Keno, like many casino games, has what is known as a static house edge. One which cannot be altered by skill level in order to offer better winning odds. Though you have a choice between casino keno, online or the slot machine sibling, video keno, attaining a low house edge is not easy to come across. People prefer to play for the possability of a particularly profitable payout. However, there are a few keno tips worth reading regardless of where or which of the games you're playing. As straightforward as keno is, it still requires some concentration and effort. Keeping your mind on the game can sometimes be a challenging task. Because there is so much going on at a casino losing track of the game is a very easy route to take. So, when playing keno - it's all or nothing! One of the most important keno tips that I can give you is to pay close attention to the game. Since the prizes can only be claimed before the next game starts, and in many casinos that would only be about 5 minutes, making sure that the correct numbers are marked off and that none are omitted is your way to the riches, given of course that you have picked the right numbers. When you've paid for your ticket, keeping a close eye on the numbers can only work to your best interest, especially in cases where you have spent a large amount of money, which brings me to the next in my list of keno tips. When gambling, despite the game you've chosen to play, keeping an eye on your bankroll is also very important. With all that the games have to offer and the distractions that are part of the casinos, many lose track of how much they're spending, which can lead to financial problems. The best of all tips when it comes to money management, is to work out exactly how much you're willing to spend and not to go above that limit. Gambling is very amusing, but just like anything else, has to be done in moderation.

In order to become a master video poker player, there are a few things you need to know. The first is how to read a payout schedule, so you know the difference between short, partial play and full-pay versions. And second, you need to know the strategies for all the kinds of video poker games.

First we will discuss Pay Schedules, and once we’ve established everything you need to know about that topic, we’ll move onto Strategies for two challenging games, Deuces Wild and Joker's Wild.

PAY SCHEDULES

Typically, a 9/6 video poker game will hit the royal flush every 40,000 hands played, which is equivalent to approximately 80 to 100 hours of game time. Other games, such as the 8/5 will hit the royal flush every 45,000 hands, the 7/5's will hit each 50,000 hands, and the 6/5's will hit approximately every 70,000 hands played.

You should always bet the maximum number of coins that are allowed. For example, if you bet 5 coins, all winning hands are paid out multiplied by a factor of 5, except for the royal flush.

DEUCES WILD STRATEGIES

Full-pay Deuces Wild Versions will be 9/5's 9 coins for a straight flush and 5 coins for 4-of-a-kind.

You should not be reluctant to throw away your five cards. You want to make room for additional cards that could be deuces, and holding that Ace or King is not going to help you if the next hand coming up could be four or five sevens. This is why…

Most Jacks or Better players will throw away complete hands-5 cards only 3% of the time, while Deuces Wild players almost 20% of the time, which is approximately every fifth hand.

You should not keep two pairs. You should select one or the other, as 3-of-a-kind is the minimum scheduled payout. Inside straights should be held only if they present the best possible return from your initial five cards dealt. Therefore, a 5, 6, 8, 9 hand can produce a 7 or wild card in this video poker version.

Strategies for this game are determined by the number of deuces or absence of deuces that are dealt in your initial hand, and approximately every 5000 hands will hit four deuces. This is a secondary jackpot that will keep you in the game or allow you to pocket some winnings.

The excitement of all or nothing in Deuces makes it an awesome game to play. You can go for hours without seeing one Deuce, but then hit a Royal with Deuces, and four-of-a-kind is easy to get.

JOKER's WILD STRATEGIES

The full-pay Joker's Wild pay schedule will be 7/5 machines, 7 coins for a full house and 5 coins for a flush. There are two versions of the game out there: one returns money on a pair of Kings or better, while the other requires at least two pairs before there is a payout. This first game is obviously the more desirable full-pay version.

These strategies for Jokers, unlike Jacks, reflect the wild card, a 53-card deck, and the different payouts. If you do not hold the Joker, keep three cards to a royal over a pair of Aces or Kings because of the higher payout. You could catch another Ace or King and still be paid.

If three cards are consecutive cards for a straight flush, for example, the 5, 6, and 7 of hearts, discard other cards for the higher payback. If not consecutive, keep the small pair.

Don't be afraid to hold the Joker alone. More than 3% of the time, you won't be able to connect with a straight, flush, straight flush, or a high pair; however, holding the Joker only can give you four new cards, and a win.

The best and worst of all scenarios comes with the natural draw of an 8 or 9. And, naturally, it all works out if you have bet that side, and doesn't if you haven't. As soon as the Player side, which opens first, draws a 9, the best the Banker side can hope for is to pull another 9 and thus tie or push. In this case, there are no winners or losers as far as Player/Banker goes. The winner here would be the person who bet Tie.Naturally,the worst thing that can happen is to draw a lovely 8 and a face card,only to have the Banker pull a 9 and a face. That is what we call a bad beat.Failing a natural 8 or 9 on the first draw, things get a little trickier, butthey aren't that difficult to figure.First let's look at the card values: Aces=1 (not 1 or 11 as in blackjack)Cards with denominations of 2-9 are equal to their face values.Tens and face cards (the royals, Jack, Queen, King)=0 (baccarat!)Naturals can consist of any combination of cards making 8 or 9, ex. Ace + 7=8;4 + 5=9, etc.Lacking a natural on any draw, there are third card draw rules which are strictlyadhered which offer no options or possibilities of drawing and standing by theplayer on either side. The following rules help give the game its simplicity: On the Player's Side First Two Card Totals Player side must:1,2,3,4,5,10 = Draw6,7 = Stand8,9 = Natural (No draw, Banker cannot draw) On the Banker's Side First Two Card Totals Banker must draw if player shows: Banker does not draw when Player draws:3 = 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9,10 84 = 2,3,4,5,6,7 1,8,9,105 = 4,5,6.7 1,2,3,8,9,106 = 6,7 1,2,3,4,5,8,9,107 = always stands always stands8,9 = Natural (Player cannot draw) These rules contain one exception: if player takes no card (stands on 6,7), then the banker stands on 6. One thing should be obvious from these hard and fast rules: the Banker has a great deal more options than Player. This translates into a 1.8% advantage for betting Banker, but the casinos, in their infinite search for profits, round this figure off to a full 5%.These commissions are maintained by the dealers and each player is held accountableby the end of play on each shoe, unless previous arrangements have been made.

1. The Players to the left of the Dealer begin by posting the blind bets .

2. Four pocket cards are dealt to each Player - face-down

3. First round of betting - options are to fold, bet, or raise. Only one bet, and three raises per Player are allowed on the first round. Players cannot "check" in the first round, as Blinds are bets, and not antes.

4. Three communal cards (flop ) are dealt face-up in the center of the table. All communal cards are active for all Players and can be used in combination with each Player's two cards.

5. Second round of betting - options are to check, fold, bet, or raise.

6. Fourth communal card (Turn ) is dealt face-up.

7. Third round of betting - options are to check, fold, bet, or raise.

8. If, at this stage, there are still at least two vying Players, the fifth, and final communal card (River ) is dealt face-up.

9. Final round of betting follows.

10. The Showdown! All remaining Players then create the best five-card low and the best five-card high hand possible. You can only use: two pocket cards and three communal cards or low hands can only win if all the cards in the hand have a value of 8 or less.

11. The two Players with the best high and low hands split the pot!