What Are the Best Spots to Play in Keno?
Keno is a fun, lottery-style game where you pick numbers—or “spots”—and hope they match the ones drawn. But how many spots should you choose to have the best shot at winning? Let’s break it down and see what works.
In keno, you can usually pick between 1 and 20 spots from a pool of 80 numbers. Then, 20 numbers are drawn. The more spots you pick that match, the more you win—but the payouts and odds shift depending on how many you choose. Picking just 1 spot is easy to hit (a 1-in-4 chance), but the payout is tiny, often just double your bet. Picking all 20 is nearly impossible—odds are over 3 quintillion to 1—and even if you hit a few, the prize might not cover your bet.
Most players say the sweet spot is between 4 and 8 spots. Why? It balances decent odds with solid payouts. For example, picking 6 spots gives you a 1-in-7 chance to hit at least 3, which usually pays something. If you hit all 6, the payout can be hundreds or thousands of times your bet, depending on the game. Casinos often set paytables so 4 to 8 spots offer the best bang for your buck—enough wins to keep you playing, plus a shot at bigger prizes.
Some players like 10 spots for a mix of risk and reward. You’re more likely to match 5 or 6, which can pay well, but hitting all 10 is a long shot (1 in 8.9 million). Fewer than 4 spots can feel boring with small wins, while over 10 gets tricky—odds drop fast, and payouts don’t always scale up.
So, the best spots? Aim for 4 to 8. You’ll catch more wins, and the prizes can still make you smile. It’s less about luck and more about playing the numbers smart.
You can play Free Keno and Video Poker here just for fun.
Know Your Chances: Keno Odds Table
