How To Play Bingo: Comprehensive Guide
Bingo is an immensely popular game of chance that has captivated players around the world for centuries. If you want to become a successful bingo player, you’ll need to understand the game rules, as well as a few tips and strategies that will help you along the way.
Understanding the Basics of Bingo
What is Bingo?
At its core, bingo is a game where players mark off numbers on their cards based on randomly drawn numbers. The aim here is to complete specific patterns on the card, which are generally straight lines, a pattern, or a full house (every number), before shouting out BINGO to let everyone know you’ve landed a win. It’s an incredibly engaging activity that brings people and communities together.
The game traces its origins back to Italy, where it was referred to as Lo Giuoco del Lotto d’Italia way back in the 16th century. Bingo slowly made its way around all of Europe, with new variations being created along the way. Centuries of tweaks and changes finally led us to the version we play today, which isn’t all that different from the original. Traditional bingo has been used in countless communities and churches to bring locals together, as well as fundraisers that support communal projects.
Once online casinos came onto the scene, bingo jumped to the online world. This move gave bingo its biggest popularity push in over 100 years! Online bingo brought random number generators into the mix, replacing bingo callers, and saw the automatization of drawn numbers being marked on cards. That’s right, the dauber was put out of business for online games, but so was the required effort to keep up with the caller, which was especially trying when playing multiple cards!
Sure, online bingo may lack its traditional communal spirited roots, but it does connect players around the globe, expanding horizons while also putting players in touch with like-minded bingo enthusiasts who live outside their community. This is all thanks to online bingo’s chat features, which bring the social element online as well.
Different Types of Bingo Games
Several variations of bingo exist, with similar rules and fundamental differences that distinguish one game type from the next. You’ll find loads of different versions to play but these are the most popular iterations you’ll come across.
90-Ball Bingo
Originating in the UK, 90 Ball Bingo is one of the most widely played versions of the game. It uses a card with three rows and columns, which can hold up to 15 numbers. Each row has five numbers and four empty spaces. The caller picks and announces numbers from 1 through 90. Players need to identify these numbers on their cards and mark them off. Traditionally, the game offers three prizes based on completing one horizontal line, two horizontal lines, or a full house, which offers the jackpot prize.
75-Ball Bingo
Crossing the pond over to North America, 75 Ball Bingo is incredibly popular. This variation uses cards with five rows and five columns and a central ‘free’ square. The free space is a freebie, so no matched number is required for it to be used within a pattern. Callers pick and announce numbers from 1 through 75. Players, or the online game, need to mark off predetermined patterns on the cards, which can include vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines, as well as letters, numbers, and holiday-themed patterns. It's an incredibly versatile and engaging game, renowned for its creative patterns and fun designs.
80-Ball Bingo
The 80-Ball Bingo game finds a happy balance between 75-Ball and 90-Ball Bingo. This time round, cards have four rows and four columns with 16 numbers. Each column represents a range of numbers, with the first fitting 1-20, the second 21-40, and so on. The objective is to complete specific patterns. These can be horizontal or vertical lines, four corners, or all 16 numbers (a full house), depending on the rules of the specific variation being played.
Speed Bingo
As the name very aptly implies, Speed Bingo is all about fast-paced gameplay. Callers are quick to shout out numbers and players need to be even quicker in marking numbers off their cards if they are playing live versions! The speed adds a challenge, demands full and undivided attention especially if it's played in a loud bingo hall! Of course, online, with the system automatically marking off your cards, games are quick and downright entertaining!
Getting Started with Online Bingo
Wondering how to start your online bingo adventure? Follow these simple steps and you’ll be gathering game cards in no time!
Creating an Online Casino Account
Start by creating your very own LeoVegas account. It’s a simple process that requires not-so-intrusive basic information like your full name, address, email, number and of course, a safe password. Once that’s complete, you can deposit with a Welcome Bonus that is sure to invite you into our lion’s den in style!
Navigating to the Bingo Games
Now that you’ve got a LeoVegas account, head over to the game selection. You can click on the bingo tab or type bingo into the search bar to get the full list of results. There are different variations for you to choose from, so decide on which version suits you best and fire up the game.
Buying Bingo Tickets Online
Bingo games tend to welcome you with a selection of bingo rooms that carry different ticket prices and game schedules within them. Each room can host a different bingo variation, so while one might offer 90 Ball Bingo, the other room may be playing Speed Bingo. Have a look at all the available options and pick the room you’re keen on joining.
Once you’re in, you can see information on upcoming games, start times, ticket prices, and potential prizes. Pick a game from the list and click on it to buy your tickets. There is a limit to the number of tickets you can buy. While some games let you pick specific tickets, others will simply dish them out automatically. Select the number of tickets you want to buy and head to the checkout page to pay for them. Keep both your budget and ability to juggle multiple cards in mind when buying tickets.
Play the Game
Time to start playing! Online games generally mark numbers off automatically, so there’s no need to worry about keeping track. Winning patterns are also identified automatically and prizes are credited accordingly.
Rules of Playing Bingo
Bingo Card Layout
Bingo cards are organised in a grid layout and generally come with a variety of rows and columns. Let’s use the 75 Ball Bingo setup as an example. It plays with a card that has five rows and five columns for a total of 25 spaces. The central space is marked as a ‘free’ and numbers are placed in ranges on each column. For example, the first column houses numbers that fall between 1 and 15, the second column 16 to 30, the third 31 to 45 and so on. To win, players need to complete specific patterns by marking off numbers as they’re called. Patterns can take on all kinds of shapes and sizes. The most common ones are horizontal, vertical, or diagonal lines, but you can also get more intricate shapes, letters or thematic designs. The first player to complete a pattern wins and receives the associated reward.
Game Initiation and Number Calling
A bingo game’s initiation sets the stage for the exciting potential that lies ahead. Players receive cards with their respective number selections. The game reveals the predetermined patterns that need to be completed to win.
The bingo caller is pivotal. It’s their job to announce the numbers drawn to players, and boy this can be an engagement boom or bust! It can also be one of the most entertaining parts of bingo, especially when fun calls are involved like ‘clickety click, 66’. In any case, let’s get back to business. The bingo caller announces the numbers from a machine or ball-drawing mechanism. As soon as the number is drawn, it’s announced. Experienced bingo callers will know how to build on the excitement and anticipation of the moment by creating an element of suspense whenever they reveal a new number. But the bingo caller’s role isn’t all fun and games. They must also make sure that they maintain fairness. A bingo caller’s pace can influence a game’s dynamics so they must strike the right balance between keeping the game’s rhythm and giving players ample time to keep up. Online versions of the game run with random number generators that ensure fairness across the board, hold a steady pace, and keep the game flowing!
Marking the Numbers
Marking called numbers on your bingo card is crucial to the game, as you want to make sure you don’t miss out on potential wins.
Concentration is key. You’ll want to pay attention to the caller’s announcements and minimise distractions as much as possible. Missing a called number could cost you a winning pattern afterall. There are methods that can help you clearly and easily mark numbers. Use a highlighter, a dauber/dabber, or a pen to simply cross out called numbers.
Be sure to mark numbers at a steady pace. Rushing can lead to accidents or even missed numbers. Any errors can have you missing subsequent calls. Review your card and double-check markings after the end of a round or pattern. It can help you catch any mistakes you make early on.
When playing with multiple cards, arrange them in an order that helps you mark numbers efficiently. The more organised you are, the easier it will be to mark called numbers. You can also use free spaces on cards to your advantage. Mark these off at the beginning of the game to give yourself a head start and then divide the cards into visual, manageable sections.
Bingo Patterns and Winning
Bingo patterns are crucial to winning the game. The most common are straight lines which can be vertical, horizontal or diagonal, as well as a full house, which covers the entire card. You can follow visual aids like pattern charts which give you clear diagrams of how numbers should be marked for each pattern. These aids help you to better understand how each pattern can be formed, so you can set up any necessary strategies.
How to Win in Bingo
You’ll need to complete designated patterns on your card to win. The specific pattern will vary, game to game. Let’s say it's a straight line, any way. To win, you’d need to produce that pattern on your bingo card from the caller’s drawn numbers. If you can do that, time to yell BINGO. Your pattern will then be confirmed and you’ll be declared as the game’s winner. The prize you get depends on the rules and can either be a cash reward or gift. In some games, you may see multiple winners for different patterns in a single round.
Of course, in the majority of online bingo games, this process is automated. So, you don’t have to worry about calling BINGO and getting embarrassed if you skipped a number or two!
Tips and Strategies for Playing Bingo
Certain strategies can be followed to help increase your chances of winning online bingo. First of all, selecting games with fewer players will boost your odds. You’ll also need to manage multiple cards effectively by staying organised and only taking on several cards if you can efficiently follow along. We also recommend setting a budget before playing. Bingo is ultimately a game of chance, so enjoy the experience responsibly by staying within your means.
Bingo FAQ
Is bingo purely a game of luck?
Bingo is ultimately a game of luck, but you can still use strategies to maximise your experience.
Can I play bingo online?
Yes, there are several online bingo games you can play at LeoVegas.
What is online bingo, and how does it differ from traditional bingo?
Online bingo is played over an internet connection with players from all around the world. It features an automated system to draw numbers and mark them automatically on your card.
What's the history of bingo?
Bingo originated in Italy in the 16th century and has developed over time into the game we love today.
How do I deposit money into my online bingo account?
You can deposit money by going through the same deposit procedure you use to play all online games at LeoVegas.
What is a progressive jackpot in online bingo?
A progressive bingo jackpot is a prize that different games contribute to. For example, multiple bingo rooms may help feed one single jackpot, which is why progress jackpots can end up so large. As a progressive, the jackpot will continue to build until won, and then it’s reset and the process repeats!
Are there any strategies that can improve my chances of winning?
There are several strategies you can try out. We recommend being smart with the number of cards you bring into play and finding an efficient way to organise and manage your cards is a top rated approach.