Keno Strategy Guide: How to Win at Keno

Although keno is a game of chance where players cannot influence the outcome, certain keno strategies might give you an edge for winning.

The best way to win at keno is to play a variant of the game with a high return-to-player rate. 

Another would be to bet on the bonus ball more often, provided there is one, of course.

In this guide, you will learn:

• What are Keno Strategies? Do They Really Work?
• Top 7 Best Keno Strategies
• Why Budget Management is Essential in Keno: Top 4 Tips 
• Keno Strategy Myths: Do They Check out?
• Can You Actually Win at Keno Every Round?
• 5 Ways to Master the Keno Strategy
• Expert’s Advice: How to Win at Keno Using the Best Strategy

Let’s dive right in!

What are Keno Strategies? Do They Really Work?

The best way to approach this topic is to accept the hard truth right from the start. 

There are no strategies that guarantee you will win a game of keno.

The reason is simple: keno is a game of chance, and no player can influence the outcome of the winning numbers that are drawn. 

Just like any other casino game, every outcome is purely luck-based.

 Still, as an experienced player, I am convinced that they can turn the odds in their favor by following a simple set of rules:

1. Pick the games with high payouts
2. Learn more about the winning odds
3. Understand key keno terms
4. Keep selections between four to eight numbers
5. Focus on hot or cold numbers
6. Don’t change your numbers too often

Top 7 Best Keno Strategies Explained

In this guide, you’ll find insights on the best keno strategies, like why you should choose the consecutive numbers or split your bankroll across as many cards as possible. 

Upgrading your knowledge and learning how to play keno online is important if you want to gamble with less risk. Plus, it will also help you get closer to more consistent wins over time.

There are plenty of powerful strategies to win at keno.

While some may help you increase the chances of winning, some will make you lose if not used correctly.

To approach this game of chance with low favorable odds requires you to comprehend variations in terms of rules and gameplay styles. 

The first step is getting the hang of both land-based and video keno. It will help you realize your full potential.

Check out 7 of the most popular keno strategies you can use right away:

1. Four Card Keno Strategy

Known as the “light version” of video poker among some players, the concept of four cards is straightforward. If you go for the 4-card keno strategy, you will be allowed to play up to four cards in the same game.

You are not required to play all four. 

You start by simply picking a certain number of spots on each card. Once you are done with the selection, the random number generator determines the 20 winning numbers.

Statistically, the biggest advantage of playing with four cards is the increased chance of winning.

However, there is a downside. 

You must mind your picks and be extra careful with your bankroll, because the more cards you choose, the higher your minimum investment gets, as you need to pay for each card individually.

The real advantages of this strategy are additional cards used to cover the keno board so that potentially every drawn number can match one of the picks.

Players usually load up their favorite clusters by marking more tickets and then keep their fingers crossed to hit multiple jackpots.

2. Mass Keno Strategy

There are five numbers that are drawn in video keno most often. These include 1, 4, 23, 34, and 72, and they are considered to be “hot”. 

That’s why the best possible way to win when playing for real cash is by utilizing the five (or more) most-drawn digits.

If you opt for the mass keno strategy, try using a computer algorithm to make more accurate calculations.

According to data from thousands of games of keno, the following numbers were also marked as hot: 2, 27, 35, 40, 50, and 65.

3. 7-Spot Keno Strategy

Regarded as a powerful betting technique, the 7-spot keno strategy can potentially increase your chances of getting the big seven. 

Catching just one seven-spot pattern could win you thousands of dollars, but rest assured, it's not as easy as it sounds. 

To benefit from this strategy, you will have to play a lot smarter, as the outcome depends exclusively on how much you bet. 

Truth be told, the odds of winning at keno by utilizing this trick are similar to getting a royal flush in video poker.

Here’s how you do it, step-by-step:

Step 1 - Split the board in half

The first thing you must do is divide the keno board in half. You will get the upper half with numbers 1 through 40 and the lower ranging from 41 to 80.

Step 2 - Divide the board into quadrants 

Now, on average, 10 of the 20 selected keno numbers will appear on top and 10 will emerge below. 

Each time you divide the board again into quadrants allows you to play using the law of average probability, meaning that about 5 numbers out of 20 should eventually show up in each quadrant over time.

Step 3 - Bet on the number clusters

Next, when the law of averages makes certain keno numbers clump together into clusters in quadrants 7, 8 or 9, the idea is to catch a 7 spot and maximize the exposure. 

It may sound difficult, but you can try by selecting 4 unique 7 spots that share 3 or 4 numbers with the other cards.

Step 4 - Wait for the 7-spot with maximum odds

Now that you’ve increased your chances of winning on multiple cards, the idea is to wait for the 7-spot to kick in. 

You should be able to reduce the numbers by playing the lower left quadrant with clusters. For example: 43, 44, 52, 53, 54, 62, and 63. Make sure to reduce the numbers as evenly as possible.

4. Club Keno Strategy

This game variant offers fun, fast, and continuous keno action due to the large number of drawings, usually occurring every few minutes. 

Being easy to play, Club Keno is filled with opportunities to win large cash prizes, amounting up to $2,000,000 for a $20 wager.

It is said that the best club keno strategy is to choose numbers between 4-8 as they have the highest odds of success. 

You are statistically best off with 5-number picks with the greatest chance to succeed, and the more numbers matched, the more wins.

Another great thing about playing a 10-spot game in club keno is that you can win even if you don't match any numbers at all. Believe it or not, there are 10-spot and 9-spot games that pay $4 or $2 for zero hits, respectively, but they’re a bit difficult to find online.

Importantly, should more than five players win the maximum $1 million prize on Club Keno by matching the same amount of numbers on the same spot in a draw, the prize of $5 million is split equally among them.

5. Cleopatra Keno Strategy

This variant is also one of the most exciting and beloved formats of the popular casino game of chance. 

Cleopatra Keno basically works like lottery, so to start, you must place a bet, mark 3-10 numbers and hope the RNG will pick 20 numbers to your advantage. 

There is a common belief that the Cleopatra Keno strategy requires a combination of 5-8, Martingale, and maximum round play, thus giving the best results.

If you want to rely on the odds in this game, then try picking 5 to 8 numbers. The reason for this is a higher statistical Return To Player percentage.

By using the most talked-about betting strategy for keno and other casino games in the world, Martingale System, you should be able to double your money. Statistically speaking.

This rewarding system can be fun, but if left unattended, the strategy can eat through your budget. 

So, if you do decide to double your bets following every loss until you win, go slow. 

Repeating this step several times per play session might bring you significant profits but remember to always keep it under control. 

Lastly, the maximum round strategy will require you to set a maximum bankroll amount that you are willing to spend and play the biggest amount of rounds you can afford. 

6. Keno Systems Strategy

The only system that can bring you the most success in keno is the one that involves covering every possible combination of numbers. 

Nonetheless, such an approach would cost you more money than you’d be able to win. Ever.

The keno systems strategy is theoretically highly practical due to its low cost, only your odds are quite loose here. 

By way of explanation, if you’re playing keno with 80 numbers, you could make 8 entries and cover 10 different numbers. 

The best-case scenario is to catch all the numbers drawn, but there is no guarantee that any of your entries of those numbers will be selected. 

7. Round Robin Keno Strategy

If you are a multiple-card player, the Round Robin keno strategy is what you should consider every now and then. It can be used on 6 sets of cards with 3 cards in each set. 

In addition, this system is best applied on the 20-card keno or live keno. By playing three sets of numbers on each card, you can rotate the sets to create different winning combinations on each card. 

Also, choosing six number sets of two to three numbers or taking all six sets in groups can potentially generate all possible combinations of three out of six.

Round Robin is also a long-term strategy, and it could pay off if the player gambles for a longer period.

Why Budget Management is Essential in Keno - Top 4 Tips 

Implementing good money management is always the best keno strategy. 

Not only does it help you stay afloat for a longer period of time, but it also teaches you how to take care of your money.

That’s why, learning some keno money management skills like building your bankroll, opting for smaller bets, or tracking the expenditure is the next level in becoming a pro. 

Before you establish a budget and set your bankroll’s time span according to your playing style, make sure you’re familiar with Keno bonuses. In many cases, they can also be an important factor for a successful management plan.

Here are 4 tips for proper keno budget management:

1. Keep a separate keno budget

When setting up funds for keno, a specific amount should be considered as a separate entity. 

It shouldn’t be part of any personal or business budget, so you could use it without any reservations. 

That way, your funds are kept separate from the money that was not intended to be spent on gambling in the first place. 

On that note, keep in mind that personal funds go away pretty fast and cannot be easily compensated.

2. Divide your bankroll by session

Another good way to manage your money for keno would also be to divide your bankroll by the number of sessions you intend to play. 

This is a great approach for increasing your bankroll time span in case you plan to visit Vegas and play keno every day, for example. 

The other side of it is adapting the bankroll to your gambling style, be it a leisure activity or a professional hustle.

3. Choose the correct paytable variations

When playing keno, it’s important to be aware of paytable variations. While some games may repay more than others, even small changes in variance can add up to huge losses. 

With this in mind, finding online keno with better payout percentage will allow you to play longer with the same amount of money. 

4. Stop when it’s time

The ultimate money management trick to keep up your sleeve is to KNOW WHEN TO STOP. Never chase any losses, don’t increase in denomination, play low to have entertainment, and put earnings aside rather than replaying them.

Keno Strategy Myths – Do They Check out?

Keno’s popularity has grown immensely over the years. 

Due to its fierce reputation as a quick-fire casino game with low odds of winning, certain keno strategy myths have become quite common on the internet. 

Some are ridiculous and some stick around, affecting the general opinion in the long run. 

Before you fall for any keno myths, here’s a quick fact check of three busted and plausible myths you should consider for future play:

1. Keno Has the Worst RTP

 While this statement may be plausible when playing keno at land-based casinos (where the RTP is up to 70%), the real truth is that the RTP in online keno can be anywhere between 90-95%, which is quite similar to slots. 

This ratio is a lot better than in many other popular casino games, so don’t believe all the terrible things you find about keno.

Take Magical Keno by Caleta Gaming for example. It was released in 2020 with Fast Pick and Magical Wheel Bonus, featuring a 95% RTP, just like any other slot machine.

2. There are No Real Keno Strategies

 True, but only up to a point. 

Although keno is a game of luck, there are a number of ways to, if nothing, increase your odds and chances of winning. 

You can find some common tips to make your experience better, but never forget that keno is a game of chance – it should be treated like lottery and bingo.

 3. Lucky Numbers Make All the Difference

Each number in a game of keno has the same probability of winning. 

There are no lucky numbers that would make all the difference.

Picking the same numbers will probably eat through your budget instead of bringing you a win.

Can You Actually Win at Keno Every Round?

Each player has an almost one-in-four chance to win a five-number selection in keno. If you take a look at the odds, it’s pretty much clear what the actual chances of winning look like.

 To make a single hit in keno, the odds stand at 1 in 86.446 or 1.15678605%. 

However, making two hits is a much more likely situation with 1 in 20.115 or 4.97142576%. As you can see, the higher the percentage of numbers you get, the better the payout.

It gets tricky with 10 hits or more: 1 in 253.801 or 0.39401000%. 

The higher the number of spots after this threshold, the smaller your chances of getting the prize, especially if you’re aiming for 20-number hits, where the odds are insane - 1 in 3,535,316,142,212,173,800 to be precise.

The best chances of success in a 20-spot game give you around five hits. 

Therefore, the real truth is that no, you can’t win at keno every round, but there are some ways to maximize your odds.

5 Ways to Master the Keno Strategy

The following tips can prove very valuable if you’re 100% geared up on learning how to play keno and win. 

There are five or more rules for boosting your winning chances, but always remember that you’re playing a luck-based game with a high house edge.

Practice Makes Perfect

First and foremost, everything starts with learning some basics. Always play keno for free to get a hold of the game. 

You may think of this like it’s a waste of time, but practicing can actually save you a lot of money when playing for real. 

By playing free keno casino games, you will figure out how to win, learn various tips on how to improve your chances, or notice important differences in payouts, for example. 

Small Bets, Small Steps

Keeping things in control and within your budget limits is the next step. Make sure you always know your boundaries and start playing with small bets. 

Choose several numbers at once in the same draw, and you will soon get an idea of the choices that have better outcomes.

Know the Odds

Regardless of the variant you’re playing, the odds of winning at keno will depend on how many numbers you choose. 

For instance, if you select 20 numbers, the odds of getting just one right are 1 in 86. Things get quite complicated for getting all 20 at once and even look like a statistical error - 1 in 3,535,316,142,212,173,800 

Keep these odds in mind and leverage them to your advantage when making your selections. That way it is possible to increase your chances before the draw. 

Likewise, visit our Keno Academy to build your skills further and understand odds through charts.

Pick Between 4 and 8 Numbers

By keeping your picks between four to eight numbers you increase the odds at keno. For example, guessing five out of five numbers leads to a payout of 50 to 1. 

Compared to guessing five numbers out of ten, the payout reduces to 3 to 1.

Choosing more than eight numbers will require you to hit at least four or more digits to get the extra prize money though. 

That’s quite hard to achieve, so you better stick to a proven theory if you’re new to keno.

Hot and Cold Numbers Might be Your Best Bet

There is another myth related to playing, not only keno but other games of luck too. Namely, it is very popular among players to pick either hot or cold numbers and stick to them while betting.

To clarify, hot numbers are considered to be those that have been drawn out the most during the previous five or ten games. 

The opposite logic refers to the so-called cold numbers or those that haven’t been drawn for the past fifteen to twenty games. 

Do not rely on this strategy too much though. 

You can try to be consistent, but don’t change your numbers too soon, and also, don’t stick to your lucky numbers either – such an approach may consume your budget very fast.

Expert’s Advice: How to Win at Keno Using the Best Strategy

If you still can’t decide what is the best keno strategy to win, always go back to the golden rule: choose casinos with better payouts (RTP). 

To get even more chances, apply one of the strategies I named here or find the perfect combination and recipe to obtain the best results. 

This may include opting for the most drawn numbers in keno, selecting between four and eight numbers, or going for the hot ones like 1, 2, 4, 23, 27, and so on.

Final Thoughts – Is Keno Only Based on Luck?

Winning at keno is based on a Random Number Generator, it’s a matter of luck. 

However, some skills can help you leverage the odds or at least make the most of some strategies – if they can even be considered successful.

The only thing certain about keno is that no matter how you choose to pick numbers, you are always playing a game of luck. 

The odds of taking out a big win are stupefyingly low, meaning that in the end, more than anything else, you will need luck by your side to walk away with the maximum prize of $2,000,000.

Using the knowledge from this guide can only help you influence the game’s outcomes up to a certain point.