How to Play Bingo
Learning how to play bingo is simple, and that’s a part of what makes the game so popular. Many people learn how to play bingo as a kid, but it’s understandable if you need a little refresher on the rules of bingo.
There are two types of bingo rules that are common: 90 ball bingo and 75 ball bingo. On this page, we’ll explain how to play both types of bingo. The rules of the game are basically the same online as they are at live bingo halls.
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How to Play 75 Ball Bingo
This bingo variant is the most common in the United States and most of North America. 75 ball bingo is played on a card with a 5×5 grid. Most 75 ball bingo cards include a free square in the middle that can be marked right off the bat.
The letters B-I-N-G-O are printed along the top of the grid. Each letter corresponds to one column of boxes. The boxes within the grid are printed with random numbers. Here’s what a typical 75 ball bingo card looks like:
Once the players all have their bingo cards, the game may begin. A bingo caller picks random letters and numbers and announces them to the players. For example, the caller may call “B-9” and anyone who has the number 9 within the B column may mark that box.
The goal of 75 ball bingo is to be the first person to mark off some specified pattern. In a typical bingo game, the pattern is a single line of 5 squares. This line can be diagonal, horizontal or vertical.
The first player to achieve the specified pattern yells the word “bingo” out loud. That player’s card is checked to make sure the correct boxes were marked and that the pattern has been achieved. If so, that player wins a prize.
After a player has gotten a bingo, the game might end right there, or it may continue with another pattern, giving more players a chance to win.
How to Play 90 Ball Bingo
90 ball bingo is popular in the UK, Europe and other parts of the world. The basic idea is the same, but the cards are arranged differently in 90 ball bingo.
90 ball bingo cards consist of a grid of nine columns and three rows. Five of the boxes in each row are marked with random numbers. Here’s what a typical 90 ball bingo card looks like:
Games of 90 ball bingo progress in the same manner as 75 ball bingo. The caller picks random numbers and announces those numbers to the players. If a player sees that number on his or her card, that player may mark that number.
There are three different ways to win in 90 ball bingo:
- Be the first person to mark off all five numbers in a single row
- Be the first person to mark off all five numbers in two rows
- Be the first person to mark off all five numbers in three rows
As soon as a player marks off all five printed numbers in a single row, that player is responsible for getting the attention of the bingo caller. This may include yelling “bingo,” “house,” “line” or some other predetermined word.
Where to Play Bingo
Bingo can be played online for real money and at various live bingo halls. We recommend online bingo thanks to its convenience, community atmosphere and significant prize pools. Check out our online bingo reviews page to find a list of the best online bingo sites: