How to play keno
Keno is one of the simplest games there is: pick some numbers, ten are drawn, and the more you match the more you win. Here’s how the 40-tile version on Vantri works, and what the odds really are.
The rules
- Pick 1 to 10 numbers from the board of 40. Tap tiles yourself or use Auto pick.
- Choose your bet and a risk level: Low, Classic, Medium or High.
- Press Bet. Ten numbers out of 40 are drawn.
- Count your hits. Each number you picked that was drawn is a hit. The row of multipliers under the board shows what each number of hits pays. Your winnings are your bet times that multiplier.
Example: you pick 5 numbers on Medium and bet 10 credits. If 4 are drawn, the 4-hit multiplier is 14×, so you win 140 credits.
What the risk levels mean
The risk level doesn’t change the draw. It changes how the winnings are shared out across results.
- Low (up to 1,000×): pays on most rounds, often around your stake back, with modest top prizes. With 10 picks, about 4 in 5 rounds pay something.
- Classic (up to 100×): a balanced spread with a lower ceiling.
- Medium (up to 1,000×): fewer small wins, bigger jumps for 5 or more hits.
- High (up to 1,000×): most rounds pay nothing; the rare big matches pay a lot. With 10 picks, about 1 round in 5 pays.
Every risk level and number of picks returns about 99% on average over the long run. That figure is shown at the bottom of the game for whatever you’ve chosen.
The real odds
With 10 picks, here’s how often you can expect each number of hits:
| Hits (of 10) | Chance | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 3.54% | 28 |
| 1 | 16.88% | 6 |
| 2 | 31.07% | 3 |
| 3 | 28.82% | 3 |
| 4 | 14.71% | 7 |
| 5 | 4.24% | 24 |
| 6 | 0.68% | 147 |
| 7 | 0.06% | 1,740 |
| 8 | 0.002% | 43,303 |
| 9 | <0.0001% | 2,825,535 |
| 10 | <0.0001% | 847,660,528 |
Want the odds and payouts for any number of picks and risk level? Use the keno odds calculator.
Myths worth ignoring
- “Hot” and “cold” numbers. Each draw is independent. A number that came up three times in a row is no more or less likely next time.
- Patterns on the board. Corners, lines and lucky numbers all have exactly the same chance.
- Betting systems. Doubling after a loss changes how your results swing, not the average return. It can empty a balance quickly.
How you know it’s fair
Every round on Vantri is provably fair. Before you bet, you’re shown a fingerprint of a secret server seed. Your result comes from that seed, your own client seed and a bet counter. When you reveal the seed, you can recheck any past round yourself, so results can’t be changed after you bet.
Questions
- Is this real money?
- No. Vantri uses play credits only. They have no cash value and can’t be withdrawn, traded or swapped for prizes.
- What happens when I run out of credits?
- You can claim free credits every 12 hours when you’re below 1,000, and earn more by inviting friends.
- What’s the best number of picks?
- None beats the maths: every option returns about 99% on average. Pick for the feel you want: fewer picks for steadier results, more for bigger swings.