Glossary of Keno terms

All or Nothing: A keno ticket that only pays out if all the selected numbers were drawn, or if no selected numbers were drawn.

Ball Game: A keno game using plastic balls to represent the numbers and which is the most common form of keno today.

Balls: Keno balls, same size as bingo balls, numbered 1-80.

Bank: The casino’s money for keno play.

Blank: An unused keno ticket.

Blower: Part of the machine used to dispense the balls, using air to force the balls into a tube where they are then removed by the keno operator.

Bowl: Part of the ball machine that collects the balls when the blower is turned off.

Buy-In Tournament: A keno tournament requiring player to pay a participation fee whereby they play a certain number of games / tickets and keep any winnings.

Cage: A wire cage used to hold keno balls.

Call: The act of announcing the keno numbers over an intercom.

Caller: The casino employee that calls the keno numbers.

Catch: A number marked on a keno ticket is a catch if called during the game.

Catch All: A keno game requiring a player to catch all the numbers marked on their ticket.

Catch Zero: A keno game requiring a player to catch none of the numbers marked on their ticket.

Close: The time period when no more keno tickets will be written by the house, usually around the time of the draw.

Combination Ticket: A single ticket with a number of different keno wagers on it.

Computer Ticket: A computer-generated keno ticket.

Deuce: Two keno spots grouped together.

Draw: The group of 20 numbers drawn for a keno game is called the draw.

Draw Sheet: A sheet handed out at the keno counter which indicates the number drawn from the previous game. The numbers are shown with punched holes so that tickets can be checked.

Edge Ticket: A ticket with 32 numbers marked around the outer edge of the ticket.

Enhanced Payoff: When a bigger payoff can be received from playing a combination of games on a single ticket. Pays more than if the games had been played on an individual ticket.

Exacta: A ticket played for two games and which offers special payouts.

Field: A group of marked spots that is uncircled.

Flashboard: An electronic display board showing the numbers in the keno draw.

Fractional Rate Ticket: A ticket played for a fraction of the regular rate, generally used on a way ticket.

Free Play: A keno win that pays no money but allows the player to bet again.

Group: Spots that are circled or separated from the other marked spots on the keno tickets.

Handle: The total of all money taken in for a specific period.

High End Ticket: A ticket which pays more for catching a high number of spots, but pays less for catching few spots.

High Roller Ticket: A ticket that has a high minimum ticket price.

Hit: When the drawn number matches the spot on a ticket.

Hold: The gross after paying out all the winning tickets. (Handle – payoff)

House: The casino.

Inside Ticket: A completed keno ticket handed back to the casino.

Jackpot Meter: An electronic display indicating the current jackpot amount.

Keno Board: An electronic display board showing the numbers in the keno draw.

Keno Balls: Plastic balls numbered 1-80.

Keno Computer: Used by casinos to enter wagers, determine the winners, print tickets etc.

Keno Counter: Where players place their wagers and collect their winnings.

Keno Lounge: An area where keno players can sit and mark their tickets.

Keno Punch: The machine that punches holes in the draw sheet.

Keno Writer: A person who takes a player’s bet, produces the tickets and pays the winners.

King: A single circled number. In conjunction with other numbers it works to make a bet or a way.

King Ticket: A way ticket that has one or more kings.

Left-Right Ticket: A ticket with a vertical line down the center, with which a player has to catch only number on one half of the ticket and not the other.

Mark: A mark made on a keno ticket number by hand or by the keno computer.

Multi Game Keno Ticket: A ticket used for multiple keno games.

Open: When the counter is open for accepting wagers.

Outside Ticket: The official game ticket handed back to the player in place of his hand marked ticket and the wager.

Pattern: The shape made by specific marks on a keno ticket.

Pay Any Catch Ticket: A keno ticket that pays something, irrespective of how many spots are caught.

Payoff: The amount paid to a player for his played ticket.

Pay Table: A chart indicating what each win pays.

Stud: A variation of the keno game where the top prize increases until it is won.

Punch Outs: A sheet handed out at the keno counter which indicates the number drawn from the previous game. The numbers are shown with punched holes so that tickets can be checked.

Push: A win which matches the amount wagered.

Quick Pick: A ticket with numbers selected by the keno computer at the player’s request.

Quit Race: To cash in a multi game ticket before the end of play.

Race: A single keno game.

Rate: The price of a ticket or a way.

Rate Card: A card provided by the casino indicating payoffs for various bets.

Regular Ticket: A standard ticket.

Replayed Ticket: Giving a played ticket to the counter to replay the numbers.

Runner: Someone who goes through the casino’s restaurants and lounges collecting the keno tickets from players and paying their winnings.

Sleeper: A winning ticket not presented for payoff.

Split Ticket: Two or more groups of numbers played separately on the same ticket.

Spot: The numbers marked on a keno ticket.

Straight Ticket: Standard keno ticket.

Ticket: The keno ticket, marked with 80 numbers, used by a player to mark their spots.

Top-Bottom Ticket: A ticket split in two by a horizontal line in the center with which the player needs to catch only numbers on one half of the ticket and not the other.

Video Keno: Keno played on computerized systems and which is similar to video poker.

Way: A separate bet on a ticket with more than one bet.

Way Ticket: A ticket with two or more bets.

Winning Numbers: The 20 numbers drawn in the keno game.