Casino Keno Is the Original Modern Keno
Keno was introduced into casinos around the early 1930's when Nevada legalized gambling. It had been brought to the U.S. by Chinese immigrants because Keno originated about two thousand years ago in China. That's why any beginning gambler probably runs into Keno for the first time when he visits a casino.
Keno: A Game for Pure Entertainment
Since Keno is based on pure luck and requires no great thought or strategy, professional gamblers usually refer to it as a "sucker's game". However, Casino Keno players generally like the game as an entertaining, fun thing to do when taking a break from the more dramatic table games of poker or blackjack.
Where to Look for Casino Keno
Most casinos put their Keno games into a special "Keno Lounge". This is an area with comfortable lounge chairs with arm rests that hold ashtrays, a place to rest drinks and cups with crayons to mark the Keno tickets. All the seats face the Keno counter and the Keno board. It is a really pleasant place to rest, relax and maybe pick up some lucky money.
Playing Casino Keno
Players are given a Keno ticket which consists of eight lines. Each line has ten numbers in consecutive order horizontally. The numbers go from one to eighty. This corresponds with the big, brightly lit Keno board. Alongside the Keno board is a big, clear drum holding ping-pong like balls which are also numbered from one to eighty.
The player then marks his ticket with the numbers he hopes will be thrown out of the drum. Each number selected by the player is called a "spot". If his selection should match one of the balls called, it is called a "hit" or a "catch". A player is allowed to select up to fifteen numbers, while the balls called go up to twenty. The numbers called light up on the big Keno board so that all the players can see them.
The player then decides how much money he plans to bet. Usually, in Casino Keno, the minimum wager is $1 and the maximum is $25. The player then hands his Keno ticket, or tickets (he can play more than one) to the Keno clerks who sit behind the Keno counter. It is important to remember that bets must be made before the numbers are called, and collection of winnings must be accomplished before the next game is played. A game is finished once all the twenty numbers spit out of the drum are called.
Play Keno All Over the Casino
Players do not have to sit in the Keno lounge in order to play Keno. In the casino restaurants and bars, and other public areas, there are Keno "runners" who will collect tickets and bets and deliver payouts to players.
However, the real fun and entertainment gained from playing Casino Keno is when the player enjoys the relaxing atmosphere of the Keno Lounge.
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