It may not usually be thought of as the most lucrative game in the universe of gaming, but keno has tons of devoted players. Why wouldn’t it? It’s a regularly exciting lottery-type game that’s uncomplicated to play, abundantly available in loads of assorted formats, and one that will yield millions for players who master its countless subtle nuances. But let’s begin with the basics here.

When describing keno to amateurs, some gambling pros compare it to lotto. This is at least partly apt, in that both games are basically numerical. But to take that comparison too far can be to discount the endless unique traits that make keno so interesting. Not like bingo, keno enthusiasts have the ability to choose the numbers for each card.

Keno cards have a grand total of eighty numbers, but the user is granted an extra degree of personal responsibility by being able to decide on as many (or as few) numbers as 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 normalball point pen like you used when you were a kid.

After you have checked your numbers, take the keno card back to the person at the keno booth. The keno pit manager will record your numbers and then hand you a receipt. Don’t misplace this (potentially) lucrative bit of paper! Even if the clerk remembers your mug and wants help out, without a winning receipt on you, you will get exactly $.00 for your actions.

So, there you have strategy numero uno: always take care to keep your keno ticket. Let us get on to something a tiny bit more complex, what do you think?

After you’ve marked your numbers, get yourself into a comfy keno booth and watch the action happen on the monitor. This is where the winning numbers show up for all to see. If you selected winning numbers, mark your card accordingly. Make sure not to take your time, or sit there praising yourself for an obnoxious length of time. You need to get back to the keno stand to collect your winnings, and a new round of keno will certainly begin within 5 minutes.

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

Assuming you don’t trust yourself to meet that five-minute deadline each time, you always retain the option of using a "multi-race" ticket. These include the very same set of your selected numbers on anywhere from two to 20 slips. When the maximum number of keno games (the same as the amount of tickets) is played, you can then get off your lazy butt and go collect your winnings.

Still another alternative is recognized as a "stray and play" keno slip, which commonly allows you make number selection for 30 games or more. Hell, you can take vacation to Greece and not have to fret about getting back in time to collect your numbers. Most "stray and play" game cards are good for up to a whole year after it’s purchased!

So now you are aware of a couple of essential schemes for winning keno. If you are a discerning keno player, they might seem quite obvious. Still, it does not hurt to brush up on the basic methods, and if you are a newbie player, every tiny bit of direction will help make your keno experience more exciting.