How to win at Keno, Strategy, Tips, odds & probabilities

Keno is a game of chance! And with each game the numbers are chosen by random number generators (RGN). This means that each game when played is similar to the game of roulette, where the numbers chosen are completely independent from previous games. As a result there is little keno strategy which can be used to help increase your chances of winning.

There is, however, information which will be useful to the player that will certainly make the game more enjoyable. Here are simple Keno strategies to follow:

1.) Play Keno games at the casinos with the best payouts

When visiting online casinos look to see if they publish a payouts schedule. In some casinos they have independent auditors confirm the payout rate. This is the case with casinos operating with the Microgaming software.

In general the odds or probabilities at Keno when compared to other games will have a lower payout, however, no other games outside of slots allow you to win large jackpots for the small amount of money played.

2.) Play the correct quantity of numbers

Unlike games such as Blackjack and Poker the player in Keno has very little control over variables which will affect the outcome. One of these variables is the quantity of numbers you choose. This decision is dependant upon how frequently you want to win and the size of jackpot. For example, winning more frequently but less money by playing less numbers. The following table shows the odds/probability of attaining the desired results (matches) based upon the quantity of numbers (spots) chosen.

Probability/Odds of attaining selected Keno numbers

With most Keno games the player can choose between 1-15 numbers. As you can see in the schedule above the fewer numbers which are chosen the easier it is to match all of your spots, however, the payout will be lower and therefore remove the incentive of playing.

Secondly, the more numbers played the easier it will be to match at least some numbers chosen.
Again unless a significant number of matches are obtained the payout is going to be low.
Therefore, one should try to reach a balance and play between 4 and 8 numbers. This will takeaway the extremes of choosing too few and too many numbers where the probabilities/odds of winning are 1 in a million or higher. As an example, 15 matches out of 15 spots your odds of winning are 1 in over 400 billion.

3.) Selecting the correct numbers

As already mentioned the results of prior games will not impact the outcomes of future events. However, some players employ the following strategies believing that a balance of probabilities will increase their chances. These include:

a.) Playing the numbers which have not come up in recent games. This works on the theory that the numbers will come up to even out the long-term results in the pool of Keno numbers.

b.) Rather than betting the numbers that have not come up, players will choose numbers which have come up in recent games. This method is following trends and patterns with randomly drawn numbers where if you can hit a winning streak can be profitable.