One of the oldest games in casinos that still exist today is Keno. Would you believe that the game appeared in China in 187 BC? Keno was introduced by Cheung Leung of Han Dynasty, when his city was at war for several years, and started running out of money and supplies.
Cheung Leung conceptualized an idea that would both fund his army and would not add extra taxation on his citizens, the game enabled Cheung Leung to acquire sufficient money in order to finance the war. It is then called as the “Game of the White Pigeon”, because with lack of communication around the countryside, the news of successes and losses is relayed by a dove.
The game invented by Cheung Leung is somewhat similar to the modern game of Keno we are playing today. The game of Keno is a lottery game similar to bingo, in the early times lottery is strictly prohibited but horse races is legal, so a game of Keno is called a “race” to conceal it’s true identity.
It is usually played in lounges at the casinos specifically allocated for the game. To keep the players informed of the winning numbers, television monitors are spread all over the casino halls.
You can also enjoy playing Keno in the internet just visit the most trusted online casino sites that provide you a list of the best casino to maximize your gaming experience, or play the video version of Keno, the coin operated slots-like machines, that applies the same principle and similar rules but the results is much faster.
To start the game of Keno, a player must select a minimum of but not more than 10 numbers between 1 to 80. “Spot” is called to each selection, so if you select 10 numbers you are playing the 10 Spot game. Keno tickets are available at the tables all over the casino and right to the casino’s Keno lounge. A “Keno Crayon” is provided by the casino for this purpose.
Simply mark with the numbers of your selection a blank keno ticket. After that you will present your ticket to the keno desk together with your wager and a duplicate ticket will be given to you by the clerk. In a few moment, twenty numbered balls will be drawn from a barrel containing 80 numbered balls, and if sufficient numbers from your selections are drawn, then you are a winner. There are screens that display the results called Keno boards, throughout the casino.
You can bet the minimum as low as 5 cents, although other casinos only accept $1 bets or higher. The house’s keno brochures gives you information about various tickets you can play and payouts.
The amount of money you can win depends upon the type of ticket you play and the number of spots caught. You can play as many tickets as possible. You could win a whopping $50,000 on a $1 wager in some casinos.
According to the Keno game played, the house advantage on Keno varies. It is always around 30% or higher. The chances of hitting one number in 80 is only 0.25%, making it your worst bet in Keno.
By Grass
The author write articles about online casino games.