It may not usually be looked at as the best game in the arena of gaming, but keno has millions of dedicated supporters. As well it should! It’s a constantly exciting lottery-ish game that’s easy to master, abundantly available in tons of alternate formats, and one that can pay out millions of dollars for people who learn its heaps of subtle rules. But let’s begin with the beginner’s rules here.

When explaining keno to beginners, some gaming pros compare it to bingo. This is at least in some measure correct, in that each game is essentially numerical. But to carry that comparison too far can be to devalue the countless unique aspect that make keno so entertaining. Unlike bingo, keno gamblers have the ability to pick the numbers for each card.

Keno cards have a total of 80 numbers, but the player is accord an extra level of personal responsibility by being able to select as numerous (or as few) numbers as he or she thinks is appropriate. And it doesn’t take a nuclear physicist to determine how to fill out a card: all you do is circle or otherwise mark all of your desired numbers with a good oldmarker like you had when you were a kid.

Now that you have picked your numbers, carry the keno card back to the person at the keno stand. The keno pit manager will record your numbers and then give you a receipt. Do not misplace this (potentially) expensive piece of paper! Even if the clerk remembers you and would like to help out, without a winning receipt in hand, you will win precisely $.00 for your winning card.

And there you have strategy number one: always be sure to keep your keno slip. Let’s get on to something a tiny bit more complicated, shall we?

Once you’ve marked your numbers, get into a comfy keno booth and watch the action happen on the keno monitor. This is where the winning numbers show up in lights. If you marked winners, mark your card appropriately. Make sure not to dally, or sit there congratulating yourself for an obnoxious length of time. You want to get back to the keno stand to redeem your winnings, as a new round of keno will surely get going within not too many minutes.

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

Since you can’t trust yourself to beat that 5 minute margin every time, you always have the option of purchasing a "multi-race" card. These include the self same set of your chosen numbers on anywhere from two to twenty cards. When the maximum amount of rounds (the same as the amount of tickets) is played out, you may then get off your lazy bum and go collect your winnings.

Yet another alternative is recognized as a "stray and play" keno card, which commonly allows you make number picks for thirty keno games or more. Gosh, you can take vacation to Greece and not have to worry about getting back in time to retrieve your numbers. Most "stray and play" tickets are good for up to a whole year after it’s bought!

And now you are aware of a couple needed strategies for winning keno. If you are a discerning player, they may seem to be stupidly obvious. But it doesn’t hurt to brush up on the fundamentals, and if you are a novice player, every tiny bit of advice will help make your keno playing more exciting.