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Keno is a bingo like game. It is played on a ticket
that has the numbers 1 to 80 printed on it. The
players select up to 20 numbers, which they mark on
the ticket. Some casinos limit the maximum numbers
marked to 15 or even 10. The players also indicate
the amount that they are betting. 20 numbers are
randomly drawn by the casino. The players are paid
out depending on how many of the marked numbers
coincide with the 20 numbers called by the casino.
Keno is often played in bingo halls. Players buy
their tickets at the booth and mark them. At
regular intervals twenty numbers are randomly
drawn and called out. The players match them with
their tickets and collect their winnings from the
cash counter. The sale of tickets for the next
round begins. Keno is also played in casinos,
where electronic technology is used to make the
game go faster. Tickets are sold by “keno
runners”, who also record the numbers marked by
the players. A computer periodically generates 20
numbers and flashes them on monitors throughout
the casino. The keno runners collect the winning
tickets from the players and cash them. This
enables players to play keno while playing other
casino games as well.
However it is online keno that is most popular.
Players log onto the keno site and generate the
ticket. The betting options available are
indicated on the ticket. The players select the
stake they want to play with. The ticket is also
marked on line by clicking the selected numbers.
Most keno sites offer a “Quick Pick 10”
option in which 10 random numbers are
automatically marked on the ticket. The players
can then generate the 20 numbers online by
clicking the “Play” button. The computer matches
the numbers and calculates the payout and credits
the players’ accounts. The results, which include
the numbers chosen, the numbers correctly
predicted, the wager amount and the payout, are
shown on the screen. If the players want to
continue playing they can avail of one of the
following options. By clicking the Play button the
game is repeated for the same wager and same
selected numbers but a new set of 20 random
numbers. By clicking the Clear button a blank keno
ticket is generated. Or the player can make
selective changes to the existing ticket. In this
manner the players can play keno continuously
without a break.
Keno odds are determined mathematically and do
not differ from casino to casino. The formula for
calculating the odds depends on the total numbers
on the ticket, i.e. 80; the number of numbers
drawn, which varies between 10 and 20; the number
of numbers marked on the ticket and the number of
winning numbers. The more the numbers marked the
greater are the chances of winning. However the
payout varies from casino to casino because
different casinos employ different house edges.
Hence it is important to consult the payout table
before playing.
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