BINGO! The Bingo Rules That Every Player Should Know

October 20, 2019
BINGO! While the classic game may be a pasttime for grandma, there are essential bingo rules that every player should follow. Here's your guide.

Are you going on a gambling trip or outing soon? Trying to decide what games you should play so you can win big?

From blackjack to slots to craps, there are a lot of fun gambling games out there. But, one of the best gambling games to play is definitely bingo. 

Not only is bingo great for those who like a social environment, but it’s also incredibly easy to catch onto. 

However, there are some rules you should know before you play for money. 

Check out this guide to learn the top bingo rules that every player should know. 

How Does it Work? 

In bingo, each player has a card that is made up of a grid of 5 squares by 5 squares. Across the top of the grid are the letters “B-I-N-G-O”. Each square is also filled with a number. 

Each bingo game has a caller, who usually sits in front of the bingo hall with a microphone and basket/tumbler that randomized the numbers. 

Typically, there’s also a big board above the caller that notates the numbers that have already been called. 

How to Play  

For each turn, the caller will pull out a ball from the tumbler. Typically, there are 75 balls in each game, and every ball has both a letter (B-I-N-G-O) and a number (1-75) marked on it. 

For example, the caller will pull out a ball that says “B-3”. When this is called, you will go to the B column and then look down the row to see if there is a number 3. If the number 3 is there, you’ll mark the spot with a dauber (a fluorescent marker). 

The caller will give people a few seconds to mark their card, and then they’ll move on to the next number. 

In order to win, you’ll need to fill your card in a pattern that was designated at the beginning of the game. Typical patterns include filling in a whole row or column vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, or filling in all four corners. 

The night usually culminates with a blackout round, in which you need to fill in every square on your board. 

If you’ve managed to fill in the appropriate amount of squares to win the game, you will need to shout out “Bingo”. At this point, you will call back the numbers you have on your cards, and the caller or someone else will check your board to verify that you’ve won. 

Tips to Win Big 

While bingo is partially a game of luck, there are some tips you can employ to increase your chances of winning. 

These include:

  • Playing multiple cards (but not playing more than you can handle)
  • Choosing cards with median numbers
  • Choosing cards that don’t have a lot of numbers in common
  • Playing games with low attendance

And, before you hit the big leagues, it can be a good idea to gather some friends and play at home for fun. You can use this bingo card generator to get started. 

Bingo Rules: Are You Ready to Play Bingo 

Now that you know the bingo rules, it’s time to try your hand at playing. 

Once you’ve gotten the hang of it, be sure to check back in with our blog for more gambling tips and tricks. 

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