There are basically two different types of strategies when it comes to gaming – those that make a mathematical difference in your expected payback percentage and those that don’t.

At most of the casinos we recommend, keno contributes to the wagering requirements 100% and so can be a good game to play in order to clear a bonus, while also giving you the opportunity to play with the casino’s money. Keno Online Variations. The game is played more or less the same way at all of the casinos we recommend. Keno Strategy - Tips for Keno Players to Win Big Money. Keno falls into the category of luck-based games that do not require special skills, but below, we are going to challenge the widespread assumption that employing a best Keno strategy is unnecessary.

In the last few articles I’ve written, I’ve suggested strategies for video keno that don’t actually make a mathematical difference in your expected payback. Getting into a rhythm or hopping from machine to machine until one treats you well is good advice, but it’s only my opinion.

I sincerely hope the strategies I write about bring my readers good luck. However, I’m not about to tell you I can prove everyone will work, because I can’t. Nobody can.

When it comes to video keno there are only two strategies that can mathematically be proven to work. I’ve already written about one – playing mainly 5 through 7-spots when you play.

This is because video keno machines are set to payback an average of all of the different individual pay tables for each number of spots a player is able to mark.

For example, if a machine is set to return 88% payback (a common setting) and you mark two numbers, you will actually be playing at only a tick over 84%. If you pick six numbers though, you’ll be playing at a little over 90% payback. The average of all of the paybacks is around 88%, but each number of spots you can mark has its own theoretical paybackpercentage.

;Five through 7-spots usually have the highest return within each setting, so I suggest you pick that number to play. It’s mathematically advantageous to do so, not just opinion or superstition.

The second mathematically effective strategy for video keno is just as simple – check the pay tables and compare payouts between machines. Then play the machine returning the most.

The problem with this strategy is video keno pay tables are huge and not all payouts change between settings. Hitting 6-of-6 will pay 1,600 credits per credit bet on many standard video keno machines set at 84%, 86% or even 90% payback.

This being the case, how can you really tell? The hard way is to look at multiple paybacks like 5-of-6 or 4-of-5 and compare several to see which one will result in the best payback percentage depending on how many spots you intend to play.

The easy way – and this is a great insider trick to video keno you won’t hear anywhere else – look at 5-of-5.

This payout changes between all of the common settings of the most popular standard and multiple card video keno machines found in and around Las Vegas, and probably the rest of the country too. Generally speaking, the more credits you’ll get for hitting 5-of-5 on any non-bonus version of video keno, the looser the machine is set.

It’s that simple.

The 5-of-5 payback can range from a low of about 740 credits on some of the tightest settings to a high of about 838 on many of the loosest. Most casinos won’t use either the loosest or the tightest setting on any machine, so don’t be surprised if you never see 740 or 838. If you can find 804 or even 810, be happy.

If you can’t find a 5-of-5 in the 800’s and happen to be in the area, stop by Stetson’s. We have over 30 video keno machines that have an 838 payout on either single or four-card keno, even on denominations right down to nickels.

Stetson’s also has more varieties of video keno than any other bar or full-size casino in Henderson as far as I know – well over 20 versions by three different manufacturers.

If you know of a better payout place, please write and tell me about it. After all, I can’t claim to run 'The Video Keno Capital of Henderson' if I don’t have more variety and looser settings than the competition, now can I?

For more exclusive content on Keno and other games, become a member today. VIP access gets you powerguides, daily betting tips, horse racing tips, and much more!

(Editor’s Note: Brad Fredella is General Manager of Stetson’s Saloon and Casino in Henderson, NV.)

Table Of Contents

• Keno players look for ways to win big more than they should
• Combinatronics can 'solve' the game of Keno
• Use the formula in this article to calculate your Expected Return (ER) when you play real money Keno games

Keno: you either hate it or love it.

Some Casino games are just like that - you either enjoy endless sessions regardless of the house edge and your winning chances…

…or even 50 seconds at the table will feel like a lifetime.

The game of Keno is one of them.

Some play Keno for hours at land-based and online Casinos while others still wonder why a game like this one is allowed on the Casino floor.

I write this guide assuming you belong to the first kind.

You shouldn't be looking for the basics of Keno strategy if you weren't planning to play Keno online and (perhaps) win some money, too.

What Can You Expect From This Article?

I'll tell you what this article is not:

This isn't a guide for beginners who don't know what Keno is.

If you have never played this game before, you don't need my Keno strategy tips. You need this other guide on how to play Keno to get started with the game.

It's also not a guide to picking the lucky numbers to win at Keno every time you play.

Don't shop for Keno numbers online, please. Nothing good happens to those who do.

Even the best Keno strategy or system can not guarantee a 100% success rate. The collections of hot and Lucky Keno numbers you see online are irrelevant.

Keno is a gambling game. It's fun, fast-paced, and loud. But it is not a predictable one.

I also don't plan on telling you how to pick lucky Keno numbers to increase your chances to win.

However, I do have more than a few Keno strategy tips to share with that will help you increase your chances to win.

Are you ready to start?

Keno Isn't for Suckers

Many self-proclaimed professional gamblers call Keno 'a game for suckers' for its horrendous house edge.

While this is theoretically correct (the 25 to 40 percent house edge of some Keno games is indeed almost criminal), those who understand gambling know that Keno offers a great value for money.

See the contradiction here?

On one hand, the house edge is big enough to show that you are likely to lose often and never hit the life-changing jackpot the screen promises you.

But then - think about how you play Keno.

A full game of Keno can last up to 10 minutes from start to finish and it might not cost you more than $1 or $2 to play.

Meanwhile, you get treated like a king with complimentary drinks and snacks flowing to your seat. That's because Casinos love Keno players.

Now, think about Slots.

At an average of six seconds per spin, how far will $1 or $10 bring you?

Keno is a great game to chill and fantasize about big and semi-impossible wins. It is a game for dreamers who want to have fun but don't want to spend an unreasonable amount of cash.

Make Sure You Get a Bonus to Play Keno

While land based Casinos treat you with drinks and snacks, online Keno sites keep you on their pages with bonuses and promotions.

As a Keno player, you need to spend some time to shop around for the best Keno deals, as long as they come from reputable and trusted names.

Sign up for a free account to activate a 100% Keno bonus!

Receive up to €500 to play online and test your Keno strategy!

Finding the right bonus to play might not seem an important part of an effective Keno strategy, especially if you think it's all about lucky numbers.

But the extra money you get when you register to play at a good online Casino is the best way to fight house edge and variance, and win money when your numbers are drawn.

To do this well, you need to do some research and not rely on the usual suspects.

With online Keno not being the most popular gambling game in the world, the sites that specialize in it are often niche ones.

Take CasinoMulti, for example.

While this might not be the best-known gaming website the world, their welcome bonus gives you up to €500 to play Keno online and that's a lot of money.

Hellovalot, if you ask me.

Especially when you see how many different Keno games you can play there. Their offer is impressive.

See it for yourself. Register a free account to access the lobby and see how many (and how good) they games of online Keno are.

Play Free Keno Games Online

Keno games are so cheap that most sites don't offer a free version of this game. If you don't pay, you can't play.

That's what I like about CasinoMulti is not like that.

Before this article turns too much into a serenade for this Casino (which isn't), let me tell you this:

You can play 13 Keno games for free if you register and choose to play for fun.

CasinoMulti is the only site to offer so many free Keno games. That's why I think they deserve a praise.

Through the free games you can:

• apply the strategy tips below
• understand Combinatronics is a real thing
• accept that Keno numbers come whenever they feel like - not when you ask them to.

Here's a handy list of 13 Keno games available for free and real money play:

Cold Numbers, You Say?

Don't base your Keno strategy on cold numbers and hot numbers - unless you want to be sure to leave your money at the Casino.

Whether you use the Quick Pick feature available at most online Casinos or you focus on your kid's birthday you have the same winning odds.

This isn't to say you should just use the Quick Pick option every time you play. Part of what makes Keno fun is the idea to call luck with what is dear to us.

So - make each game special.

Write down a list of numbers that mean something to you, perhaps make each group challenge each other taking notes on how often one prevails over the other and, don't stress too much about the results.

In lottery-like games like Keno, you just need to sit back and wait for the numbers to be drawn.

Multi Race Cards

The best way to save some time, especially if you plan on playing the same numbers all over again, is to pick the Multi Race Cards that most online Keno sites offer you.

The Multi-Race cards allow you to play the same numbers over a series of consecutive Keno games.

Multi-Race Cards don't increase your chances to win money at Keno but help you save time and spare you from the annoyance of having to click on the same numbers times and times again.

Winning Odds in Keno

Best Online Keno Casino

Your interests in Keno strategy tells me you don't know much about the odds in Keno and your true chances to win big on this Casino game.

** Spoiler Alert: these numbers might kill your love for Keno **

But since I promised to tell you everything you need to play Keno with the best strategy there is - let's have a look at some scary numbers.

What are the chances you will hit all the 20 numbers?

The key to winning big and to bring home the seven-figure top prize offered in many Keno games is to play for 20 numbers and nail all of them. So, the question is: how likely is this to happen?

To paraphrase Joan Kung, here's where 'Learning Mathematics Helps Us Be Virtuous.'

Numbers show there are 3,535,316,142,212,172,000 different ways for a group of 20 numbers to be picked from a total of 80 numbers.

Theoretically, you have more chances to win at Roulette by throwing your chips on the table while blindfolded than to hit 20 numbers and win the jackpot in Keno.

But you don't need to play all the 20 numbers, do you?

If the 20-spot ticket isn't going to be included in our games for obvious reasons, let's see what happens when you play Keno with a 6-spot ticket.

Your winning chances increase (but don't jump from your chair just yet).

If you sum up the probabilities you have to catch 0, 1, or 2 numbers (the three occasions where you don't win anything) - things get a little on the sad side.

That's because you discover you have 83.78% chances to lose your game. And that's not to mention the 13% on the table, because that's when you win nothing more than your initial bet.

That's why a good bonus is SO important.

Adding free money to your bankroll you finance your losing games in the hope that when Lady Luck decides to smile at you, it's with a win of 4, 5, or 6 numbers.

Because that's where the real money is.

In case you are curious to see the odds of hitting all the numbers, including those in between 6 and 20, the table below is for you:

Cold / Hot Numbers in Keno

Usa Keno Casinos Online

Since I mentioned them earlier, let's go a little deeper on the concepts of Cold Numbers and Hot Numbers in Keno.

Cold Numbers: These are the numbers drawn less frequently. Usually, a number is added to the list of the cold numbers when it isn't drawn for 15 consecutive times.

Hot Numbers: These are the numbers that are drawn most frequently in a sequence of five Keno games. Some will tell you there are numbers that are hotter than others: don't believe them. It isn't true.

Combinatronics to Win at Keno

Here's where things get a little more complicated. If you made it till this part of my Keno strategy guide, take a deep breath and get ready to swim through numbers and calculations.

What is Combinatronics? 'Combinatorics is a branch of mathematics about counting – Combinatorics can help us count numbers of orders in which something can happen.' (Source: Mathigon)

I am not going to go into all details of Combinatorics (after all, even the MIT says 'it is not an easy task' to define it), but I want you to learn this:

The way Keno works allows you to calculate your expected return every time you play - and this doesn't often happen in gambling.

Combinatronics helps calculate the different ways you can arrange a portion of a larger group of items - exactly what happens with the numbers in Keno:

There's 80 of them, but only 20 help create a winning combination.

After you apply Combinatronics to understand the probabilities in Keno you can calculate the Expected Return (ER) and figure out how much money you are likely to win (or lose) in a given number of games.

Free Online Keno Sites

Here's how you calculate : ER = Payoff x Probability

Using an example provided by the always useful Mensa Guide to Casino Gambling (see here) by Andrew Brisman, we can proceed to calculate the E (Expectation), the exact amount of money we can expect to win or lose over the long run with a given bet:

Free Online Casino Keno Games

Keno Casino Game

For the table above, we have that:

E = Total ER - Amount Bet: 0.7008 - 1 = 0.2992

(And that's also how you calculate the House Edge, which here is of 29.92%)

Play Keno Online

This concludes our journey through the bizarre world of Keno strategy.

If you have questions, remarks, or you would like to talk about Combinatronics and its applications to win at Keno, you are welcome to leave a comment below - I would love to talk Keno and Keno strategy with you.

Otherwise, just play it!

_{(Cit. Mad Men: Season 5, Episode 8)}

Casino Keno Machines

CasinoMulti features the best Keno games you can find on the internet and they welcome you with €500 as a welcome bonus.

Can it get any better than that?

It Kennot!

Free Keno Play Keno Only

Everybody needs an account at one of these online poker rooms! They're the biggest, the best, and we get you the best poker bonuses. Check out our online poker section for details on all the online poker rooms around.

Online Keno Real Casino