Keno? How is it Played? Where is it Popular?
Have you ever wondered about Keno? It’s a fascinating gambling game played at both live and online casinos. The game has a rich history and is particularly popular in China and Macao, where it originated. Keno is sometimes referred to as the Chinese lottery.
How is Keno played?
Keno is an easy-to-understand game that blends elements of a lottery and bingo. Players are given a simple betting slip with the numbers 1-80 listed on it and can mark 20 selections. At this point, the bettors submit their tickets along with a bet – they will often get a copy of the submitted ticket to track their progress for the next phase of the game.
The Keno caller will call out 20 numbers between 1 and 80 using a random number generator or another device. Players can win money if they select enough numbers that were called out. The house/casino rules often vary, with some requiring at least three or four matches to win something. The more numbers that are matched, the greater the return. The most significant return comes from matching all 20 numbers; however, the chances of doing that are over three quintillion to one.
It is worth noting that some game variations feature fewer or more than 80 numbers on the sheet and numerical variations on the number of selections a player can make, so it might be best to figure out the best way to play keno by reading this strategy guide before you dive in.
Did Keno Build the Great Wall of China?
When people talk about Keno and its history, it’s common to hear the story/belief that the Chinese rulers at the time of the construction of the Great Wall used the game to help finance the wall’s construction. However, some people do not believe this, as Chinese records do not document gambling for state income until much later in the country’s history.
Results by Bird
The first official record of Keno being played dates back to 1847 when the Portuguese government of Macao regulated the game and licensed it to some operators. These embryonic bets were made bizarrely, as the tickets were sent to the casino by post. Then, the results of the weekly draw would be posted to participating nearby villages by carrier pigeon!
Expansion and Eventual Bingo
As mentioned above, Keno started in Macao. However, it soon spread to China—initially in Guangdong. The game would spread to the West when a wave of Chinese immigrants taught it to Americans, many of whom helped build the first American transcontinental railroad. Some believe that in the US, early forms of bingo were derived from Americans changing Keno from the original format.
Keno Strategies
There is a notable strategy which some Keno players use to enhance their potential returns. While the rules can differ, some variations allow bettors to select numbers with less than 20 (or the maximum permitted amount) but with a higher stack. In such a case, odds can be enhanced, and the returns can be improved.
Keno in 2024
It’s no wonder that Keno has also entered the digital and online gambling space. Therefore, it is expected to be available on many online betting sites, especially those tailored to Chinese and Chinese-speaking audiences.
As such, Keno now adopts the same system as many other chance-based gambling games, as it uses random number generators to determine which numbers are called out.
In terms of popularity by geographic location, Keno is still enjoyed in China in great numbers. However, Australia also enjoys a healthy uptake in the game, while European markets like Romania, Croatia, Poland and Greece enjoy a decent Keno following.
However, the game is often available in other areas but on specialist lottery sites aimed at specific demographics of gamblers who prefer chance-based games over skill-based casino games.
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