Question about the keno

Hello!

What’s the best number of picks in keno in terms of returns in the long run?

Thank you

Quote: Pushfordealer

Hello!

What’s the best number of picks in keno in terms of returns in the long run?

Thank you
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Zero.

Seriously, one of my "Ten Rules of Gambling" (which include "Don't bet money you cannot afford to lose," "There is no such thing as a guaranteed system," "Don't play 6-5 blackjack," and "Don't play triple-zero roulette") is, "Don't Play Keno." (Originally, Keno was such a bad game that it was actually Rules 1, 3, and 5, just to get the point across.) The last time I looked, the best play in live-action (i.e. not on a machine) keno was 1 spot, and that had a house edge of 25%, but I think this was back in the days when the maximum payout was $25,000; I'm pretty sure machines have a much better return than this.

Other than that, it depends on the pay tables; I don't think this has an easy answer that applies universally.

I’ve never played Keno but I think there’s an argument to be made for live Keno. If you’re betting small (I think mon bets can be $1) and there are only 10-15 bets resolved per hour (I have no idea if this is accurate but I’m pretty sure there aren’t 100 games per hour live), your expected loss is going to be much lower than BJ at $5/hand for 150 hands per hour.

I used to think sports betting was foolish. 4.5% house edge! (I believe that’s accurate for a -110 line) That’s 5-10x higher than any decent BJ game. It took me a few years to appreciate that one $50 sports bet at 4.5% house edge followed up by watching a game and enjoying the highs and lows and drama for 2-3 hours is an infinitely better bet for my bankroll than 2-3 hours of $10 blackjack

There is also an argument for machine keno, if a suitable progressive is involved.

You will have to do your own math in this case, and it will inform your decision on the number of spots to pick.

Straight machine keno is probably a losing play.

Different numbers of spots on different machines can slightly vary in the percentage of pay backs. Most keno machines hold about 9% you can find some with better paybacks.

In general, keno is a bad bet, but it's probably better than the average slot machine payback.

Many modern keno machines can be played super fast.

Quote: Dieter

There is also an argument for machine keno, if a suitable progressive is involved.

You will have to do your own math in this case, and it will inform your decision on the number of spots to pick.

Straight machine keno is probably a losing play.
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Cherokee had multiple $50,000 progressive keno machines, but it just seems like a bad bet when for nearly the same amount of money you can play various state lotteries that have a lot larger payouts.

Quote: ChallengedMilly

Quote: Dieter

There is also an argument for machine keno, if a suitable progressive is involved.

You will have to do your own math in this case, and it will inform your decision on the number of spots to pick.

Straight machine keno is probably a losing play.
link to original post

Cherokee had multiple $50,000 progressive keno machines, but it just seems like a bad bet when for nearly the same amount of money you can play various state lotteries that have a lot larger payouts.
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"Suitable" and "You will have to do your own math" are important parts of good game selection.

Here is an online calculator to calculate the return of Keno

WOO Keno Return Calculator

On this page you must first enter a number of picks. On the next screen it will request you to put in the specific paytable for that specific number of picks, and then it it will provide the Return to Player for that specific 'number of picks'. By repeating this for 1 pick, 2 picks, 3 picks, etc. you can then calculate the return for all the options for 'number of picks' and see for yourself which has the best return.