In a typical game of keno, you buy a ticket and mark a certain amount of numbers on that ticket, after which the casino will select the winning numbers.
But there are several keno variations available, depending on the keno ticket type you've purchased and the gameplay itself. If you want to learn everything about the different keno game variations that exist, then read this article.
Keno Ticket Variations
Straight Keno Tickets
These are the most common form of keno tickets, and they contain 80 numbers. Your task is to select a certain amount of numbers on the ticket, commonly between 2 and 10, but these rules vary from casino to casino. After you've selected your numbers, the casino will draw 20 numbers by random, and you will be paid out depending on the amount of numbers you selected and the correct pick ratio.
Advice: If you select a higher amount of keno numbers on your ticket, then you have the chance win a lot more money than if you would have selected a smaller amount of numbers, but your winning chances will be considerably lower, as well.
When playing with a straight keno ticket, it's always recommended you select between 4 and 8 numbers because it's mathematically proven that these offer the biggest keno winning probabilities.
Split Keno Tickets
A split ticket is essentially a straight ticket, only that you play two or more keno games on that ticket. In order to do so, you must select a group of numbers and either circle it, or draw a line between another group of tickets you've selected.
Each designated keno number group will act like an independent game, but you are not allowed to select the same number for more than one group. Based on this, there is no real advantage splitting a keno ticket, only maybe in case you want to play more games and select totally different numbers for each individual game.
Combination Keno Tickets
Combo keno tickets work the same way as split tickets, namely that you have the possibility to place more than just one bet on a keno ticket, by creating separate groups of numbers. The only difference is that you can combine these groups to make additional bets.
For example, let's say you've selected three groups of numbers, one containing three numbers, one containing four numbers and one containing five numbers. Now, you have the possibility to combine these groups the way you like, for example, combining the three number group with the four number group, and create a new, seven number group. Each group, both the initial ones and the combined ones will act like separate keno games.
Advice: Combination keno tickets are immensely popular online, because it's much cheaper to buy one card and select multiple groups than buying a separate card for each keno bet. Always choose these tickets if you want to play more than just one keno game.
King Keno Tickets
King keno tickets are like split tickets, only that you will have to select a "king" number that will have to be present in each set of numbers you've chose on your ticket. If the king number will be selected by the casino, then most commonly you'll get a much higher payout.
Keno Gameplay Variations
Casino Keno
This variant of the game can only be played in a real casino, because the keno tickets come in a paper form. To play casino keno you must purchase a keno ticket and select your favorite numbers on it. Usually the casino will announce the winning numbers periodically, after a certain amount of time passes.
In a real casino that offers keno games, you'll always see announcement boards or displays that will always announce the selected keno winning numbers, so no matter where you're in the casino, so you'll always be informed.
Online Keno
This is the online variant of the land based keno game, and it comes with several advantages. To play online keno you only have to sign up at an online casino and deposit money, after which you can play keno games right from your computer.
Online keno games are much faster than real casino keno games because you can decide yourself when the casino should generate the winning numbers, meaning you don't have to wait for a certain period of time to pass.
These are the most common keno variations to choose from. If you would like to learn more about keno, then read our additional keno guides, as well.