If you’re going to play Keno, you’ll want to play at the best keno casinos and get the most out of your keno dollars. There are a number of things to consider like playing games that may have better pay tables than others, the amenities of the casino, and the available limits. Often it simply comes down to value and the keno casino experience that you enjoy.
Pesach Kremen, who writes for Gaming Today suggests the following casinos for what he feels are the best values for particular locations.
LAS VEGAS DOWNTOWN: The D, El Cortez, California.
LAS VEGAS STRIP: Excalibur.
OFF STRIP (locals): Gold Coast, The Orleans, Sams Town, Palace Station, Boulder Station.
RENO/SPARKS: The Atlantis, Peppermill, Rail City, Nugget.
The casinos mentioned above have reasonable to very good games, significant comp programs, and lots of good ticket options. In Northern Nevada The Atlantis smokes the competition with their More to the Meter Progressive, top-notch hotel and restaurants, and some of the best customer service to be experienced. Sue Chau is an exceptional keno manager and oversees their 24/7 game. You’ll love the excitement of playing their 9-spot progressive which is now over $1.1M as of this writing; if you happen to be in the area be sure to give it a try!
In downtown Las Vegas, The D offers the best return for lower level play in their Deano rate, averaging an 85% return. The California is a great keno casino and has one of the friendliest and professional keno manager’s in Las Vegas – Carolyn Bankston; if you happen to be a rated player, ask for Robyn Cordova to be your host. You’ll find that The California also offers great tournaments and generous comps for reasonable play.
The famous El Cortez offers 10 different Keno rates, including Mega-Keno. A very good host to contact is, Nords Malilay, who is very attentive to the needs of the players. Not only is El Cortez a great keno casino, it has some of the most liberal table games and video poker in the downtown area. Many regular players agree that it is perhaps the best overall place to gamble in Southern Nevada.
You won’t go wrong if you make The Orleans your keno casino. It has a good game, excellent tournaments, and another great keno manager, Annette Dearinger. Comps for keno players are pretty good as well. Sue Grossman runs a good keno game at The Gold Coast with two weekly mini-tournaments available to qualifying players.
The point is that there are plenty of good places to play that really do appreciate your play. You’ll also find courteous and friendly casino employees as well who will help you enjoy your time playing the game.
If you are new to keno, just find the keno casino that you like, take a comfortable seat in the keno lounge and pick up the keno pay book. In it you will find suggestions, game rules and, often, how to play “way” tickets. If you have questions, ask the writers, they will be glad to answer them.
Invest in a keno book available at The Gambler’s Book Club/General Store in Vegas or online through your favorite bookseller.
Don’t forget Mega-Keno throughout Nevada and the Jumbo at the Station Casinos. Playing a keno progressive has a feature in common with a video poker or video keno progressive, you can figure the odds when you’re ready to play, unlike many slot progressives.
So come on and play. What are you waiting for? The 9-spot at Atlantis is over $1.1M and the Mega10 is approaching $2M Good luck!
Based on an article by Pesach Kremen for Gaming Today, Edited by Gary Bry for TheMysticGambler.com
Thank you for the great info.
Cal Neva in Reno has all machines with 4 card keno set 95 % return (1660) on a nickel bet. Noticed today that Atlantis has upped return to 95% on more than half of machines, even the jackpot groups. Peppermill still just 5 machines at maximum return, the rest at 92.5%.
I like playing in Mesquite, Nv. I like the Eureka for video Keno. I’ve won more there than any casino in Las Vegas
The D in Vegas has the best paying tickets PERIOD.