A gambling game that resembles the lottery, keno is frequently played in contemporary casinos. Some lotteries also offer it as a game.

Gamers place bets by selecting numbers between 1 and (often) 80. After all, players place their bets, and 20 numbers—some variations pull fewer—are chosen at random using a random number generator or a ball machine like those used in bingo and lotteries.

The “paytables” are the payout schedules that are specific to each casino. The amount of numbers selected (either by the player or by the terminal), the number of matches among those selected, and the stake all affect how much the player is paid.

Depending on the casino, there are many different keno paytables. Generally speaking, the “house edge” is higher than in other games, ranging from less than 4% to over 35% in online play and 20–40% in physical casinos. In contrast, non-slot casino games often have a house edge of less than 5%.

Keno history

Although the word “keno” has Latin or French origins (Fr. quine means “five winning numbers,” L. quini means “five each”), the game is believed to have originated in China. According to legend, the game was created by Zhang Liang during the Chu-Han Contention in order to generate money for the defence of an old city. Later, its immense popularity contributed to the construction of the Great Wall of China. Prior to the late 19th century, the concept of utilising lotteries to finance a public institution was not widely accepted in modern-day China.

Before 1847, when the Macao Portuguese government decided to license lottery operators, there was no record of Chinese lotteries. Some claim that the results of keno games in large cities were transmitted to nearby villages and hamlets by carrier pigeons, giving rise to the Chinese term báigē piào, which in Mandarin literally translates to “white dove tickets,” but in Guangdong dialects of Southern Chinese, it simply means “pigeon tickets” and is pronounced baak6-gaap3-piu3 in Cantonese (which is on which the Western spelling ‘pak-ah-pu’ / ‘pakapoo’).

The winning characters were chosen from sheets printed with Chinese characters, which were typically the first 80 characters of the Thousand Character Classic. When Chinese immigrants travelled across the Pacific Ocean to work on the First Transcontinental Railroad in the 19th century, they eventually brought keno to the West, where it was Westernised into puck-apu and boc hop bu. Additionally, there were other, older games called Keno, but they were played similarly to the game that is now called “Bingo” rather than the current version of the game.

Keno winning probabilities

The number of numbers the player selects and the number of “hit” numbers are multiplied by the player’s initial wager’s percentage of the paytable’s “base rate” to determine the keno payouts. Although certain paytables pay for striking fewer locations, the payout usually increases with the number of numbers a player selects and the number of numbers hit. Casinos frequently pay $500 or even $1,000 for a “catch” of 0 out of 20 on a 20-spot ticket with a $5 wager, for instance. Each casino has a very different payout. Some casinos restrict the selection to just 1 through 10, 12, and 15 numbers, or “spots” as keno enthusiasts refer to the numbers chosen. However, the majority of casinos let paytable wagers of 1 through 20 numbers.

On a 20-spot ticket, the odds of a player getting all 20 numbers are roughly 1 in 3.5 quintillion (1 in 3,535,316,142,212,174,320).

The same player would normally also get rewarded for hitting “catches” 0, 1, 2, 3, and 7 through 19 out of 20, even though it is extremely unlikely that they will hit all 20 numbers on a 20-spot ticket. Frequently, the 17 through 19 catches pay the same as the solid 20 hits. It is also quite easy to hit some of the other lucrative “catches” on a 20-spot ticket or any other ticket with high “solid catch” odds:

Conclusion

Keno is an intriguing and lively game that combines aspects of both lottery and casino gaming. Its extensive history, tracing back to ancient China and evolving into modern gambling venues, highlights how games can transform and spread across different cultures. While it may appear straightforward, keno has a rich background that has influenced both entertainment and funding efforts. The game’s evolution from “white dove tickets” in China to its Western adaptations illustrates its ability to adjust to various societies while preserving its fundamental nature.

From a gambling standpoint, keno provides excitement along with high-risk stakes. With different paytables and odds, players encounter various payout structures based on the casino and their chosen numbers. The house edge is significantly higher compared to other casino games, positioning keno more as a recreational activity than a strategic endeavour. Nevertheless, the thrill of potentially landing a high-reward combination continues to draw in players.

In the end, keno is a game of chance that brings fun and unpredictability. Whether played casually or with serious bets, its ease of access and simplicity make it attractive to gamblers around the globe. Although the odds of hitting all 20 numbers are incredibly slim, the chance of smaller yet satisfying payouts keeps players interested. Whether in a casino or through lottery-style options, keno’s reputation as a favoured gambling game remains robust.