It won’t generally be deemed the best game in the arena of betting, but keno has massive amounts of dedicated enthusiasts. And it should! It’s a constantly entertaining lottery-type game that’s easy to play, abundantly available in many assorted formats, and one that will return millions of dollars for people who learn its innumerable subtle rules. But let’s start with the basic rules for now.

When defining keno to beginners, some betting connoisseurs compare it to the lottery. This is at least nearly correct, in that both games are essentially numerical. However, to take that comparison too far is likely to be to misunderstand the countless unique traits that make keno so entertaining. Unlike bingo, keno gamblers have the power to pick the numbers for every card.

Keno cards have a grand total of eighty numbers, but the user is granted an extra level of personal responsibility by being able to pick as numerous (or as few) numbers as he or she needs. And it doesn’t take a doctor of keno to figure out how to fill out a card: all you do is circle or otherwise mark each of your selected numbers with a standard#2 pencil like you used back in the day.

After you have marked your numbers, take the card back to the clerk at the keno stand. The nice person will record your numbers and then give you a receipt. Do not lose this (potentially) expensive piece of paper! Even if the keno pit manager remembers your loud shirt and wants help out, without a winning receipt with you, you will collect exactly $.00 for your efforts.

And there you have strategy #1: always take care to keep your keno slip. Let’s move on to something a little more advanced, what do you think?

Now that you’ve checked off your numbers, settle into a comfortable keno booth and observe the action unfold on the keno monitor. That is where the winning numbers are shown in lights. If you selected winning numbers, mark your card accordingly. Be sure not to dally, or sit there praising yourself for an obnoxious length of time. You are required to get up to the keno stand to get your winnings, as a new keno game will probably begin within five minutes.

Strategy number 2: always get back to the keno stand on time!

Assuming you can’t trust yourself to make that five-minute margin each time, you always retain the option of buying a "multi-race" ticket. These include the same set of your desired numbers on anywhere from 2 to twenty slips. When the maximum amount of rounds (fitting the number of tickets) is played out, you will then be able to get off your lazy rump and go collect your winnings.

Yet an additional opportunity is recognized as a "stray and play" keno card, which commonly allows you make number choices for thirty keno games or more. Heck, you can take an ocean cruise and not have to fret about getting back in time to retrieve your winnings. Most "stray and play" cards are good for up to a whole year after it’s purchased!

So now you know several essential schemes for winning keno. If you are an accomplished user, they might seem to be incredibly obvious. But it will not hurt to bone up on the basics, and if you are a novice player, every tiny bit of information will help make your keno playing more agreeable.