Most casinos offer "keno runners" as a courtesy to players who happen to be in the dining room or poker table, but still want to play keno. "Keno girls" are often dressed much like cocktail waitresses and carry trays with blank tickets, crayons and spare change so that patrons can play keno anywhere in the casino. A typical comped lunch in Las Vegas takes just about long enough to play (and lose) four to five keno games.

Usually keno runners cruise the casino calling out "keno?" to no one in particular. If you wish to engage the services of a runner, merely answer by saying the word "keno!" in a louder tone. The runner will stop by your table, wait for you to mark and pay for a keno ticket, give you any change, and continue cruising.

The runner will take your ticket to the keno lounge and have a dealer make a copy just as you would. Usually the keno runners are the last to be served before the game is closed. The runners wait for the numbers to be drawn and then return to their customers with their tickets and winnings. They will also have a keno ticket with holes punched for every number drawn, so you can lay the punched ticket over your ticket and count spots.

While the casino makes every effort to ensure all runners make it back to the lounge before the game is closed, they cannot guarantee that your ticket will get played in the next game, nor that the dealer will copy your ticket correctly. Surely there are apocryphal stories of runners who were late to the lounge and caused a player to miss a 10-spot. You have to be willing to accept that additional risk if you use a keno runner.

"Just about everyone who performs a service for people in a casino works for tips, and the keno runners are no exceptions. If a keno runner services your bets for you, it is customary to tip a small amount even if you don't win. You are not expected to tip every game, but, say you are having lunch, and the keno runner hits your table and services your bets 5 times, and you never win. You should tip a dollar. You know when you're just about done eating. When the runner comes to your table with and checks your losing ticket and asks if you want to play it again, that's the appropriate time to say "No, thanks; here's a dollar for your trouble." Personally, I tip a dollar the very first time the runner comes back (and not again if I don't win anything). I've found that I get excellent runner service that way.

"Now if you hit anything substantial, the keno runner will expect something. You don't have to be super-generous. My personal rule of thumb is $2 for a $10 to $40 win; 5% for larger wins up to $200. You can get away with a little less, but don't stiff them. Yes, tipping decreases your expectation, but if you employ a keno runner, you are buying a service. If you don't want to tip, run your own tickets up to the window. If you hit big enough to tip the runner, tip her/him when (s)he brings you your winnings. I *guarantee* you'll get excellent service thenceforth. They do share information, too. If you tip one runner, (s)he will pass on the information to the relief or replacement runner. If you don't, that info will get passed on, too."