How to Play Bingo
Bingo! A game of pure chance, Bingo is a universal favourite that’s fun and easy to play. It may not require strategy, but it does call for quick thinking and fast action. It’s great to know that Bingo is also charitable gaming, so part of the proceeds goes back to local communities.
Check the complete guide on How to play Bingo.
Breaking Down Bingo
Before you play, it's good to know the elements of the game and what they're called.
Ball Blower
The Bingo ball blower is an air-blowing machine that mixes 75 numbered balls, which are removed and called out, one at a time. The size and weight of each numbered ball is equal to ensure a random draw every time.
Bingo Cards
A card is an individual Bingo sheet with 24 numbered squares plus a free space. It’s divided into a grid with the letters B I N G O as separate columns. Under each letter is a number that corresponds with a series of numbers from 1 to 75.
The free space in the centre of the grid is considered automatically filled.
Strip
Bingo cards come in “strips”. A strip is a vertical column of 3 bingo cards. These are available to buy individually or in a book with multiple strips.
The Book
Whenever you play Bingo, you buy a book of cards for the entire session. Each page in the book contains strips of Bingo cards. Books range from 1 strip to 6 strips, with 3 to 18 cards per page. Each page of the book corresponds to a different Bingo game with a different theme.
Just learning to play? Try a 2- or 3-strip book for an easy start.
Session Program
This is the evening’s agenda, shown on a paper handed out at the centre, usually where you buy your cards. It’s designed to present the order of the games, the prize for each game, and the line or pattern required to win.
Caller
The person who calls out the numbers to the players, and stops the action when Bingo is called.
Bingo Marker or Dauber
This is a special ink marker used to mark or “dab” the numbers on your cards as they are called.
Flashboard
A flashboard displays each number as it’s called.
How to Play Bingo in 5 easy steps
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1Plan your play: Choose your Centre, arrive early, and pick up a Session Program to see when specific games are played. Payment methods may vary, with some centres accepting credit or debit cards and others cash-only.
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2Set a budget: Bingo is fun to play, but it’s smart to treat it as part of your entertainment budget. Plan a budget and stick to it.
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3Buy your cards: Get everything you need to play Bingo at your local centre, from books of cards to special games.
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4Dab and Play Bingo: Get ready, get set, go! Watch and listen to the caller for every number-letter combination; dab and play to win.
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5Yell Bingo! Score the right pattern? It’s your turn to yell BINGO as soon as the combination is called.
1. Plan your Play
Choose a Centre
To help you choose where to play, each Bingo centre lists its schedule and programs online. These include special events such as cosmic Bingo and prize nights.
Arrive Early, Prepare to play
Plan to arrive at the centre 30 minutes before the session starts, to buy cards and secure a seat.
Bingo sessions can last from one and a half to three hours, including an intermission.
PAYMENT CHOICES
Payment methods may vary, with some Bingo Centres accepting credit or debit cards and others cash-only.
2. Set a budget
Plan how much you’re willing to spend on Bingo in advance, and set a weekly or monthly budget if you plan to play frequently.
Treat it as part of your entertainment budget: cash you’d spend on a night out. Play only as many sessions as your budget allows.
3. Buy your cards
Buy a book of Bingo cards, choosing from 3 to 36 cards per game. Specials, or bonus games, are also offered as separate strips for individual purchase.
Specials are add-on, optional Bingo games, not included in the book, and can be purchased as individual strips of cards. They have their own prizes, including jackpots, which require a minimum purchase – usually a 2-strip, but can vary by Bingo Centre.
Be prepared with a session program and a dauber, which you can buy at the Bingo Centre.
4. Play Bingo
Get ready, get set, go! The caller will draw one ball at a time and call out each number-letter combination.
When a combination that’s called matches one on your card, dab that square on the card. Be sure to use only the dauber, not a pen or felt marker.
If you dab the wrong number by mistake, you can still win. Just ignore that mark or place a coin on it as a reminder.
Go ahead and play multiple cards at once – but only as many as you can dab. You don’t want to miss any potential wins!
Bingo Patterns
To win the game, get all of the number-letter combinations needed to form each required pattern.
Horizontal Line
Straight across the card
Diagonal Line
Across the card on an angle
Letter X
This looks like a large X
Four Corners
One in every corner of the card
Large Square
The outside rows form a square
Centre Cross
Straight across and down the middle
Coverall or Full Card
Fill in the works
5. Yell Bingo
Got the winning pattern? It's your turn to yell BINGO!
Four things to keep in mind:
- Yell bingo as soon as the number is called.
- Don’t yell bingo before the announcer calls your last number, even if it’s up on the screen.
- Do yell bingo before the announcer moves on to another number – otherwise it won’t count.
- If you call it by mistake, don’t worry. It’s not a problem.
Hold on to your card in case someone who calls it didn’t actually win.
Be sure to bring government-issued photo ID to claim your prize.
Bingo Jackpots
There are two types of jackpot prizes, depending on the game.
FIXED PRIZING
The prize for each game is fixed, unaffected by the number of players, and listed on the session program. It may be split among multiple winners.
Progressive jackpots
Some games feature progressive jackpot prizes, which start with a base amount and increase by a fixed amount or as a percentage of sales. Not every progressive game will have a winner, so the prize pot will increase until a player wins, and it may be split among multiple winners.
Some Bingo Centres feature a “must go” night, when the progressive jackpot must be won.
Some games or rounds of Bingo feature an ordinal number, which means that to win the jackpot, Bingo must be called before a maximum number of balls are drawn. If Bingo is yelled after that, the winner only wins a consolation prize.
More ways to play bingo
Electronic Bingo (eBingo)
Turbo Challenge Bingo
Electronic Bingo (eBingo)
Leave your bingo dauber at home. eBingo is a modern version of the traditional paper bingo you know and love. Played on an electronic touchscreen, the computer automatically “daubs” the numbers for you. All you have to do is follow along and yell “Bingo!” when you’ve matched the pattern called.
Turbo Challenge Bingo
Take your game up a notch. Turbo Challenge Bingo is designed for players looking for a fast-paced game, that can keep even the most experienced bingo players on their toes. Numbers are called every few seconds and players are challenged to follow along, swiping their numbers to match the pattern called.
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