FWIW, Fatboy has one of our boards so if he happens across this thread maybe he can comment on how they play.
Lots of people make keno boards, but not all boards are created equal. I bought 2 in my life, this one and one from Mark. It took Mark a while to build it, because thats not his gig, it was a favor more than anything. This board came within a week, the way it was packaged for shipping was as impressive as the board, my lame ass has pics of it, but i dont know how to post them, i will email them to someone who does. This thread isnt about who makes boards.
this thread is about Keno, we have had a blast playing on this board $100/game. We been laying races to 61, there is a million different ways to play and rules you can make up. It can get to be big $$ if you double up if both players make 61 in the same number if innings-instead of high score over 61 wins. I like the double up game best. One game I had 60 the guy I was playing had 20 something, so all I needed was a point, one damn point. I had a ball on the board 4 times roll across the board and never found a hole, he went over 61 first, my 5th try and last inning I did find a hole so we played another game I won fast.
This board is built great, the holes are beveled just right so the ball can lip in and out if its not on center. if the ball hits the hole square it drops in nicely. the beveled edge of the front of the board is perfect, if you shoot directly at a hole the ball hops just enough to throw it off line, so its not possible to just shoot a ball into the front holes for a instant win, like the 3 in the 3 hole. If you shoot a ball directly at the Keno or Double Keno holes it wont go, the trick is getting the ball on the board at the correct speed and angle, I have discovered with practice. This aint one pocket that takes 20 years to learn. Its fun, good fun.
On a 9' Diamond Pro-am with bouncy rails its easy to get the ball on the board, you can back kick balls and they will come off the long rail an make it onto the board. On my GC5 the cushions are slower and its harder to get a ball on the board.
I been playing by myself alot, because i'm easy to amuse, something about a ball rolling facinates me, like a retard who looks at traffic or something. I suppose i'm midly autistic-several docs have said so, with a hi IQ(what ever
). So I have been playing it and its not all luck, on a 9' table, i dont know about a barbox. Playing alone I figured out lots of moves and safe play etc. Its real strong if you can lock up your man and score in the same shot.
I can play safe and that in effect gives me one extra inning to get the ball on the board. Thats the trick is getting a ball on the board every inning. If you can tie up your opponent so he cant get a ball on the board you have a big edge that game-unless he keno's or puts the 5 in the 5 hole or 6 in the 6 hole(that is a automatic win-but it dosent have to be, you can put more gamble in the game changing that rule); thats the cool part about keno you can vary the rules to make is more skillful or more lucky.
I'm going to have my mathematical guy who did data analysis for me figure the average value of a ball going into a hole, i cant calculate it I know the average of all the balls added up is exactly 8, I havent done the math on the board yet, i'm gonna have him do it, and then figue out the odds of a Keno and double keno those are easy because its 2 holes and 1 hole. but I want to know the average value of a potted ball. But when I needed one and 4 times the ball rolled across the whole damned board and never found a home that is frustrating.
It makes for good fun, I think after a few more sessions i would play anyone there is heads up, on a diamond table, the Gold Crown took alot more skill to get the ball on the board.
No disrespect to Mark his board is great too, but I like this one better, but Mark does build a fine board and is a hell of a cue maker. The boards with the metal ramps arnt worth the space they take up. If you want a keno board fast these are the guys to get one from, and at home its lots of fun because bangers have a chance. Or play like tooth, just roll the ball on to the board and high roll wins, like pitching quarters. There are a zillion games with a board. Its impossible to wear one out, you just have to be real careful of the edges of the ramp, they can break off easy on any wooden ramp. And leave it flat under the table when your not using it.
i'm gonna go hunt down Tooth and see if he is ready, i need to go up his way anyways. if there is a game, i'll make sure its known before it goes off. I'll invite the Feds were gonna play for corn chips.
Best
eric
