has an edge of a few percentages. So, what are odds in keno like?
Live keno is among the worst casino games that you can play in terms of odds, as the casino edge is often well in excess of 20%. Compared to other games like roulette or slots, this really doesn't seem like a very appealing proposition.
Online keno games are much better in this regard and much closer to the overall odds you get when playing slots. However, keno is still among the least profitable games you can play. Hitting 20 out of 20 numbers does offer a huge payout, but the odds of that happening are 1 in 3.5 quintillion (that's nineteen digits, in case you are wondering).
The bottom line is, if you are looking for a game with good returns, online keno is probably not it. It can be a lot of fun and a great way to relax, but if a players is looking for an edge against the casino, he will never find it playing keno.
Keno Variations
As we've mentioned, online keno offers different variations, although there are no significant changes to the way the game is played. Some of these variations, however, are more player friendly so we are bringing you a quick overview just to help you find your way around.
- Regular (original) keno - pretty much described in this article
- Power keno - if 20th number is matched, all player's winnings are quadrupled
- Super keno - similar to Power keno, but in this variation, if the 1st number is matched, the winnings will be quadrupled
Often, casinos will offer additional jackpots for picking all 20 numbers correctly, so these jackpot keno games will attract a lot of players, adding to the excitement. While these games will clearly be a lot of fun to play, always remember that odds are really against you, so take it in good spirit and relax.
It could be your lucky day, after all.
Conclusion
Online keno has grown to become a very popular casino game despite the fact it is a very simple game that doesn't offer much in terms of player involvement or strategy. There is clearly a large number of players who enjoy taking it easy with a few keno games, picking their lucky numbers, and hoping for them to come through.
While keno doesn't offer great odds overall, it is the possibility of that huge score (as miniscule as it may be) that attracts players to the game. You may be going against it when playing online keno, but at the same time, there is no saying that it isn't your turn to get lucky. It may be a purely luck-based game, but that doesn't take away anything from it.
You can find a wide variety of keno games with various betting limits at Canadian online casinos. Aside from getting to play as much keno as your heart desires, you will also be treated to some nice welcome bonuses and other perks, so there is no reason not to get involved today.
A huge windfall of money could be waiting just around the corner.
