What is keno?
Keno is a lottery-style game originating from China. Keno rules are very similar to games like Lotto. It
involves picking numbers and hoping they match some of the numbers drawn at random.
Key term – What is a keno spot?
The numbers picked by players are known as the spots. Traditionally, players mark these with ink or a crayon
(like a bingo dabber). In video keno, and online keno casino games, players select keno
spots by clicking the mouse or by tapping on mobile.
A little confusingly, Spot Keno is also the name given to the classic, simple version of the game. It has no
quirks like additional balls, multipliers or combinations.
Step-by-step guide to keno
1. A keno card displays 80 numbers, from which players select their choices before each draw takes place.
2. An individual number is called a keno spot.
3. When choosing numbers, a keno payout table appears. This shows players how
much they stand to win if they match a certain amount of numbers.
4. The more matching numbers, the greater the payout. Many variants also reward
matching zero numbers when players pick above a certain amount.
5. Some variations of keno show hot and cold keno numbers in the game. Hot numbers have appeared often, and cold numbers have not appeared recently.
6. At the start of the game, all numbers drawn will appear somewhere on the screen.
7. When a number the player has chosen is drawn, this is called a match or a catch.
8. During the draw, any numbers a player has successfully matched will typically be highlighted in some way.
9. There are different types of bets available in some keno casino games, which we'll cover in more detail later in our guide.
How the keno draw works
As soon as a player hits Draw, the action happens swiftly. This button may be labelled
Play or Start, depending on the keno game. Here’s what to expect before,
during and after the draw.