Keno Glossary

All or Nothing
This ticket wins when either all the numbers (aka spots) are drawn (aka caught) or when zero spots are caught.

Ball Game
In land-based casinos the numbers are printed on balls in a manner similar to lotteries.

Balls
See above.

Bank
The money the casino makes available to pay out winnings.

Blank
This is a Keno card that someone requested but didn't use.

Blower
This is part of the ball-selection system used in land-based casinos. The blower blows the ball to a place where the dealer can take it.

Bowl
This is where the balls "take five" between games.

Bubble
This term usually refers to the entire large round space where the balls are. When the balls are at rest they are in the bowl. When the machine is turned on, they fly all around the bubble.

Buy-in Tournament
Players pay a fee to play a series of games in competition with other players.

Cage
Some casinos use a cage to hold the Keno balls.

Call
The official announcement of a number selected in Keno. Sometimes it is called out by loudspeaker so it can be heard all over the casino.

Caller
This is the casino worker who calls the numbers as they are chosen.

Card
The general name for a Keno ticket. Often the name "card" is used generally and "ticket" is used to indicate more specific betting options (see ticket).

Catch
This is the Keno term for a number that the player bet on and was then called in the game.

Catch All
This is similar to all or nothing but it eliminates the nothing part: a player must catch all the spots s/he chose.

Catch Zero
This is a variation game in which the player hopes to catch none of the spots s/he chose.

Close
The moment the house closes all betting on the next game. It also sometimes signifies the last moment a winner can claim his winnings from the previous game.

Combination Ticket
A betting card that allows many betting variations. The main purpose of the combination ticket is to enable the player to play many different games without having to fill out many cards.

Computer Ticket
A Keno card where the computer chooses the spots.

Crayon
The marker used in the Keno Lounges to choose spots.

Deuce
Two consecutive spots.

Draw
This term is both a noun and a verb. It means the set of 20 numbers drawn based on which winners are paid. It is also the act of removing those 20 numbered balls from the bubble.

Draw Sheet
A computer-generated paper that is distributed by the Keno staff that shows the draw from the previous game.

Edge Card
A bet on the 32 numbers that form the perimeter of the standard Keno card.

Enhanced Payoff
A promotion that raises the payout for games bet by using a combination ticket. The payout is higher than it would be had the games been played on separate tickets.

Entry-fee Tournament
A promotion in which players buy in to the competition in return for the chance at a much higher payout.

Exacta
A promotion offering higher payouts for buying a card for two consecutive games.

Field
The set of numbers on a Keno card that have not been circled. Circled numbers form a subset for combination purposes.

Flashboard
The display that shows the draw as it is being done.

Fractional Rate Ticket
This is usually used in way tickets. It enables the player to divide the bet among several choices thus lowering the bet per choice.

Free Play
A win that doesn't pay money but gives the player a free game.

Groups
These are the circled numbers on a Keno card. The circling separates groups from each other or from other marked spots.

Handle
The amount of money the house takes in during a given period of betting.

High-end Ticket
This card pays big when the player catches many numbers but less than normal when the player catches a small number of spots.

High-roller Ticket
A game that has a high minimum bet.

Hit
See catch.

Hold
The house's profit after payouts.

House
The casino.

House Edge
This is the house's inherent advantage over the player. The house's edge in Keno is very high, about 30%.

Inside Ticket
This is the card the player gives to the runner or directly at the Keno booth. The house processes the inside card and returns the outside card.

Jackpot
This term is often confused by players. It refers to progressive jackpots not regular game payouts.

Jackpot Meter
This is another board in the casino or in the Keno Lounge. This board shows the current progressive jackpot.

Keno Board
See flashboard

Keno Balls
See balls

Keno Booth
The place where bets and payouts are made.

Keno Lounge
This is a room set aside for Keno players where the Keno booths are located.

Keno Punch
This is the machine that creates the draw sheet by punching holes through the numbers drawn.

Keno Writer
The employee who services the bet, produces the inside card, and pays the winners.

King
A number circled on the Keno card. The King is used in combination tickets and way tickets.

Left-Right Ticket
This is a bet on the 40 numbers on either the left or the right half of the card. A minimum of 13 catches is usually needed to win.

Limit
The maximum the casino will pay out on a game or a bet.

Live Keno
Not video Keno. Both forms are often available in a land-based casino.

Mark
The mark that chooses the spot on a card. Most casinos require the mark to be an "x".

Multi-game Ticket
A card that can used again, sometimes for many consecutive games.

Open
The period when the Keno booths are open to accept bets.

Outside Ticket
This is the card the casino returns to the player on which all the player's bets for the next game are recorded. Only outside tickets can be redeemed for cash if they win (see inside ticket).

Pattern
Some players like to bet on patterns that are made on the card by their spots.

Pay Any Catch
A game where all catches are winners.

Payout
The money paid to winners.

Pay Table
Because there are so many different bets available, the casino posts a chart showing all possible payouts.

Stud
A promotion whereby the amount to be won increases until it is won.

Punch Outs
See draw sheet

Push
A payout that is the same as the amount bet.

Quick Pick
A Keno card in which the computer chooses the numbers to be bet.

Quit Race
This term refers to a player who cashes in a multi-game ticket before all the games have been played.

Race
A term that harkens to the time when the house pretended that Keno was a horse race so it would not be classified as a lottery which was at that time illegal in Nevada.

Rate
The minimum wager allowed for a given game or card.

Rate Card
See pay table

Regular Card
The standard Keno card.

Replay
When a player gives his old card to the writer and asks to make the same bet or bets again.

Runner
These are usually young women. Runners go around the casino calling out "Keno". They take inside tickets, bring back the corresponding outside tickets, and bring winnings. It is considered proper to tip runners and especially well after a win.

Sleeper
This is a winning ticket that was not presented to the Keno booth for payment.

Split Ticket
There are many ways to use one card to make many bets. These are generically called split tickets.

Spot
The number chosen by the player.

Ticket
See card

Top-Bottom Ticket
A bet on all 40 numbers in either the top half or the bottom half of the card. Usually at least 13 catches are needed for a win.

Touch Wand
A stick used to choose numbers on the Keno board.

Video Keno
This is a totally machine-driven Keno game, offered in casinos.

Way and Way Ticket
The way ticket allows the player to make many bets using one card. The player can divide the single bet into parts and apply those parts to the bets s/he chooses. Each individual bet on a way ticket is called a way.

Winning Numbers
The numbers in that game's draw.

Related Resources

How to Play
Glossary/Terminology
Strategy/Keno Payout Schedule
History

Click here for a full list of all casino game rules, how to play and strategies.

Continue reading here: Keno History

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