What Are the Odds of Playing Video Keno?

Live keno has some of the worst odds of any casino game. The slowness of play seems to help offset the terrible odds. On the other hand, what are the odds of playing video keno?

We've been getting this question more frequently lately. Possibly, it's because video keno seems to be a popular game with younger machine gamblers and more machines seem to be showing up as a result.

Anyway, here's what Michael "Wizard of Odds" Shackleford has to say about the house advantage on video keno.

The RTP, which stands for "return to player," on video keno ranges from 85% to 94%, depending on how stingy or liberal the slot director is. As a general rule, the nicer the casino, the tighter the slots.

My book Gambling 102 lists the RTP for any standard paytable for keno games: spot, Caveman, Cleopatra, Power, Triple Power, and Extra Draw. By checking the lists first, you'll know what you're up against before you bet, though in the end, all keno machines that hold between 6% and 15% are too much to be up against.

No part of this answer may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the publisher.

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Kevin Lewis Jun-03-2023

Emerald Island

Has the best Keno machines in town, along with several keno-oriented promos on certain days of the week. All games can be played for .01. Most of their machines have the most generous paytables available. I've calculated that the optimal play, during their 100x point promo periods, actually RETURNS 100 PERCENT. During 25x promo periods, it's still over 96%. If it's a keno bonus day, it's over 97%. And then you can feed your face at the EI Grill.

[email protected] Jun-03-2023

What are the odds of playing video keno?

Well, if one out of every 20 people passing through the casino play the game, the odds of playing video keno are 19-1 against. :-)

Sandra Ritter Jun-03-2023

Kevin

I have a cousin who now lives in Henderson, and I may visit him. Are the VP odds also decent there?

Gregory Jun-03-2023

Trip saver...

After spending 3 days getting my ass kicked on $ DDB I was down to my last $100. I resorted to playing 20 cent keno.  I hit 8 out of 9 for $940.  With my windfall, I went back to $ DDB.   I ended up getting 4 aces ($800), two sets of low card 4OAK with a kicker ($1600) and 4 aces with a kicker ($2000).  All on the last day of the trip, putting me up $400 for the trip home.  This was back in 2018 before there was Jackpot of the Week.

CLIFFORD Jun-03-2023

THANKS

KEVIN ---I'M ON MY WAY.. HAPPY AMERICAN INDIAN CITIZENSHIP DAY by the way...gonna hit the EI GRILL- YUMMY W/CHEAP FOOD--BUT OF COURSE NOT A TOP 10 PLACE

O2bnVegas Jun-03-2023

I miss live Keno

Always enjoyed a few games of live Keno in Bellagio Cafe and Augustus Cafe (Caesars, back in the day) during breakfasts and lunches.  Got to know the runners at Bellagio, which made it even more fun.  Spent little, often won a little. 

Candy

Kevin Lewis Jun-03-2023

Sandra

More than decent--the best in town now, and you can play for pennies at full pay. LVA has a couple of great coupons. See the February (? I think) newsletter for a full writeup.

Candace Corbani Jun-03-2023

Optimal Play?

What is Optimal Play in Keno Kevin?

Jackie Jun-03-2023

First video keno played

A friend of mine joined me for a casino visit.  She plays slots and I play poker.  While taking a poker break I spot her at a slot and waved high.  She motioned me over. She was sitting at a video keno machine, first I ever saw, and asked me how you play it.

I explained the typical pick 6 play or any amount of numbers and that you got paid by how many you matched. She already had a bet in the machine but asked me to make the pick to see how it works.
I random picked 6 numbers and pressed play.

All 6 hit.

She was happy, it was her money and that was the first time in my life that a keno pick of mine ever matched all numbers and got paid off, but since it was her money it was her win. 
I still have never won at keno.

No, she didn't share.

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