Bingo rules - how to play bingo, learn the rules of the game (2023)

Bingo rules and how to play the Bingo game, number calling, and online bingo rules. Bingo is played in halls. Bingo rules, payouts and variations vary from place to place.

Bingo brochures detailing particular bingo games, bingo rules and payouts are usually available at each respective location. Basically, players buy cards with numbers on them in a 5 x 5 grid corresponding to the five letters in the word B-I-N-G-O.

Numbers such as B-2 or 0-68 are then drawn at random (out of a possible 75 in American Bingo, and 90 in British and Australian Bingo) until one player completes a ‘Bingo’ pattern, such as a line with five numbers in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal row on one of their cards and wins the prize. There are many possible patterns to play for. See here examples of bingo patterns (link opens new window).

Bingo Rules and Bingo Cards

A Bingo cards contains 24 numbered spaces and one free space (blank), with which you play BINGO. The numbers are assigned at random on each card and are arranged in five columns of five numbers each by five rows (5 x 5 = 25 in total including the blank square).

The numbers in the B column are between 1 and 15, in the I column between 16 and 30, in the N column (containing four numbers and the free space) between 31 and 45, in the G column between 46 and 60, and in the O column between 61 and 75.

Players have thousands of unique (non-duplicated) cards to choose from. Some manufacturers print non-duplicated series of 6,000 cards.

There are also series of 9,000 cards available. Hard cards and Flimsy cards have a series number printed on them. For example, card number 1252 will always have the same numbers in the same spaces.

Bingo Rules in the United Kingdom and Australia

In the U.K. Bingo is played mainly in large halls with cash prizes, the larger commercial concerns are linked up with other halls during one particular bingo game in the evening and large cash sums can be won on these.

It is also played in nearly every seaside town in the U.K. on screens in front of the player who pulls a slide across to cover the number called, but, presumably because of our gambling laws, there are no cash prizes, just various items like cuddly toys.

The other times bingo game rule is played, again for prizes, not cash, is in a myriad of local halls or schools around the country, usually as a fund raiser for various concerns like an old people’s Day Center.

Here the prizes are donated by shopkeepers and businesses in the town and surrounding area and the atmosphere at these bingo games rules is usually very relaxed and a fun evening out where everyone is welcome, even children.

The prizes vary for these bingo games but on average a prize for any one line is worth about £1.00 – £2.50 (depending on who is organizing the bingo evening – and what are the bingo rules of the specific bingo game), any 2 lines would be worth about £2 – £5 and a full house (all the numbers on a card) worth £5 – £10.

They could be boxes of chocolates, bottles of wine, a grocery hamper, and a voucher from a local butcher for meat or a cream tea for two at a local tea-shop or even 2 free passes to a swimming pool. Anything really.

U.K. (and Australian) bingo rules cards have three lines and nine columns (see picture above) and usually come in “Books”; single or multiple. A single bingo game rule book would contain ten 10 pages (10 cards) each of a different color: Gold, Lime, Violet, Yellow, Pink, Grey, Orange, Blue, Red and White.

(Video) How to Play Bingo

A multiple book has 6 single books. Each page in a multiple book has 6 cards of the same color. The 6 cards on a page are joined with perforated edges and can be pulled apart. Experienced players will play all 6 bingo game rule books and inexperienced players or young children may only play 1 book, or even a single card.

As well as books, there are also single sheets of bingo cards sold with the 6 sections on (six cards) and these are called “Flyers”. Again you can buy just one section or 6 to suit your pocket or your experience. The flyers cost more per bingo game than on the books but the prizes are usually worth a bit more.

In the large towns and cities Bingo is fairly “big business” and people play in deadly earnest, hoping to win that elusive jackpot. In small towns and villages it’s much more of a social occasion with amateur callers and a lot lighter atmosphere.

Australia uses the same bingo rules cards as in the U.K. In Sydney and Melbourne the callers are incredibly fast. In Perth they call a lot slower.

Number Calling in Bingo Game Rules

The numbers are announced quickly by the Caller, so you must pay careful attention to the numbers that are called and mark them quickly and accurately on your card(s). The caller keeps calling numbers until one or more players claim BINGO.

Then the bingo game stops and the numbers are verified. If there is a winner, the prize is awarded and a new bingo game begins with new cards.

If there is more than one winner, the prize is split among all the winners. In Las Vegas many variations including Letter X, Six Pack and Coverall Bingo are offered. Additionally, some places offer special progressive payouts as high as $10,000.

Online Bingo Rules

When playing online, your bingo cards are randomly selected for you. Most online bingo games give you 3 or 4 cards. Other bingo games let you take more. Every online bingo game has a caller or a display board for the bingo numbers.

The bingo game pattern is also displayed. Some bingo games automatically mark the numbers on your bingo card for you.

There are 75 possible bingo numbers. Each of these numbers is represented by a ball in a large rotating bin. An announcer (also known as the Caller) spins the bin, selects a ball, and announces it to the room.

The players check all of their cards to see if that number appears on their card. If it is, they mark it. When a player has a bingo (5 in a row, column, or diagonal), he or she calls out BINGO.

Player’s chances of winning depend on the number of cards in the game and how many cards he is playing. For example, if a player has 12 cards in a game with 1200 cards, the chances of winning for that player is 1 in 100.
The cards

Each player has a number of bingo cards. Each bingo card has 5 rows and 5 columns thus providing 25 spaces. The columns are labeled from left to right with the letters: ‘B’, ‘I’, ‘N’, ‘G’, ‘O’. With one exception (the center space is “free”) the spaces in the card are assigned values as follows:

each space in the ‘B’ column contains a number from 1 – 15 ;
each space in the ‘I’ column contains a number from 16 – 30 ;
each space in the ‘N’ column contains a number from 31 – 45 ;
each space in the ‘G’ column contains a number from 46 – 60 ;
each space in the ‘O’ column contains a number from 61 – 75.
Furthermore, a number can appear only once on a single card.

If you enjoy to play bingo online – bingo is a fun game and is not difficult at all to play.

(Video) How to play Bingo

There are many different websites available online where you can play a game of Bingo. Thanks to today’s technology now you can play live bingo. When you play bingo online, you have the opportunity to win lots of rewards including more games, prizes, and money.

There are numerous bingo websites to choose from and it’s important for the bingo players to find a safe and reliable site to play bingo. Looking for even more interesting and useful information about online bingo halls? Find the latest online bingo news and hottest bingo bonus offers as no deposit bingo bonuses.

What to Remember when Playing Online Bingo

Just like the card game that preceded the online version, online bingo has been around since the start of the rise of online gambling and online casinos. However, it is surprising that online bingo is only starting to get the attention it deserves.

This statement may seem rather fallacious, since practically billions of people play bingo all over the world, but experts say that this number is bound to increase still.

The influx of new players means only one thing: there is new generation of online bingo players who do not know the proper rules and guidelines of No Deposit Bingo.

Bingo is a very simple game. All you need to do is form the required patterns stated at the start of the game.

Depending on the type of bingo you are playing, these patterns can range from simple ones (such as the five in a row pattern in the 75-ball bingo) to the more difficult ones (such as the blackout pattern in the 75-ball bingo and the three line pattern of the super hoogey in the 90-ball bingo used in the United Kingdom).

In any case, once the numbers are called, you mark the ones that are on your card. If you have formed the required patterns on your card, then you should declare a “bingo!”

There are a few things that should remember here. For one, in most games, the first one to call or declare the “bingo!” wins-regardless if you have formed the formation or pattern before the one who shouted first. There are times when a player fails to mark his card because he did hear or see the previously called number.

In most cases, when you fail to declare a win after your winning number has been called, you forfeit your chance at a bingo and you have to form other patterns.

Likewise, there are some games where the player who declares a win prematurely is also sanctioned. This can happen because there are times when the caller uses obscure nicknames that the player thought was his winning number-even before the actual number is called.

The sanction isn’t always used or imposed, but some bingo halls or bingo sites do impose them.

In bingo halls, players are not permitted to talk while the game is ongoing. On the other hand, you can talk to other players using the char function in an online bingo game. However, you must practice proper chat etiquette.

This is only basic Internet chat etiquette-the same ones used elsewhere. For instance, you should not chat using characters that are all in capital letters since the equivalent of this in a real conversation is you shouting.

Fees are required in some online bingo sites; some sites do not require fees. But of course, you will have to deposit money into your online bingo account before you can start playing so you can buy online bingo cards. Some sites limit the number of cards you can buy.

(Video) How To Play Bingo | Beginners

Play Bingo Games with no Risk

Playing bingo has always been a fascination for many and a source of entertainment for those who are experts on the game. Whether playing online or in real-life, bingo does require some strategy in order to have an edge than the rest of the players.

Being familiar with the real-life version of bingo doesn’t mean that the strategies used by experts in this version will be applicable on the online counterpart.

It is a good start if you have familiarity with the real-life version of bingo, but needless to say, there is always a difference between the two versions in terms of establishing some edge or increasing the odds per se.

Most strategies applied for the live version will not work online, so try to learn the online bingo strategy and work on it to your advantage.

One should remember that online bingo is indeed a game of chance, but there are ways to get close to that chance and it is by using the appropriate strategy to gain some edge.

The first strategy is to Play Bingo with more cards; more cards mean more chances of getting the jackpot prize. For a player who is quite new to the game, it is better to start off with only a few cards and then work your way to more cards every time you log on.

It might be confusing at first but you’ll get the hang of it once you’ve mastered handling more than the usual. It takes patience and a keen eye to work through multiple cards. For the more advanced players, this will surely give more edge and therefore more chances to get that jackpot.

A second strategy is to play New Bingo Sites with few players. Remember, when playing bingo players are competing against one another for the coveted jackpot.

Timing is the key here so check on the online bingo site and set a schedule to play when there are only a few players around.

An ideal number of players is of course less than a hundred; the lesser, the better. But remember that with lesser players, the jackpot prize is also lesser and the chat room is a bit boring since there’s less interaction going on.

But don’t be discouraged, these issues can be overcome especially if you really want to get the jackpot.

A third strategy is to play for bigger jackpots. Once you’ve mastered the first and second strategy, then the third strategy will be a lot easier to execute.

Normally only the first strategy is applicable here since the bigger the jackpot, the more players are taking part of the action. Execute your first strategy in this case and see if you get the most edge.

A fourth strategy is to play at online bingo chats. It is quite easy to win bonuses when playing at bingo chat games. These games are usually played during the regular online game. All the first three strategies can be applied in this case.

How to Play Online Bingo

With the advent of online bingo, the game has become all the more easy and entertaining. Now if you are a new player and don’t know much about the game then this post will surely help you in understanding how to play online bingo game.

(Video) Things to Know Before You Bingo

Here is the short and smart step by step guide on how to play online bingo.

How to Play Bingo Games Online

First of all, you need toregisteryourself on any reliable online bingo site.You need to sign up for a user namealong with a valid email address in order to claim the winning amounts.

After thesuccessful completion of registration, you will be given random cards and you can play up to 50 cards at a time, depends on your choice.

Then the numbers will be called between one and ninety, you just need to match these numbers with those on the cards. Once you successfully make the desired pattern of numbers, you will win the game.

You just need topay attentionon the display board when numbers are called because if you have made the right pattern, you can call B-I-N-G-O and win the prize money associated with the game.

Thereare five rows and five columns in each cardand some numbers are printed on them. The middle space is kept blank. Though players can play with several cards at one go still it is always good to start up with four to five cards to win the game.

If you want to increase your chances of winning big payouts then choose the bingo site which has got good number of players, chat rooms, games andbingo promotionsalong with progressive jackpots.

More you play the games and participate in chat rooms, higher the chances to win consistently. Also, wager as much as you can because more you wager more chances you will get to hit the jackpot.

Look for24/7 chat roomswhere you cansocializewith players from different corners of the world. Once you start playing and chatting regularly, you will get to recognize user names and rooms that are very popular.

You can join those rooms to get tips and suggestions from seasoned players or make new friends to kill your boredom.

But inonline version of bingo gameyou might come across some pitfalls that mostly happen due to your Internet service provider, excessive traffic on the Web, too much congestion on the website etc. So, great deal of patience is required while playing online bingo.

In addition to this, beware of false bingo sites that claim to offer heavy jackpots and prizes instantly and easily. So it’s always recommended to read the history of the site before signing up.

Table of Contents

(Video) How To Play BINGO|bingo card game|Rules of BINGO |fun bingo games

FAQs

What are the rules to the game bingo? ›

Players try to cover all 24 numbers on their card. Players can win by covering a complete horizontal, vertical or diagonal line. Pattern bingo is often played in 75-ball games. A pattern or shape will be declared at the start of the game and players are aiming to cover their numbers to make this pattern on the card.

How do you play question and answer bingo? ›

Students take it in turns to pick up a topic card and read the topic to the group. The other group members then race to make a question relating to the topic using one of the question words on their bingo card. The first student to ask a suitable question to the student holding the card wins.

What is the bingo game with questions? ›

What is icebreaker Bingo? Icebreaker Bingo is a game that encourages players to mingle and learn more about each other. Cards contain questions and personal prompts relating to the players. Participants must talk to other players and mark the square with a name of another player who fits the description.

Is there a trick to winning bingo? ›

Don't Skimp on the Cards

The more bingo cards you hold, the better your odds of winning. After all, if a number shouted isn't on one card, it almost certainly will be on a subsequent one. The more bingo cards you have to choose from, the better your chances of making a pattern.

What is 2 lines in bingo? ›

To win the 2 Line Prize, the player must have all the numbers called on 2 lines of the same ticket. To win the House or Bingo prize the must have all the numbered squares called on a ticket.

What are the different bingo patterns? ›

Popular Bingo Patterns
  • 1 Line. This is one of the three standard bingo patterns and the easiest to achieve. ...
  • 2 Lines. Just as with 1 line, the 2 lines pattern is used in every game of bingo. ...
  • Full House. ...
  • Four Corners. ...
  • Letters and Numbers. ...
  • Top Middle Bottom Line. ...
  • Outside Edge. ...
  • Any Four Numbers.

How do you play questions and answers? ›

Play begins when the first player serves by asking a question (often "Would you like to play questions?"). The second player must respond to the question with another question (e.g. "How do you play that?"). Each player must quickly continue the conversation by using only questions.

What do you shout out in bingo? ›

When all the numbers required to win a prize have been marked off, the player shouts in order to attract the caller's attention. There are no formal rules as to what can be shouted, but most players will shout "yes" or "bingo".

What is the call at the start of a bingo game? ›

Bingo Calls: The complete list
1 – Kelly's eye46 – Up to tricks
40 – Life begins85 – Staying alive
41 – Time for fun86 – Between the sticks
42 – Winnie the Pooh87 – Torquay in Devon
43 – Down on your knees88 – Two fat ladies
40 more rows
May 13, 2022

What is the most common number called in bingo? ›

PlayOJO's Top 10 most called Bingo numbers
1. Tom Mix6
2. Knock at the door4
3. Winnie the Pooh42
4. Turn on the screw62
5. Danny La Rue52
5 more rows
May 11, 2021

Is there any skill to bingo? ›

Being able to hear, listen, and make sense of the number calls is something that you need to be able to successfully play bingo. Listening is a skill that you will have to hone and perfect, negating accents and tone as well as any of the other noises in the room.

What are the winning patterns in bingo? ›

In most bingo games, there are five ways to win: five in a row, blackout, X, and 4 corners. However, many bingo halls also have “special pattern” games to keep things interesting. For these special pattern games, mark your cards with a highlighter to help you remember which squares can win.

What does 22 mean in bingo? ›

22 Two little ducks The numeral 22 resembles the profile of two ducks. Response is often "quack, quack, quack".

What does Lucky 7 mean in bingo? ›

What is a Lucky 7? A Lucky 7 Bingo bet is named after the pattern made on the betting slip. There are 7 selections in a 3×3 grid with two squares left empty. It is made up of 1 sevenfold, 1 fivefold, 2 trebles and 9 doubles.

How many patterns are there in bingo? ›

Therefore, it has only (15*14*13*12) = 32,760 unique combinations. The product of the five rows (360,3604 * 32,760) describes the total number of unique playing cards.

What is the question and answer game? ›

If you're playing in a group, the first player can choose a question and then the group can go around one by one and answer that question (with the person who asked the question going last). After everyone answers, the next player chooses a question and everyone answers again, and so on.

Why do games have rules answer? ›

Rules ensure that a game is played fair and in proper terms. It also helps ensure the safety of the players preventing serious injuries. Without rules, the game could be chaos.

What are the rules of 20 questions? ›

The premise of the game is simple: One person, called the “answerer,” thinks of an object. The other player — the “questioner” — asks up to 20 yes-or-no questions in order to determine what object the answerer is thinking about. If the questioner guesses correctly within 20 questions, they win.

What is the easiest way to answer questions? ›

How to respond to questions effectively
  1. Prepare for tough questions. ...
  2. Pause before responding. ...
  3. Monitor your body language. ...
  4. Reword the question. ...
  5. Take more time if you need to. ...
  6. Acknowledge the other person's emotions. ...
  7. Answer a portion of the question. ...
  8. Ask questions about the question.
Mar 15, 2021

What are the rules to 21 questions? ›

Each player has to answer a set of 21 questions. To make things more interesting, the players can divide the questions and allocate points to each. The person who answers them all wins. If you gather more than two people to play, all the other players get to ask you a question from the list as per their wish.

How do you answer questions in short answer? ›

Short answer questions in exams
  1. Deconstruct the question. ...
  2. Rephrase the question in your own words.
  3. Plan the structure of your answer before starting to write. ...
  4. Use examples to give evidence and help give your writing credibility.
  5. Use plain language and keep your writing straight to the point.

What number is dirty knees in bingo? ›

33 – Dirty knee/All the threes/Fish, chips and peas. A simple rhyme/33 represents all the threes available in a 90-ball game/a traditional English takeaway.

Does 4 corners count in bingo? ›

In addition to a straight line, other patterns may be considered a valid bingo in special games. For example, a 2×2 square of marked squares in the upper-right-hand corner could be considered a "postage stamp". Another common special game requires players to cover the four corners.

What does 69 mean in bingo? ›

69 – Favourite of mine. 70 – Three score and ten. 71 – Bang on the drum. 72 – Six dozen. 73 – Queen bee.

What letter is 69 in bingo? ›

The Station rep explains, “Players can, as always, see the call on our digital boards, but callers have also been given alternatives to communicating the number audibly. For example, a caller can say 'O, then a six and a nine. ' Another option would be to say, 'Six followed by nine, preceded by the letter O.

What is dirty bingo? ›

It's like regular bingo but participants have to connect the dots in a delightfully vulgar pattern instead of a direct line, and prizes include a wide range of toys donated by The Pleasure Chest. But beware: Cheaters get paddled when caught. 2610 N.

What does 9 on mean in bingo? ›

What is a 9-on? This is the "pack" that regular games are played on. Each sheet in the pack has 9 bingo cards on it. Each card face is another opportunity to win. For example, if game 1 is a "regular bingo," you will search all 9 cards for the pattern.

What does 12 on mean in bingo? ›

Faces or 12 On, 18 On, 24 On:

The number of cards per bingo sheet.

What does early bird mean in bingo? ›

EARLY BIRD

A short bingo session (2-8 games) placed prior to the regular session, used by the bingo operator to get players to the hall well in advance of the start of play. Small prizes are usually awarded.

What is a hot number in bingo? ›

HARDWAY BINGO – A winning bingo pattern that does not allow the player to use the free space. HOT BALL (Lucky numbers) – Usually the first ball called during a session. If you bingo on this number on any of the main (regular) games, an additional prize or jackpot is won.

How much does the average person spend at bingo? ›

Typically, to play one of every game for the session would cost approximately $20.

How is bingo good for mental health? ›

As part of a recreation therapy program, bingo may help players with their hand-eye coordination, concentration, mental health, short-term memory skills, and more. Because bingo is a social activity, it may have a positive impact on a person's health and wellbeing, including decreasing stress, depression, and anxiety.

Why bingo is actually good for you? ›

Researchers around the world have found that playing Bingo has multiple health benefits for older adults. You can build social connections, increase hand-eye coordination, and maintain your cognitive abilities and focus. Just think about the concentration it takes to manage multiple boards!

What is diamond pattern in bingo? ›

DIAMOND: Each CARD has a DIAMOND pattern of four Bingo numbers marked by a red line. Match all four numbers in the DIAMOND pattern on any CARD, and win the PRIZE in the PRIZE KEY corresponding to that CARD. 2.

How many numbers do you need to win bingo? ›

When a player has a BINGO (5 in a row, column, or diagonal), he or she calls out BINGO. The game pauses while the card is verified. If indeed a winner, the game stops and a new game begins.

What is the goal of bingo? ›

The objective of the game is to be the first to get all the numbers until you fill the entire card (called Bingo in the Bingo 90 mode and Tombola in the Tombola 90 mode).

How does bingo win work? ›

Each standard Bingo Cash match has a two-minute timer. Balls with a letter and a number on them will drop at regular intervals. If you see a matching number on your game board, tap on it to mark it off (daub it) on your virtual bingo card. The faster you daub a matching number, the more points you get.

How long does a bingo game last? ›

How long does bingo last? A regular session typically lasts about 3 – 3 ½ hours.

How many total bingo numbers are there? ›

A typical Bingo game utilizes the numbers 1 through 75. The five columns of the card are labeled 'B', 'I', 'N', 'G', and 'O' from left to right.

What are winning bingo patterns? ›

In most bingo games, there are five ways to win: five in a row, blackout, X, and 4 corners.

What is the best day to play bingo? ›

Friday and Saturday nights are often quieter with the younger generation of weekend Bingo players because they frequently use this time of the week to go out, socialise, have drinks or dinner with friends and will not be sat at home playing on their mobile devices in a Bingo room.

Do you need 5 in a row to win bingo? ›

Numbers with a letter (such as B-9) are drawn at random (out of a possible 75 in American Bingo, and 90 in British and Australian Bingo) until one player completes a 'Bingo' pattern, such as a line with five numbers in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal row on one of their cards and wins the prize.

What days are best for bingo? ›

Weekends. Weekend evenings (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) tend to the one of the busiest times you can engage in online bingo, and as a result this is often when online bingo providers end up offering the largest jackpots.

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