I thought you played to 65 points (you add the value of your ball with the value of the hole). If a ball lands in the same hole, it's an automatic keno - paying whatever the bet is per game. If you land in a double-keno hole - it pays twice the wager automatically. There are some strange rules like if you get a ball to land in its hole and have the cue ball stay in a hole it pays double, or something like that.
I'm pretty sure the above mentioned items are the actual rules (I haven't played in years). There is a good amount of luck involved, but it's not 100% luck. I almost always win in the long run against someone not as skilled as I am - it's NOT a coin toss.
When playing 1-on-1, the order of operations are:
1) Always try to move more than one ball at a time onto the Keno board. This comes before hitting the highest number ball up on the board, since it give you the highest probability of "hitting" a keno hole, or same numbered hole. From the short rail - opposite of the Keno board - you always want to play a high-angle combo, sending the two balls two rails onto the board, at the correct speed. There are RARE circumstances when the two OBs are laying in such a way where you can send the CB into another and possible try for three--- but it's really low %.
2) Hit the highest numbered ball up on the board, at the right speed.
3) If the CB and OB are just in front of the board, you can try to work in the break of the ramp and "speed" the OB to the hole. Most keno boards have rubber blockers that block the corner pockets where the board lays, so the holes near that are "gettable." You have to be fortunate, but a higher % than hit and hope for sure.
4) If you're playing someone good, they're going to try to leave you against a ball, positioned where you have a low % shot, or your only open shot is a low-valued ball. This section is paired with 1, 2 and 3 above.
Not saying the game isn't full of luck - but it's not a coin flip. Knowing how to play right will improve your chances to at least 70/30 (from 50/50).
It sounds like the Tooth is saying he knows how to play right, and is betting his "right" way of playing is better than everyone else's perception of a coin-flip, luck game. Personally, I wouldn't play him for 2 cents at the game. I'd win here and there, but the longer and longer I played - the more and more money I would lose.... in the long-run. If you only play a one or two games, it might be a coin-flip. But if you play for hours - it's tough action.
What does anyone else think?
