Guide to Playing Online Bingo
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Bingo has been a popular game for centuries, and the simplicity of the format has led to it being used in a variety of different ways. It was once a popular form of lottery among the upper classes, a well-loved carnival game, and an educational tool, and the fact it is so easy to play has made it a top choice for millions of people.
While the game itself is easy to play, experienced bingo fans will learn plenty of tips and tricks that help them to win more often. It’s not just as simple as waiting for your numbers to come up, especially in online bingo where there are plenty of bingo games that include other features that make the game even more exciting.
How to play
The basic game of bingo is so simple that it’s been a hit with children and adults for centuries. In its original form, players would be given a printed card with a series of random numbers on it and a ‘caller’ would pick numbered balls at random and call them out.
Matching the numbers being called with the numbers on the card might sound simple, but the pace of the game keeps things exciting as players try to scan their cards before the next number is called. Experienced players may play more than one card at a time as they get better and faster at spotting the numbers.
Online bingo retains all the charm of its land-based predecessor, providing the fun and excitement of a bingo hall, but in digital form. The gameplay is almost identical, but instead of using a physical card, your numbers are displayed on a virtual ‘card’ on-screen.
To win, you need to mark off numbers in a line on your bingo ticket, so you need to be on the lookout for patterns, but in online bingo, they are marked off automatically, so you don’t have to worry that you might miss one.
Different types of bingo game
There are a couple of different formats that largely focus on the number of balls involved, as that determines the speed of the game and how often players can be expected to win.
Forty-ball bingo is a popular choice among those that like the thrill of a fast-moving game and plenty of opportunities to win. The card is usually a two-by-four grid, so many players will have more than one on the go at any given time, allowing players to maximise their chances of winning.
Fifty-ball bingo is played on a two-by-five grid and with only ten numbers to check, the games still tend to be pretty speedy. Players can win by marking off a horizontal line first, or by getting a full house by marking off every number on their card.
Seventy-five-ball bingo is the most popular type played in America and has become a top choice in the UK since crossing the Atlantic. It’s usually played on a five-by-five card that has a blank square in the centre, and there are plenty of different routes to win that make it an exciting choice for bingo lovers.
Eighty-ball bingo is a relatively new format for the game, usually played on a four-by-four card with a range of winning combinations that challenge players to get a full house in order to win.
Ninety-ball bingo is played on a three-by-nine grid that usually has a few blank spaces and a few different ways to win. Players could get all four corners, a row of consecutive numbers or a full house.
With larger grids, players can often win by completing a line in any direction, either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. There are also prizes for getting a full house, or for making one of the predetermined patterns, such as butterflies or clover leaves, depending on the theme of the game.
The gameplay
Playing bingo online is easier than ever and you can choose from a wide range of different virtual rooms and games but most operate in the same way. Once you’ve chosen your game, you will need to buy your cards or tickets and there will usually be a limit to ensure that all the players are in with a chance of winning.
The play starts when the first number is called and most sites offer the option to have your numbers crossed off with an automatic ‘dauber’ but fast-fingered players might prefer to cross the numbers off themselves. In online bingo, a winning ticket is identified automatically, so you don’t have to do anything when you get a winning pattern.
Instead, you will be notified by the site that you have won, with details of how much, and the money will usually be deposited directly into your account within 24 hours. Online bingo is a fun way to get your bingo fix from the convenience of your own home, whenever you have the time to play.
