Learn to play the unique 36 ball keno game, Book of Keno, by Evoplay.
As far as casino game variety goes, only certain types of games tend to get a make-over. Blackjack is a popular one. There are more versions of blackjack available today than there are casinos in Las Vegas, if you can believe that. A slight rule change here, a new side bet there. It doesn’t take much to create a ‘brand new’ game these days.
One classic casino game that doesn’t get a lot of attention from innovators is keno. The creative minds at the eCOGRA licensed iGaming development studio, Evoplay Entertainment, thought it was about time Keno get a face lift. This led to the recent introduction of Book of Keno, a game similar to its ancestor, but with just 36 keno balls in the mix.
Book of Keno by Evoplay
Released in October 2020, Book of Keno takes its name from the ancient tales of Egyptian legend, lending the theme to its sleek, graphical overlay. Dusty temples and jeweled relics etched with Egyptian hieroglyphics set the mysterious tone for a potentially profitable adventure.
Like traditional keno, this is an instant lottery style game. Built in HTML5, it’s compatible with all computer and mobile operating systems, without need of a download. It is presented in full HD (16:9) resolution for a crisp, clean visual experience across all PC, Mac, iOS and Android devices.
How to Play 36 Ball Keno Game
If you’ve ever played a standard game of 80-ball keno, you should have a pretty good idea of how this game works already. However, with just 10 balls being drawn form the total 36, there are some differences you should be aware; particularly how it impacts the payout system and house edge. We’ll talk more about that in a moment. First, let’s take a look at the basic rules of 36 ball keno.
All the information you need is displayed directly on the screen, much like a classic 3-reel slot machine or video poker game. In the center is the main screen, where the 36 number are displayed across a 6×6 grid. Below is your current bet size on the left, your total balance on the right, and a play button in the center.
Your game play begins with the selection of a wager. Press the – or + buttons to adjust your bet size. Next, click on any numbers on the main screen you wish to bet on. You may select anywhere from 1 to 10 numbers.
Each time you select a number, you’ll notice a bet multiplier appearing on the left side of the screen. The more numbers you select, the higher the bet multipliers become for matching all numbers. At the same time, the multiplier for matching fewer number will decrease as you make more selections. See the pay table below for more information.
When you’re done selecting numbers, press the Play button at the bottom middle of the screen. All of the winning numbers are quickly revealed, and your prize, if any, is displayed. To play again, start selecting new numbers and repeat the process.
Book of Keno Pay Table
Catch | Pick 1 | Pick 2 | Pick 3 | Pick 4 | Pick 5 | Pick 6 | Pick 7 | Pick 8 | Pick 9 | Pick 10 |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
1 | 3.46 | 1.5 | 1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2 | 4.78 | 2.3 | 1. | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
3 | 7.6 | 4.1 | 3.8 | 2.9 | 2.3 | 1.4 | 1 | 1 | ||
4 | 21 | 14 | 7.3 | 4.2 | 3 | 2.1 | 1.5 | |||
5 | 35 | 18 | 10 | 10 | 6.2 | 3.2 | ||||
6 | 55 | 34 | 28 | 17 | 10 | |||||
7 | 60 | 40 | 25 | 25 | ||||||
8 | 70 | 55 | 40 | |||||||
9 | 85 | 75 | ||||||||
10 | 100 | |||||||||
RTP | 96.11% | 96.05% | 95.98% | 95.96% | 96.07% | 95.95% | 95.92% | 96.03% | 95.94% | 96.11% |
Strategy – How to Win Keno with 36 Balls
Figuring out the best strategy for Book of Keno is as simple as observing the last line in the pay table above. The RTP of a game is the amount of your bets you can expect to win back, based on mathematical probabilities. The higher the RTP, the better. If we compare the RTPs listed for each number of picks, you’ll see that highest percentage is paid back at 96.11%, for picking just 1 number, or all 10.
Thus the best 36 ball keno game strategy is to either make a single 1 number selection, or pick all 10. Both feature the exact same odds of winning. Picking anywhere from 2 to 9 numbers will only decrease your potential value.
