How to Play Online Keno - Rules and Tips

Keno is one of the top casino games crossing over to the online realms. Tracing its roots in ancient Chinese society, keno made its way to the shores of the United States in the mid-19th century.

Keno is basically a lottery game with several variants. The game is easy to play and its rules are easy to master. Although keno tends to have worse odds than most casino games, the appeal of the game lies in the possibility of hitting a large win with a relatively small bet.

In this guide, we will dive into how to play keno, lay out a guide to keno rules, as well as tips and strategies on how to win at keno and how to spice up your playing experience. Whether you’re an experienced player or just learning the ropes, this guide will show you everything you need to know about how to play keno online.

Keno Rules

The beauty of playing keno is that the rules are as simple as they come. Keno is a game where players choose 1 to 10 keno numbers from a board containing numbers from 1 to 80. Your objective is to predict which numbers will be drawn. In physical casinos, the draw is performed with an aerated keno machine to determine which numbers are selected. In top online keno casinos like Mega Dice, the draw is performed using a random number generator (RNG).

Traditional keno is played with 80 numbers; however, keno variations with fewer numbers do exist. Likewise, while most keno games allow you to choose up to 10 numbers for each keno game, there are keno variants with up to 20 numbers which can offer higher payouts should they match.

The goal of keno is simple: you just pick numbers before the round starts. Your payout is determined by how many matching numbers you select. If any of your selections match numbers on your keno tickets, you’ve got yourself a hit—and the more hits (matching numbers) you get, the bigger the keno payouts you stand to receive. In essence, keno rules are similar to lottery rules.

Random Number Generator

Each time you play keno online at Mega Dice, every result is guaranteed to be new and randomly generated. The game pulls numbers from a random number generator (RNG), ensuring that it generates a provably fair and genuinely random outcome each time a video keno game is played—regardless of the variant. There aren’t any strategies or systems that can be used to “beat” the game or increase your chance of winning—keno is purely a game of chance.

Keno Cards

The keno card (also referred to as the keno ticket) refers to the layout of available numbers to choose from, typically ranging from 1 to 80. When playing keno, players will be able to click on their desired numbers on their keno tickets to indicate their selections. Some online keno variants have a button enabling players to select 10 numbers on their electronic keno card at random.

Keno Bets

Betting on online keno is straightforward. As mentioned earlier, all you need to do is select your preferred numbers on your keno card, wait for the round to start, and see how the keno game plays out. Minimum keno bets can be as low as $1 per number; however, the appeal of keno is that you can produce massive jackpot wins if you get the maximum number of hits (or matching numbers),. Choosing more numbers can give you better odds of winning. Furthermore, if you get a 100 match (match all numbers) on your keno ticket, you become eligible to win the biggest jackpot.

However, the wide array of online keno variants offer different bets depending on the type or how many keno cards are available to bet on. Let’s take a brief look at them as follows.

Straight Bets

As the name implies, a straight bet refers to when a player picks their desired numbers on a single keno ticket and begins a round of keno. Straight bets involve the selection of single keno numbers on which to bet on. Players can typically select up to 10 numbers in a single keno game, against which the casino draws 20. Some keno variants may allow up to 15 to 40 numbers depending on the online casino and the keno variant, and the lowest minimum bet is $1.

Combination Bets

Combination bets, or combo bets, allow the player to use the same numbers for multiple keno tickets. Combo bets basically involve selecting groups of numbers rather than individual numbers, increasing your chances of hitting at least one winning combination. While this bet type may increase your odds of winning, it requires a larger bankroll.

Way Bets

Way bets involve betting on multiple number combinations in a particular sequence on a single ticket. Way bets allow players to bet on multiple sequences on the same card; while this particular bet increases the total bet on a single keno ticket, they offer more flexibility and allow you to diversify.

King Bet

King bets are basically a variant of the way bet wherein the player chooses one or more of his selected numbers as “king” numbers. The king number can be used on its own or combined with other groups to form a unique wager.

In closing, knowing the different types of keno bets increases your odds of winning at keno. Playing online keno at reliable and reputable casinos like Mega Dice is generally more profitable than playing keno at a brick-and-mortar casino, since the payout percentages are typically higher, with more chances to win bigger jackpots

Keno Variations

Mega Dice is home to a wide array of keno variations, each with their unique rules and mechanics to cater to players of all preferences and play styles. Let’s take a look at some of the different types of keno games available at Mega Dice and how to play them.

Standard

A screenshot of a digital casino interface displaying a variety of keno games to choose from. The titles include "Keno Rush," "Keno Goal," "Magical Keno," and "Jungle Keno" among others.

Standard keno is the easiest keno variant to learn and play. It is, after all, the traditional game format, and it is the version you’ll most likely find in most online casinos. Standard keno is recommendable to beginners given the simplicity of its rules and gameplay, without any fancy themes or features. Simply select your desired numbers (or have the computer choose them at random), choose your bet amount, and start playing. The random number generator selects 20 numbers. The numbers that match your chosen numbers (also called “spots”) will determine if you get a payout—and depending on the numbers you hit, how big your payout will be. Your goal is to get as many hits as possible.

Jackpot

Amaterasu Keno: A digital keno game with a cherry blossom background. The keno numbers are in circles with some numbers highlighted in pink. At the side, coins are displayed showing multipliers for the round.

Jackpot keno is a variant that gives players the chance to win bigger payouts, typically via a progressive format wherein the jackpot steadily increases depending on how many players join the game and bet. A maximum bet is typically required to become eligible to win the jackpot—but if it’s YOUR lucky day, you could be in for a cool million dollars.

Themed

Book of Keno: A digital keno game with an ancient Egyptian theme, featuring gold decorations and snakes. The keno board consists of numbered circles, and at the top, a glowing red gem sits above the board.

Online keno games have the added bonus of attention-grabbing sound and visuals compared to traditional keno games at a physical casino. Just like themed slots, you can find keno games with themes based on fantasy, popular sports, history, or fairy tales.

Bonus

Caipirinha Keno: A digital keno game with a tropical theme featuring a drink and a beach background. The keno board is laid out with numbered squares and a pay table showing different winning amounts based on the number of hits.

Keno games offering extra bonus rounds fall under this category. Keno games with bonuses are a draw because they can help boost payouts. However, it is advisable for players to familiarize themselves with keno rules and how to win using the bonus features in order to maximize their playing sessions.

Keno Tips

Ultimately, keno is purely a game of chance where the outcome is random. There isn’t one system or strategy that can guarantee consistent results over the long run. However, there ARE ways you can give yourself the best chance of winning payouts when playing online keno. Here are some of our expert tips to help you extract the most value out of your keno sessions at Mega Dice.

Choose the right keno variant. It’s important to choose the right keno variation especially if you’re just starting out. Familiarize yourself with the rules of the keno variant you wish to play and understand how you can maximize your payouts. Don’t get taken by the maximum jackpots since the odds of hitting those are long; instead, choose the variant that offers the best payout for the smallest amount of risk.
Start small. Like most casino games, if you’re just starting to learn how to play keno, you shouldn’t bet the rent on each game. It’s always best to play smaller stakes because the game itself gives you a good chance of hitting a big combination for substantial payouts.
Maximize your bonuses. Playing at Mega Dice has its perks in the form of a welcome bonus which may be eligible for keno. Mega Dice’s welcome bonus extends your bankroll, allowing you to play a wide selection of games, including keno, for less.
Use different number combinations. Everyone has their own “lucky numbers”; however, in a game as random as keno, it is best to switch your chosen numbers around. Use the auto-pick function to randomize your selections to improve your chances of hitting.
Don’t fall for so-called “systems.” Contrary to what some might say, there is no way to predict or to “game” the random number generator to favor you.

Play Keno

Ready to play the best of online keno? With 10+ keno variants from the top software providers, Mega Dice is sure to have the flavor of keno that’s just right for you!