Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site heurikon.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!harpo!seismo!uwvax!heurikon!jeff From: jeff@heurikon.UUCP Newsgroups: net.math Subject: What are the odds in Keno? Message-ID: <225@heurikon.UUCP> Date: Wed, 15-Feb-84 02:24:38 EST Article-I.D.: heurikon.225 Posted: Wed Feb 15 02:24:38 1984 Date-Received: Fri, 17-Feb-84 04:46:02 EST Organization: Heurikon Corp., Madison WI Lines: 43 Has anyone out there computed the odds in Keno? (Keno is a gambling game that looks a lot like Bingo, but isn't, mainly because you almost always loose.) I played Keno during Comdex but didn't know the best way to play a ticket. For those of you who don't have a Keno rule sheet handy (some people don't carry them around all the time like I do), here is a sample from the rules: There are 80 different numbers. There will be a random drawing of 20 of these numbers. The object is to select and bet the numbers that will be drawn. You may "mark" from 1 to 15 numbers. There are payoffs in each category for "catches" greater than or equal to about 1/2 the total spots which you marked. However, the maximum payoff is limited to $50,000, regardless of the odds or the amount you bet. Mark Eight Spots Mark Four Spots Catch Pays Catch Pays 5 x9 2 x1 6 x92 3 x4 7 x1480 4 x112 8 x18,000 Mark Six Spot Special Four Spot Catch Pays Catch Pays 3 x1 3 x5 4 x4 4 x160 5 x88 6 x1480 There are many more ways to play a ticket, and lots of combinations. If you're going to play, the object ought to be to select the *best* way of playing. So one must compute all the odds for the variations. Anybody know how? Or better yet, is there a general formula which can be used to quickly calculate the odds? The problem is complicated because you can win in so many ways. If you need more information, I'll be glad to USMail you the whole set of payoff tables. Please post your answers. Thanks. -- /"""\ Jeffrey Mattox, Heurikon Corp, Madison, WI |O.O| {harpo, hao, philabs}!seismo!uwvax!heurikon!jeff (news & mail) \_=_/ ihnp4!heurikon!jeff (mail - fast)