Keno
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Keno is a game of chance, similar to the lottery and bingo , and extremely popular amongst modern casinos. In traditional keno, you can choose 10-20 numbers ranging from 1-80. After making your selection and placing your bets, 20 numbers are randomly drawn, and if you’ve picked correctly, you will receive your winnings based on the associated pay table.
The game has its roots in ancient China but has become one of the most popular games today at online and brick-and-mortar casinos. Although traditional keno is still extremely popular, many keno variations, such as our Stake Original, is additional fun for players!
You can play keno online at Stake Casino, and thanks to our effortless deposit process, you can start playing in no time.
So, if you’re keen to enjoy a straightforward yet super engaging online game, read on to find out what you need to get started. Delve even deeper with our comprehensive guide on how to play keno .
History of Keno Casino Games
It’s thought that the game of keno that we know and love today originated in China, even though the word “keno” has Latin roots. In China, the game has a legendary origin story.
It’s said that the invention of keno saved an ancient Chinese city from destruction at a time of war, and the game's popularity in the years that followed helped to fund the Great Wall of China.
However, it wasn’t until the nineteenth century that keno, in the form of a lottery, became widely accepted throughout Chinese society.
In 1847, the Portuguese government of Macau granted a license to lottery operators for the first time. Throughout the rest of the century, keno became an important part of Chinese culture and tradition.
In rural China, results of keno draws were sent to villages via carrier pigeons, resulting in the game becoming known as “white dove tickets” and “pigeon tickets” in certain Chinese regions.
Toward the end of the 19th century, the Chinese established a sophisticated keno system. The game used printed sheets of Chinese characters, typically the first eighty of the Thousand Character Classic.
The first known introduction of keno outside of China was thought to be in Houston, Texas. The game was taken by Chinese immigrants - commissioned to work on constructing the first transcontinental railroad - to the state of Texas. It was initially known as “boc hop bu” in the United States, which was a westernisation of the Cantonese name of the game, translated to pigeon tickets.
However, by 1870, the Chinese lottery game had a new American name – keno. It quickly spread to other states and cities in the United States, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Traditional Keno Games
In many respects, keno is one of the simplest games you can play at Stake.com . In traditional games, your job is to select the number of consecutive draws (10-20 numbers) on a sheet of paper, ranging from 1-80. In this regard, it’s similar to bingo and lottery games.
When the balls are drawn, you receive a payout depending on how many numbers you select accurately. Traditionally, keno is played with a ball machine with imprinted with numbers, which are entered into a transparent container, where they are spun and drawn.
Ultimately, the more consecutive numbers you match on your keno card, the bigger your payout. One thing to note about keno is that the payouts in a single game will differ from platform to platform, so it’s important to check the paytable before placing a bet, so you know what you can win by making accurate selections.
Traditional keno games are extremely straightforward and have been popular for generations. But thanks to technological advancements and the prominence of online gaming, keno games today have many attractive features, as explained below.
How to Play Keno Game Online
As is the case with online slots and table games , online keno is extremely popular today. In online keno, the structure and objectives of the game remain the same.
The main difference is that online keno games rely on a random number generator (RNG) to reveal the winning numbers instead of a draw, which is the case in traditional keno.
Another significant benefit of online keno games is that they typically comprise excellent graphics and are sometimes themed, making things more aesthetically pleasing and engaging for players.
One of the best things about online keno is that you can play wherever you are, and you don’t need to wait for carrier pigeons to bring you the results! Instead, you can easily make your selections at the Stake Casino and learn how much you stand to win within seconds, with keno bonus offers and casino promotions available at Stake.
Before playing keno online, remember that it’s a game of luck. It’s not like certain card games that incorporate an element of skill and strategy, as the result of keno is based on a random number generator. However, there are still tips and tricks that can be incorporated, especially when playing the free demo game !
Once you've had a go at our exciting keno game, play around with more Stake Original casino games online, including Limbo , Dice , Plinko , Mines , and Crash !
Also check out our range of video bingo games , and learn more with our guide to playing casino bingo .
Variations of Keno Games
You might come across several variations of keno online, so it’s important to be aware of them. Some of the variations include:
Power keno: The main feature of power keno is that you win a 4x multiplier if the last ball drawn in the game is one of your picks.
Mini keno: Most mini keno games draw ten balls from 40 as opposed to 20 from 80, as is usually the case in keno.
Way ticket keno: This game version allows you to play multiple keno games on a single ticket, similar to buying additional lines on a real-life lottery ticket.
Progressive jackpot keno: To qualify for a progressive jackpot in keno, you typically have to place a side bet – but this will be more than worth it if you can land the six or seven-figure jackpot!
Bonus spot keno: In bonus spot keno, the most important ball is the first that is drawn, awarding a multiplier of between 4x and 10x if it’s a ball that you have selected.
Live dealer keno: As with live casino games, you can find live dealer keno at some online casinos, a game with balls drawn by a real-life dealer, as opposed to RNG.
Tips for Playing Keno Games Online
So, now that you know about the history of keno and the available games, how should you play this legendary game? Here are some keno tips to help you get started:
Always check the pay table: Before playing keno online, you should always check the pay table, as different games offer different payouts and potential winnings.
Know your limits: Due to the pace of keno, it can be easy to get carried away when playing online. Make sure you know your limits, stay Stake Smart and call it a time when you’ve played with your set amount. We've developed a budget calculato r and responsible gaming resources to help you stay in control.
Play at a trusted online casino: When playing online keno, be sure to play at a trusted online casino like Stake.com to ensure a seamless online gaming experience. Check out our online casino guide to learn what to look out for.
Remember that the game is random: It can be tempting to try and strategise keno, but the outcomes are entirely unexpected as it is a game of chance. So, have fun and don’t worry too much about trying to find an edge.
How to Make a Deposit to Play Keno Online
Playing keno online for local currencies, Bitcoin or other available cryptocurrencies is easy on the Stake casino. You can deposit funds into your Stake.com account by following these simple steps listed below:
Step 1 - Retrieve your deposit address, located in Wallet > Deposit.
Step 2 - Choose the method which suits your needs. We offer many supported currencies including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Dogecoin (Doge) and many more. You can find more information about our local currency options on our community forum, as well as our local currency payment guide.
Step 3 - Use your deposit address as the 'Send to' location for your wallet or exchange.
Step 4 (Optional) - If you need to deposit fiat currency, you can buy crypto for Stake via Moonpay .
The best way to enjoy Stake Original games is with a bankroll boost. You can access the current promotions to play these games including daily races , weekly raffles, and Drops and Wins to keep your bankroll full.
We also invite you to learn more about the exclusive rewards available via the Stake VIP Club to access great value promotions and offers as you play. Check out our Stake VIP Club FAQs for more information and discover how you could earn members-only rewards such as a dedicated VIP Host , rakeback and reload bonuses!
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