What Is Keno?
Keno is a lottery style casino game where you pick numbers from a board of 1 through 80, the casino draws 20 numbers at random, and you win based on how many of your picks match the draw. The more numbers you pick and the more that hit, the larger the payout. The fewer that hit, the more you lose.
Keno is pure chance. There is no decision after you select your numbers that improves your outcome. The house edge ranges from 20% to 40% depending on the casino and the number of spots you play, making it one of the highest house edge games in any casino. The appeal is the format: simple, fast, low minimum bets, and the possibility of a large payout from a small wager.
Keno Trainer
Click up to 10 numbers on the board, set your wager, and draw. Your picks highlight green on a hit and red on a miss. Use Quick Pick to let the game choose randomly.
How to Play Keno
- Choose your numbers. Select between 1 and 20 numbers from the board of 1 through 80. These are called your “spots.” Most players pick between 4 and 10.
- Set your wager. Choose how much to bet per game. Minimum bets at most casinos and online games start at $1.
- The draw. The casino draws 20 numbers at random from 1 through 80. In live keno, these are drawn by a ball machine or random number generator. Online, results are instant.
- Count your matches. Your winnings are determined by how many of your picks match the 20 drawn numbers. The pay table varies by casino and by how many spots you chose.
- Collect or replay. Winnings are paid immediately. You can play the same numbers again or pick new ones for the next game.
Keno Pay Tables
Pay tables vary significantly between casinos. These are representative payouts for a $1 wager, which illustrate why picking more spots produces both higher potential payouts and more frequent zero-win outcomes.
4-Spot Keno (Pick 4)
| Numbers Matched | Payout ($1 bet) |
|---|---|
| 0 of 4 | $0 |
| 1 of 4 | $0 |
| 2 of 4 | $1 |
| 3 of 4 | $5 |
| 4 of 4 | $120 |
6-Spot Keno (Pick 6)
| Numbers Matched | Payout ($1 bet) |
|---|---|
| 0–2 of 6 | $0 |
| 3 of 6 | $1 |
| 4 of 6 | $4 |
| 5 of 6 | $88 |
| 6 of 6 | $1,500 |
8-Spot Keno (Pick 8)
| Numbers Matched | Payout ($1 bet) |
|---|---|
| 0–4 of 8 | $0 |
| 5 of 8 | $10 |
| 6 of 8 | $75 |
| 7 of 8 | $750 |
| 8 of 8 | $10,000 |
10-Spot Keno (Pick 10)
| Numbers Matched | Payout ($1 bet) |
|---|---|
| 0–4 of 10 | $0 |
| 5 of 10 | $2 |
| 6 of 10 | $20 |
| 7 of 10 | $150 |
| 8 of 10 | $1,000 |
| 9 of 10 | $5,000 |
| 10 of 10 | $100,000 |
These payouts are representative. Always check the specific pay table at the casino you are playing, as payouts for the same spot count can vary by 30% or more between operators.
House Edge in Keno
Keno has one of the highest house edges of any casino game. The exact edge depends on the casino’s pay table, but typical ranges are:
| Casino Type | Typical House Edge |
|---|---|
| Live casino keno lounges | 25% to 40% |
| Video keno machines | 10% to 25% |
| Online casino keno | 20% to 35% |
| State lottery keno games | 30% to 45% |
For comparison, European Roulette has a 2.70% house edge, and even slot machines typically run between 4% and 10%. Keno exists in an entirely different category. Anyone playing keno for profit over any meaningful sample of games will lose significantly. The correct framing is as an entertainment expense with a known cost per hour.
Keno Odds and Probabilities
Understanding the probability of hitting all your spots puts the game in perspective. These are the odds of catching all picked numbers in a standard 20-of-80 draw.
| Spots Picked | Odds of Catching All |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1 in 4 |
| 2 | 1 in 17 |
| 3 | 1 in 72 |
| 4 | 1 in 327 |
| 5 | 1 in 1,551 |
| 6 | 1 in 7,753 |
| 7 | 1 in 40,980 |
| 8 | 1 in 230,115 |
| 9 | 1 in 1,380,688 |
| 10 | 1 in 8,911,712 |
Hitting all 10 spots is roughly four times harder than winning a typical state lottery jackpot. The large payouts in keno exist because the probability of winning them is extremely low.
Keno Strategy
There is no strategy that reduces the house edge in keno. The numbers are drawn randomly and each game is independent. Previous draws have no effect on future draws. Number patterns, “hot” and “cold” numbers, and frequency charts are statistically meaningless.
What you can do is make informed decisions about how you play.
How Many Spots to Pick
Picking fewer spots (4 to 6) gives you more frequent small wins and a slightly better return percentage on some pay tables. Picking more spots (8 to 10) gives you access to the large top prizes but dramatically increases the chance of winning nothing. Neither approach changes the underlying house edge significantly. Pick based on how you want the game to feel.
Comparing Pay Tables
This is the one actionable thing you can do. Pay tables vary between casinos for the exact same game. Before playing, look at the payout for a solid catch on your chosen spot count, for example, 7 of 10 or 6 of 8 — and compare between available games. A better pay table on a mid-range hit meaningfully reduces the house edge.
Bankroll Management
Keno depletes bankrolls faster than most casino games due to the high house edge. Set a session budget before you start, stick to it, and treat each game as entertainment with a known cost rather than a potential income source.
Types of Keno Tickets
| Ticket Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Straight Ticket | Standard single game. Pick your numbers, play one draw. |
| Multi-Race Ticket | Play the same numbers for 2 to 20 consecutive draws. Convenient for live keno lounges. |
| Way Ticket | Group numbers into sets and play multiple combinations on one ticket. Increases action per ticket. |
| Combination Ticket | Combines multiple way bets and straight bets on a single ticket. |
| King Ticket | A single circled number (the “king”) used in combination with groups of other numbers. |
| Stray and Play | Extended multi-race tickets valid for 30 or more draws, often valid for months. No need to redeem between games. |
Best Online Casinos for Keno
| # | Casino | Keno Options | Welcome Bonus | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bovada Casino Best overall for US players | Multiple keno variants, video keno | $3,000 + 125% crypto | ★★★★★ |
| 2 | Ignition Casino Best RNG game selection | Keno with competitive pay tables | $3,000, 100% match | ★★★★★ |
| 3 | BetOnline Fastest payouts | Video keno, multiple spot options | $1,000, 100% match | ★★★★½ |
| 4 | Super Slots Most game variety | Multiple keno games, good pay tables | 300 Free Spins on $10+ deposit | ★★★★½ |
| 5 | Wild Casino Best crypto bonuses | Keno available, crypto-friendly | 250 Free Spins on $10+ deposit | ★★★★ |
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission for referrals at no cost to you. Always verify bonus terms before depositing. 18+ only.
Keno Glossary
Spot A number you select on the keno card. A “4-spot” game means you picked 4 numbers.
Catch A number you picked that matches one of the 20 drawn numbers. “Catching 6 of 8” means 6 of your 8 picks were drawn.
Draw The 20 numbers selected by the casino each game from the pool of 1 through 80.
Pay Table The schedule showing how much each catch combination pays for each spot count. Varies significantly between casinos.
Straight Ticket A standard single-game keno ticket with one set of picked numbers.
Multi-Race Ticket A ticket that plays the same numbers for multiple consecutive draws.
Way Ticket A ticket that groups numbers into subsets and plays multiple combinations simultaneously.
King Number A single number circled separately on a way ticket, used in combination with grouped numbers.
House Edge The casino’s mathematical advantage per dollar wagered. Keno house edges of 20-40% are among the highest of any casino game.
Aggregate Limit The maximum total payout a casino will pay on a single keno draw across all tickets. Protects the casino against catastrophic loss on a single draw.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many numbers should I pick in keno?
Most experienced keno players pick between 4 and 8 numbers. Fewer spots give more frequent wins but smaller payouts. More spots give access to larger prizes but reduce how often you win anything at all. There is no optimal spot count that reduces the house edge, so pick the range that matches how you want the game to play.
Are some keno numbers luckier than others?
No. Keno uses a random number generator or physical ball draw that produces genuinely random results. Each number has an equal probability of being drawn on every game regardless of how often it has appeared in previous draws. Hot and cold number tracking has no mathematical value.
What is the house edge in keno?
Typically between 20% and 40% depending on the casino and pay table. This is significantly higher than most other casino games. Video keno machines tend to have lower edges (10-25%) than live keno lounges. Always check the specific pay table rather than assuming.
Can I play the same numbers every game?
Yes. A multi-race ticket lets you play the same numbers for multiple consecutive draws without re-marking your card each time. Online keno games have a similar repeat or auto-play feature. Playing the same numbers repeatedly does not change your odds in any direction.
What is a way ticket?
A way ticket lets you divide your numbers into groups and play multiple combinations on a single ticket. For example, grouping 6 numbers into two groups of 3 lets you bet on each group of 3 separately and on all 6 together, all on one ticket. Way tickets increase the number of bets per ticket without requiring separate cards.
Is online keno fair?
At licensed, regulated casinos, yes. Online keno uses RNGs certified by independent testing labs to confirm genuinely random draws. The published pay tables are accurate. Always play at licensed operators where the game software is independently audited.
