Keno
Game of Numbers
This Learn, Play Bingo Keno lesson is about the
keno game of numbers, odds, house edge and
history.
Keno
game is an out and out gambling game where you wager money on the
outcome of an event that you cannot manipulate, predict or even
otherwise effect in anyway.
Much like a lottery, keno requires no skill, but simply your method of
selecting numbers.
It
should not come as a surprise that keno originated in the walled
country of China. Apparently, the game was so popular in China about
2000 years ago that the winners were considered nothing less than
legends. There are other legends equally amusing but rather
preposterous that have sprung up around the game, chief amongst which
is the myth that winnings from the game helped raise funds for building
the Great Wall of China! The game was introduced to the West in the
early 20th century with the immigration of the Chinese to the western
world.
Keno Game Rules
A typical game set-up
consists of a huge glass bubble that contains 80 numbered balls
starting from one. The balls are shuffled, or mixed in this case by
blowing air through the glass enclosure.
On pressing a button, 20
balls are lifted up into a vertical aperture called the rabbit ear and
passed out. Players bet on the outcome of the event or the numbers of
the balls that would turn up. It is an automated system and no skills
whatsoever are required to predict the outcome. It is gambling at its
relaxing best!
Keno game odds and house edge are calculated based
on the type of bet. The house edge differs from casino to casino and
ranges from as low as 4% to as high as 66%! The higher the matches with
the numbers predicted by the players, the higher the payout.
Wagering is done using tickets. One has to mark or check boxes against
the numbers one thinks would turn up.
Since the house edge is high, the payouts are great. Even a zero
callout from the 20 numbers can sometimes fetch some returns.
A
funny thing about the odds here is getting all the 20 numbers right.
The odds of this happening are so great, it was estimated that if the
entire population on planet earth played keno non-stop, there would
only be one person to hit the bulls eye. No wonder the payouts are so
grand.
Keno Game Odds and House Edge
The odds and house edge for a 20-ball draw are calculated as shown in
the table below.
|
Hits
|
Odds
in %
|
|
0
|
0.11
|
|
1
|
1.15
|
|
2
|
4.9
|
|
3
|
12.4
|
|
4
|
20.5
|
|
5
|
23.3
|
|
6
|
19
|
|
7
|
11.3
|
|
8
|
4.9
|
|
9
|
1.6
|
|
10
|
0.3
|
|
11
|
.07
|
|
12
|
.009
|
|
13
|
.0008
|
|
14
|
.00005
|
|
15
|
.0000024
|
|
16
|
.000000007
|
|
17
|
.0000000000
|
|
18
|
.0000000000
|
|
19
|
.0000000000
|
|
20
|
.0000000000
|
The ball draw is influenced by
the blower, the blowing system, the number generating randomizer and
the glass bubble.
Since
the entire game is digitized, the results can even be watched from the
comfort of one’s room via VC and internet or live podcast unlike in
ancient China where pigeons were employed to do the same.
Keno Game - Types of
Bets
Straight Ticket: A player can mark one, two, or more numbers on a
ticket.
Split
Ticket: A player can bet on two or more groups of numbers on a single
ticket by circling the groups to be
played.
Way Ticket: Combining several groups of numbers on the same ticket.
Combination
Ticket: The player selects two or more groups of numbers and indicates
how the groups are to be combined to form many tickets within one
ticket.
King Ticket: One number is selected to be used with all the other
groups that have been indicated.
Multi Race Ticket: This is a ticket that indicates that it will be
played for two or more sessions in a row.
Keno Game Strategies
Many players develop their own keno game numbers system wherein
specific numbers groups are playing consistently.
Keno Tips: Don’t select more than eight numbers on a straight ticket.
Bet way tickets rather than straight tickets.
The
average return on a properly calculated Keno bet is purported to be 62
cents for every cent wagered. This based on the math involved in
calculating the odds.
Keno can also be played at various casinos
online and is quite a big hit with people as there are beginners’
bonuses and usually free play. The best online
Keno casinos can be judged by the Keno variants they offer, the house
edge, and the general ambience of the site.
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