How to Play Keno Online: The Ultimate Guide

If you’re unfamiliar with Keno, don’t worry. We’ve compiled many tips on not just how to play Keno, but possible strategies on how to win at this game. First, though, we’ll take a look at what it is.

Keno originated in China 2,000 years ago and is often considered the ancestor of bingo and lottery.

The game consists of a grid-based board filled with numbers from 1 to 80. All a player needs to do is choose a set of numbers (the total amount varies), then wait to see how many of their numbers are drawn. Prizes also differ depending on the amount of matching numbers.

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Step 1 – Sign Up at an Online Casino and Choose a Keno Variant

Choose the best Keno variant

Next, we’ll look at how to play Keno online. Although the game is gaining popularity in offline casinos, it can be tricky to find an online casino that hosts Keno. Luckily, we’ve compiled a shortlist of applicable casinos at the bottom of the article.

Once you’ve chosen a casino and registered for an account, the next step is to determine which style of Keno you want to play. Generally speaking, there are four main types of Keno tickets:

  • Straight – the basic game type. Pick a selection of numbers for one game and see how many you get;
  • Way – lets players wager on multiple Keno games at once;
  • Split – effectively two tickets in one, but you have to use different numbers on each ticket;
  • Combination – a ‘mix and match’ game type/ticket that combines rules and play styles.

Step 2 – Pick the Numbers and Place your Bets

Pick the Numbers and Place your Bets

If you’re wondering how to pick Keno numbers effectively, you should first consider the bet type. These are the three most common forms of Keno wager:

  • Straight bet – usually lets players pick up to 40 numbers; the wager’s cost increases with the amount of numbers. However, the more numbers that come up, the better the prize;
  • Quick – perfect for playing on a coffee break, this bet type lets the game pick numbers for you;
  • Way – a wager that lets you choose groups of numbers, which increases your chance of winning but can be tricky to keep track of.

Step 3 – Wait for the Draw

Wait for the Draw

All that’s left is sit back, wait for the round to end, and see if you’re lucky.

Step 4 – Take your Winnings!

Take your Winnings!

Assuming you’re lucky, your winnings will be deposited into your online casino player account shortly after the games end. Then, provided you have enough money to withdraw according to the casino’s rules, select your preferred withdrawal method and collect your winnings.

Some Tips for Keno Players

Now you know how to play Keno, it’s worth noting that the game can be deceptively simple. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of the game.

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    Pick a Game with Bonus Features

    One of the best things about playing Keno online is that it can include bonus features not available in a brick-and-mortar casino. For example, you might find a Keno game that awards free bets or bonus cash if specific numbers come up.

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    Don’t Forget to Use Welcome Casino Bonuses

    Most online gambling sites offer welcome bonuses to new players, usually in the form of free bets. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to use these bonuses on Keno games.

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    Find a Progressive Keno Game

    It’s possible to find lotto-like Keno games with progressive jackpots. For example, the prize pool builds up over time and can only be won by matching all ten numbers.

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    Look for Special Feature Tickets

    These could include higher payouts, cheaper bets, or some other exciting offer.

Real Money vs. Free Play Games

Why Play for Real Money

  1. Of course, if you play Keno with actual cash, then you stand the chance of winning even more money.
  2. Free play is often limited in functionality. Only playing for real money can fully get acquainted with all the features.
  3. In addition, by playing for real money you get all the benefits of casino bonuses.
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Why Should you Try Fun Mode

  1. The biggest advantage of demoing a Keno game is that you get a feel for it before having to part with real money.
  2. Take your time trying out different versions until you land on one you like.
  3. If you want to rest and relax during the game, keno is your best choice. This simple game is a great way to spend time!

Best Keno Strategies for beginners

Learn What the “Hot” and “Cold” Numbers Mean

Hot and cold numbers in Keno indicate how often they have appeared in previous games. The number that indicates the frequency is usually a percentage figure. Certain variants of Keno will mark the hot and cold numbers with different colours for you.

  • Hot numbers have appeared the most often in the past 100 games – at least once in every 5 draws
  • Cold numbers have not appeared often in recent games – not more than once in every 15 draws

You can keep your chart of hot and cold numbers, however, it’s a lot of work to mark everything down. Since keno is a game of chance, by picking hot or cold numbers, you are still not guaranteed to win every time.

Study the payoff charts

The payoff chart will tell you how much money you can win by wagering a certain amount of money on certain bets. Various casinos pay different amounts for wins so it is worth comparing a few online before playing.

  • Payouts are based on how many numbers were chosen and how many of them were hit
  • The wager is multiplied by the odds when calculating the winnings
  • The more matches you get, the more money you win
  • The higher the prize, the lower the probability
  • Different number of spot games have different overall winning odds

It’s worth considering that keno has a larger house edge than most other casino games.

Play Smaller Bets to Begin

The chances of winning at keno are the same whether you bet $1 or $10. Therefore, it’s wiser to play 10 games with a $1 bet than 1 with a $10 bet. The amount of money you can potentially win will, of course, be 10 times less this way but you are risking less as well.

  • Even with a $1 bet you can still win a large amount of money
  • With the smallest bets, you can play many games, raising your chances of winning 
  • With smaller bets you can play multiple cards per game, again raising your chances of winning.

Test your Skill at the Best Online Casinos with Keno Games

Keno is a game of chance, therefore there isn’t much players can do to guarantee the outcome. Depending on how much you wager and how many numbers you pick, you can reduce or increase your chances and the possible winnable amount. It is worth experimenting with different game strategies to find what suits you, especially if you are a frequent player. However, if you play with a small wager very rarely, why not pick all 20 numbers for a chance of winning the jackpot.

Here’s our top pick of online casinos if you want to know how to play Keno in Canada.

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