Bingo Rules
Bingo is a rather simple game but to make sure you know everything there is to know, here are the rules for both 90 ball and 75 ball bingo.
There are two types of bingo games. 90 Ball bingo and 75 ball bingo. Both have slightly different rules but both share the same objective, the first one wins!
90 Ball Bingo
90 Ball bingo is so called because.. Yes you guessed it! It uses 90balls. A bingo ticket in 90 ball bingo consists of three lines containing five numbers on each line. When the game begins the bingo caller calls numbers randomly. To make things easier to understand the numbers are sometimes called in their digits followed by the full number e.g. “4 and 8… 48” and in some games a fun traditional way of calling the numbers is to use what is referred to as “bingo banter”, “bingo slang” or “Bingo lingo” e.g. “Two little ducks… 22”.
When the number has been called players then check their ticket for that number. If they have the number they then mark it with a pen or a bingo dabber (coloured stamp pen).
In 90 ball bingo players can win up to three prizes. One of the three prizes can be won by the following-
- The first player to mark off all the numbers in a line.
- The first player to mark off all the numbers in two lines
- The first player to mark off all three lines on their ticket. All the numbers on a ticket is referred to as a full house.
When playing in a public bingo club the players claim their prize by shouting “Bingo!” or “House!”. When playing bingo online the winning ticket is automatically detected, so there is no need to be shouting “Bingo!” when sat in front of the computer!
75 Ball Bingo
There are 75 balls used in 75 ball bingo. The ticket consists of a 5x5 grid. Each square of the grid contains a number. The centre square of the grid contains a number which is called a “Free Square” this means the number is considered marked without being called.
Just like the 90 ball bingo the numbers are called randomly by the bingo caller. The players mark off the numbers on their ticket as they are called.
75 Ball bingo is often called “Pattern bingo” because the numbers marked off have to be in a certain shape e.g. an L shape would require the numbers in the first column and the numbers on the bottom row to be marked off, making an L shape.
In 75 ball bingo only one prize is won. This prize goes to the first person to mark off the numbers in the shape given. When all the numbers on the ticket have been marked off this is called “blackout bingo” or “coverall bingo” not “house” like 90 bingo.
Progressive Jackpot
Progressive jackpots can sometimes be won in both 90 ball and 75 ball bingo. The jackpot value increases game after game until it is won.
To win a progressive jackpot in 90 ball bingo players would have to mark off a full house before certain amount of numbers has been called.
In 75 bingo the progressive jackpot can be won by the player marking off all 25 numbers on the grid (coverall pattern) before a certain amount of numbers has been called.
Different sites have different rules for progressive jackpots. Make sure you know them before playing the game. Progressive jackpot prizes sometimes need to be claimed manually. Speak with a chat moderator or read the site rules and instructions on how to claim your prize.
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