Understanding Paytables

Learn how to read, compare, and evaluate keno paytables — the backbone of payouts and volatility.

Section: Resources → Guides • Level: Beginner–Intermediate

Hero: A typical keno paytable. Each spot count has its own payout ladder.

Introduction

Every keno game is defined by its paytable — the chart that converts hits into payouts. While the rules of drawing 20 numbers from 80 never change, the paytable dictates what those hits are worth.

Understanding paytables is crucial for interpreting risk, expected return, and session feel. This guide walks through reading a paytable, comparing different versions, and identifying how variants rebalance payouts to accommodate bonuses.

Diagram explaining rows = hits, columns = spots, values = payouts — Figure 1. Structure of a paytable: rows show hits, columns spot counts, values payouts.

Anatomy of a Paytable

Spot Count: Each column corresponds to a number of spots selected.
Hits: Rows show how many of those spots matched the draw.
Payouts: Cells list the multiple of your stake you win for that outcome.

Example: A 6-spot column might pay 2× for 3 hits, 5× for 4 hits, 50× for 5 hits, and 1,500× for 6 hits.

Paytable anatomy chart showing rows, columns, and payout multipliers — Figure 2. Anatomy: read down a column to see all possible results for your chosen spot count.

How to Read a Paytable

Select your spot count column (e.g., 4, 6, or 8).
Locate the row for the number of hits you achieved.
Multiply your stake by the payout multiplier in that cell.

If you bet 1 credit and hit 5 out of 6 on a table that pays 50×, your return is 50 credits. If you hit 2 out of 6 and the table lists 0×, you receive nothing.

Highlight on paytable showing 5 hits in 6-spot column paying 50× — Figure 3. Reading example: 5 hits in a 6-spot column = 50× payout.

Example Paytables

4-Spot

2 hits: 1×
3 hits: 5×
4 hits: 75×

6-Spot

3 hits: 2×
4 hits: 5×
5 hits: 50×
6 hits: 1,500×

8-Spot

4 hits: 2×
5 hits: 10×
6 hits: 100×
7 hits: 1,500×
8 hits: 10,000×

Impact on RTP and Variance

Paytables shape both return to player (RTP) and volatility. Raising top prizes usually increases variance and lowers mid-tier consistency. Lowering jackpots and boosting mid-tier pays smooths gameplay but reduces rare thrill wins.

Chart showing trade-off between RTP balance and variance depending on table design — Figure 5. Shifting payouts changes volatility even if RTP is constant.

Variants and Rebalanced Tables

Variants like Cleopatra, Lightning, and Caveman include bonus features. To prevent RTP inflation, casinos rebalance paytables:

Cleopatra: Base pays reduced slightly to fund free games.
Lightning: Multiplier payouts balanced by lower base tiers.
Caveman: Egg multipliers offset by modest base pays.

Comparison of base vs variant paytables with adjusted mid-tier pays — Figure 6. Base vs rebalanced tables: RTP held constant, variance shifted.

Comparing Paytables

The best way to evaluate paytables is to run simulations. Long-run draws confirm how paytable differences play out. Look at:

Hit frequency vs payouts: Which tiers are emphasized?
Drawdown profile: How deep are typical losing streaks?
Variance bands: Does the table create smooth or spiky returns?

Side-by-side histograms of different paytables — Figure 7. Comparing payout distributions from three 100k-round simulations.

Common Mistakes

Assuming bigger top prize = better game. Variance may make bankroll vanish faster.
Ignoring paytable changes between casinos. Always read the current table.
Confusing RTP with variance. RTP shows long-run return, not volatility feel.

Summary

Paytables are the backbone of keno payouts.
Spot counts define which column applies to you.
Variants rebalance tables to pay for bonuses.
Simulations expose the real-world feel of different tables.

Next Steps

Probability & RTP Explained — connect paytables to the math behind them.
Simulation Tools — run thousands of draws to see how tables perform.
Keno Variants — see how tables are modified for themed games.