Picking Winning Keno Numbers

Ok, let's face it. Most of us agree that there isn't much chance of controlling the numbers in keno. Every turn is random, and you have the same chance each time of having your numbers appear. While this may be true, there are some interesting formulas out there that can help you to have a slight advantage in picking keno numbers. Here's one that is quite interesting.

Data Compression

This technique is called data compression. When picking keno numbers, you look at the delta of each number instead of the keno number itself. The delta is the difference between a number and the previous number.

For instance, let's say you were going to use the following six numbers: 3-9-18-19-27-33. Here are the same numbers represented as deltas: 3-6-9-1-8-6. This number comes from subtracting each of the numbers from the number right before it. You can turn it back into the original winning numbers by adding the result of the addition just done to the next number in the series. The first number is 3; the second number is 3+6=9; the third number is 9+9=18 and so on.

So, What Does This Mean for Keno?

This means that, if you are playing a keno game from 1 to 50 and you want to pick six numbers, you can pick numbers and win money by guessing numbers between 1 and 15 rather than 1 and 50. 90% of the time, numbers above 15 won't occur! If the values in your game vary, you can use the Analysis Lotto (http://www.use4.com/analysis.html) software to adjust them automatically.

Keno

Some Interesting Number Statistics

Some people have studied the distribution of delta numbers in a year's worth of winning numbers from various lotteries. They found that nearly 60% of the time, a delta calculated from a winning number will be six or less. 30% of the time, the delta will be three or less! Furthermore, they found that one is the most popular number, occurring almost 50% of the time. For the best results when picking numbers, keep at least half of your numbers at 8 or less. Furthermore, the sum of the numbers in your guess shouldn't be higher than the highest number allowed in the keno game you are playing.

How Many Numbers Should I Pick?

Many novice keno players try to pick many numbers, figuring that the more numbers you mark, the more chance you have of winning. What they fail to realize, however, is that the more you mark, the more you have to get exactly dead on in order to score anything. As a beginner, it's better to start small and to pick less numbers. The winnings won't be as large if you win, but they may be more steady and help you to get a feel for the game.

The Bottom Line

Keno is a game that allows you to have fun. There aren't too many rules to learn and there aren't cards to carefully watch for patterns. You are probably just as likely to win by picking your family's birthdays as you are with any other method. It can be entertaining to try the methods above, and the experts claim that they do work. Whatever will help you to enjoy the game is what you should do. Approach the game with a good attitude, with a sense of adventure, and with some numbers in your pocket, and you should have fun playing keno!

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