Online Keno for Real Money USA
In a past piece, we discussed the processes for playing keno online. Now, let’s delve deeper into the options that are accessible for US-based players who want to participate for real money. Keno may not be as renowned as other games, but a few options (albeit limited) are still available at the majority of US online casinos.
Best Online Casinos for Keno Games
The industry is flooded with many online casinos. The number of options can be overwhelming – especially for newbies. To help you start off on the right foot, here are some of the best Keno casinos to consider for US residents.
Keno Rules – How to Play for Real Money
Now, if this is the first time you are coming across this game, you are probably worried and hesitant to give it a try. But here’s the thing – you don’t have to worry. The rules are easy and simple to learn and implement. Below is a quick guide on how to play the game.
Select an Online Casino
While it can be confusing deciding where to play online, our recommended list above are all US friendly and have great keno options for you to try. Unfortunately, there are no live keno options for US players yet but as soon as there are we’ll mention them on this page.
Choose numbers from the grid
Once you’ve chosen a casino offering your preferred Keno variant, the next step is to choose the numbers. You can choose as many or as few numbers as you please from the card grid. There are a total of 80 numbers to choose from. However, bear in mind that there are always a minimum and a maximum number each Keno variant allows. Usually, the minimum is 1 and the maximum is 20. But as pointed out above, the rules vary with the variant chosen.
Decide on how much to bet
Once you’ve chosen your numbers, you can now proceed to choose the amount to wager. Depending on the casino you choose to play at, the minimum and maximum amount allowed can vary but usually it can be anywhere from $1 to $10.
Note: once you’ve placed your bet, you cannot retract it. As such, you should be careful and alert when placing your wager.
Wait for the draw
You can either press ‘Play Five’ or ‘Play One’. Whichever you choose, the game will draw numbers and display your winnings. However, it’s important to note that if you choose to go with ‘Play One’ your numbers will be valid for one game. But if you choose ‘Play Five’ the numbers will be valid for a total of 5 games.
Real Money Online Keno Variations
The vast majority of online keno games don’t really differ too much from the standard rules. There is usually a set of 40-80 numbers to choose from and you just select which numbers you think will be selected and go from there.
There is however one variation which we should mention that is somewhat similar to the popular land-based keno machine Superball Keno. It’s called Powerball Keno (created by Saucify), which adds a nice twist to the game where the last ball drawn is considered a “Powerball” that adds a 4x multiplier to your winnings. While unfortunately there is no progressive jackpot available, this online variation is the closest you’ll find to Superball Keno.
Here’s a free version of it so you know what to expect (flash is required).
Real Money vs. Free Keno Games
Which one should you play? Real Money or Free Keno? Well, we advise that you play both. When you are starting out, focus on free Keno games. This will give you time to practice. And since no real money is involved, there is a lot of room for trial and error.
With free Keno games, you’ll get to understand which strategies to employ and how to manage your bankroll. Heck, you might even come up with your own winning strategies.
Once you are comfortable with the game, you can upgrade to Real Money Keno. Here the stakes are real. You have to be strategic in the bets you make. And remember, money has no feelings. Also, Keno is a game of chance. With every bet, your chances of winning are almost as good as your chances of losing.
Here’s another free keno game you can try if the one above doesn’t load. This one’s provided by Bovada so the grahpics are a bit more modern compared to the Powerball Keno game above.
Strategies for Playing Online Keno
Though Keno is purely a game of chance, there are some tips and strategies that can help you increase your chances of winning a reward.
- Don’t pick lots of numbers
When you pick many numbers, you stand to win a bigger prize. But also, you are required to place a bigger bet. Clearly, there’s a thin line. And if you think about it, it’s harder to hit a jackpot with many numbers than with a few. For this reason, it’s advisable to pick 4 or 5 numbers in every game.
- Welcome bonus
Always sign up at casinos that offer a lucrative sign-up bonus. You can use the bonus to play Keno and win without spending a dime. Grande Eagle Casino has a great keno welcome bonus of $20 free if you use the code KENO20 or a 299% match bonus up to $2,990 if you use the code KENO299
- Manage your bankroll
It’s easy to get carried away with the excitement of the game and the chances of winning big rewards. But even then, you should put a leash on your excitement. Retrain yourself from spending all your cash in the first rounds of Keno. Spending all your cash at once will deplete your bankroll fast and land you in trouble.
- Casino payouts
Take some time to research the casino. Know the casino’s maximum payout. Higher payouts are better.
Extra Tips to Better Your Chances of Winning
Risk
The number rule of gambling is; always bet what you are willing to lose. Never assume you’ll win your bet. Actually, you should assume you’ve lost the cash once you make a deposit. So in the event you win, then it will be a bonus and when you lose, you won’t be devastated.
Odds
Always study your odds before placing a bet. Low odds or bets that do not equal the possible reward should be dropped. Always shift to a different game or find another casino. In a game of chance like Keno, odds are everything.
Successive Numbers
Keno is a random game. As such, every number has the same chance of being drawn. With this in mind, most players opt to pick spaced out numbers. And while this is a good move, you should also consider picking consecutive numbers. If you study previously drawn numbers, you’ll notice Keno usually has several successive numbers. So do not shy away from picking successive numbers.
Pick different numbers
It sounds like we are contradicting ourselves right? Well, we are not here’s what we mean. You should not memorize previous winning numbers. All draws are different and random. Pick a different set every time. Do not entertain the devastating thoughts of picking losing numbers.
Spend small
The numbers you pick should be inversely proportional to your stake. With many numbers, the stake should be low. With few numbers, the stake should be high. If you do the math, the end result will always be around the same value.
The History of Keno
Keno originated from Ancient China. The Chinese in that age used the proceeds from Keno to construct the Great Wall of China. Given the size of the wall, it’s sufficient to say that the profits made from the game were big. As such, Keno must have been a popular game in Ancient China. In addition to funding the construction of the wall, the profits were also used to fund other projects.
Ancient China called Keno the ‘White Dove Ticket’. The Chinese gave it this name because they used carrier pigeons to send Keno results to close towns and cities. It’s also worth noting that during these times, Keno was played in Chinese Characters. However, only 80 characters of the 1000 possible were used.
Keno found its way into casinos in 1847. Since then, the game has transformed. But even then, the basics have remained the same. For instance, the western version also includes 80 numbers and it’s still a game of chance.
So where did the Name ‘Keno’ Come From?
The earliest use of the name ‘Keno’ can be traced back to a casino in Houston in 1866. The name stuck. It was catchy and better than puck apu or boc hup bu – the names the Chinese used.
Since then, Keno has steadily gained traction as a simple lottery styled game. And actually, for some, Keno is more exciting and more entertaining in comparison to other government lotteries. The variations and the wide selection of possible wins add some excitement to the game.
Now, it’s true that lotteries have larger jackpots than Keno after all, they do have more participants. However, when you participate in a lottery, you are gunning for the jackpot. And even though smaller wins are available, they are typically secondary to the main jackpot. For this reason, the odds on the smaller wins are, well, small.
With Keno, the payout varies with the number numbers chosen. So essentially, you can gun for big wins, small wins and every other win in between. The odds and the rewards are proportional and correspond to your preferences.
Keno FAQ
Are there any progressive jackpot keno games online?
Unfortunately no. There used to be one called Bonus Keno by NetEnt, however they have since removed the game from their catalogue.
Where can I get a Keno bonus in USA?
As mentioned earlier, we recommend visting Grand Eagle Casino because they have promotional bonus codes specific to Keno. You can choose either
- Welcome bonus of $20 free if you use the code KENO20
- 299% match bonus up to $2,990 if you use the code KENO299
Tip:Regardless of where you play it, make sure you read the wagering requirements carefully so you know exactly what’s involved with collecting the bonus.
Where are the best places to play Keno online?
Well, this depends on your preference. Do you want a low house edge? Are you looking for Keno game variety? Do you want more rewards?
Depending on what you want, the best place to play Keno will vary. Read online reviews and read the different online casinos to make an informed choice.
What’s the difference between Live Keno and online Keno?
Live Keno uses video streaming technology where you can see an actual person in a studio draw the numbers to determine if you have won or not. Currently there aren’t any live keno options for US players but if you’d like to see what it looks like you can view an example of Ezugi’s live keno here.
What’s the Difference between Bingo and Keno?
Though these two have some similarities, there are also some distinct differences. The main difference is that Bingo offers tickets that have preselected numbers while Keno allows you to choose the numbers.
Also, in Keno, you choose the size of your wager and the number of draws for the selected numbers. In Bingo the game goes on until they find a winner.
Do you need all the number to match for a win?
No. While matching multiple numbers increases your returns, it’s not necessary to match all of them.
Why can’t I find A Keno game at My Casino?
Keno isn’t as popular as blackjack and slots. As such, most casinos don’t feature it on the homepage. It’s often found in the specialty games category. If it’s not there, it’s in the table games category.
While Keno doesn’t enjoy the same level of popularity other online casino games do, more and more casinos are starting to include it in their list of games.
Can you play Keno online for real money?
Absolutely! Simply select a casino, make a deposit, place a wager on any keno game for the chance to win.
