Page 6 - April 2011 • Southern California Gaming Guide

Bill Burton: About Gambling
WKeno Gone Video: A Great Casino Game
hen I started visiting casinos, table games dominated and slot machines were relegated to the perimeter of the casino floor or small areas. Of course, this has all changed, and now the roles have reversed and slot machines rule. This is not to say
that live casino games are going to be defunct any time soon. Games like blackjack, roulette and craps all have loyal followings and remain some of the most popular casino games of all time. Although live games will always attract lots of players, there are still some people who are hesitant to play a table game, either because they are intimidated by playing with others, or uncomfortable with the higher wagering limits required at the tables.
Over the last 20 years or so, slot makers have tried to incorporate some of the popular table games into slot machines. For the most part, electronic versions of table games have fallen short and never really caught on. Live casino games o er players some of the best odds, and they have a low house edge. However, when these games are converted into a slot machine, the house edge is increased by several percentage points, turning a good table game into a bad slot game. is is usually done by changing the pay structure for a winning hand.
For example, in a live blackjack game a natural blackjack pays 3 to 2, but in a slot machine, it pays even money. is is why many popular table games have never caught on when converted to a slot. ere is, however, one exception where a notoriously bad casino game has been converted into a great slot machine game. e game is Video Keno.
Keno is played with eighty numbered balls. In each game 20 out of the 80 will be drawn. e numbers are matched to the spots on a player’s ticket. Winners are paid based on the pay table for the number of winning spots that are drawn
for that game. Live Keno has the distinction of being one of the worst games you can play in the casino. Keno is a game similar to the lottery. e odds of drawing any number of spots doesn’t change, and the house edge comes from the payout for the winning numbers. is varies from casino to casino, but usually runs from 25 to 40 percent, or higher.
Video Keno o ers the player much better returns than live Keno. Because it is actually a slot machine, the payback
percentage must be in line with other slot machines on the casino oor. Because the probability of hitting any number of spots is the same in live or Video Keno, the return percentage for the game is altered by changing the pay table.
Like Video Poker, the pay tables can vary from casino to casino. e number of winning spots needed to collect may change as well. For example, if you pick 8 spots, you may get paid something if you hit 5, 6, 7 or 8 spots on one slot machine, but only get paid if you hit 6, 7 or 8 on a machine with a di erent pay schedule.
e amount you collect can also vary dramatically from one slot machine to the next on the top prize in the same casino. Payouts for bigger hits like 6 out of 6 or 7 out of 7 or 8 out of 8 can vary by hundreds of credits per bet. For example, an 8 for 8 can pay 8,000 credits on one machine and pay 10,000 on another. is is why it is so important to check the pay tables of a Video Keno game before you play, just as you would in Video Poker. You should check out several machines before sitting down to play. Video Keno has been growing in popularity with players looking to hit a jackpot that is comparable to a Video Poker game.
e odds of hitting a royal ush in Video Poker are about 40,000 to 1. When you hit a royal ush, you will be paid 4,000 credits when you bet ve credits. is works outtoapayoutof800to1. eoddsofhitting5for5on
Video Keno are 1,550 to 1, and you will get paid 810 for a one credit bet. is may vary with the pay schedule, but
the Video Keno payout is about the same with a much lower probability.
Of course, when comparing the two games, you have to realize that this is just for the top prize. Video Poker o ers more payouts on hands other than a royal ush. ese smaller wins will keep you playing longer and gives Video Poker a much lower house edge. However, with Video Keno you have di erent betting opportunities. If you are looking to hit more frequent jackpots, you can change the amount of numbers that you play.
Video Keno bridges a gap between Video Poker and regular slot machines. e game does not require you to learn any basic playing strategies, but you still have decisions to make regarding the amount of numbers you want to play per game and in choosing the best pay schedule.
Video Keno may or may not be for you. Some players I know love playing the game, but others tell me there is not enough excitement for them. e only way to know for sure is to give it a try.
Until next time, remember: “Luck comes and goes.. Knowledge Stays Forever.”
Bill Burton is the author of 1000 Best Casino Gambling Secrets and Get the Edge at Low Limit Texas Hold’em available online at www.billburton.com. Burton is also an instructor for Golden Touch Craps: www.thecrapsclub.com.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
April 2011