It won’t commonly be seen as the most lucrative game in the realm of betting, but keno has millions of fanatical fans. And so it should! It’s a regularly entertaining lotto-style game that’s a breeze to learn, readily available in loads of different styles, and one that might return mega-dollars for players who master its numerous subtle nuances. But let’s start with the basics here.

When describing keno to novices, some gambling experts compare it to bingo. This is at least to some extent apt, in that both games are generally numerical. But to carry that comparison too far can be to undervalue the great many unique aspect that make keno so fun. Unlike bingo, keno enthusiasts have the ability to select the numbers for each card.

Keno cards have a total of 80 numbers, but the gambler is given an additional degree of personal responsibility by being able to select as many (or as few) numbers as he or she feels they need. And it doesn’t take a super genius to figure out how to fill out a card: all you do is circle or otherwise mark each of your chosen numbers with a good oldpen like you had when you were in third grade.

After you have marked your numbers, carry the game card back to the keno pit manager at the keno booth. The keno pit manager will record those numbers and then give you a receipt. Don’t lose this (potentially) expensive bit of paper! Even if the keno pit manager remembers your face and wants help out, without a winning slip on you, you will win precisely $.00 for your time spent.

Now there you have strategy #1: always make sure to keep your keno slip. Let’s get on to something a tiny bit more complex, ok?

Now that you’ve checked off your numbers, get yourself into a nice keno booth and watch the action take place on the keno monitor. This is where the winning numbers show up for us. If you selected winning numbers, mark your card aptly. Make sure not to take your time, or sit there congratulating yourself for too great a length of time. You are required to get back to the keno booth to get your winnings, and a new drawing will likely start within a few minutes.

Strategy number two: always make it back to the keno booth on time!

Assuming you can’t trust yourself to make that 5 minute deadline every time, you always have the option of purchasing a "multi-race" ticket. These include the same set of your desired numbers on anywhere from two to 20 slips. When the maximum amount of rounds (matching the number of tickets) is completed, you will then be able to get off your numb rump and go get your winnings.

Still another choice is referred to as a "stray and play" keno ticket, which generally lets you make number choices for 30 games or more. Heck, you can take vacation to Greece and not have to get uptight about getting back in time to get your winnings. Most "stray and play" game tickets are good for up to a whole year after it’s bought!

So now you have learned a number of necessary techniques for winning keno. If you are a discerning keno player, they may seem stupidly obvious. But it doesn’t hurt to study up on the basic strategies, and if you are a novice keno player, every little bit of advice will help make your keno games more agreeable.