Bingo can be played in halls or in the privacy of your own home online. Bingo rules and payouts and play variations vary from place to place.
Basically, players buy cards with numbers on them in a 5 x 5 grid corresponding to the five letters in the word B-I-N-G-O. Numbers such as B-2 or 0-68 are then drawn at random (out of a possible 75) until one player completes a Bingo line with five numbers in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal row on one of their cards and wins the prize.
The object of Bingo is to match all numbers in a row on your card horizontally, vertically, diagonally or any other pattern which is set at the beginning of the game.
Once you complete the pattern you have a BINGO!
See also: Bingo Playing Strategy
How To Mark Your Bingo Cards
Once a number is called, check all of your Bingo cards. If the number called matches a number on one or more of your Bingo cards, mark that square on your Bingo cards. If you are playing in a bingo hall this is usually done with a stamp or if you are playing online bingo you mark your cards by clicking on the announced number with your mouse. This will mark that square with a colored circle.
You don't have to mark the center square labelled FREE. The FREE square counts towards all of the Bingo patterns if it is part of the pattern being played.
If playing bingo online and auto-daub is available in your game, a checkbox will appear on the game screen. If auto-daub is enabled you do not have to daub your own cards, it will mark them for you, but you will still have to claim bingo if you get it.
When You Have BINGO
If you match the game pattern, you have Bingo. Typically you will be required to shout out “bingo” or if playing a game online hit the BINGO button - but only once. The Bingo button is on the right side of the game screen in most games. You will not be a winner unless you hit the BINGO button. Claiming Bingo will register your Bingo win and confirm that your Bingo card has the correct numbers called. If you submit to many incorrect claims, your bingo button will be inactivated.
If more than one player has a winning Bingo card, the Bingo jackpot value will be divided equally among the winners.
Common Bingo Terms
Blackout: (Also, Coverall) A pattern where you must cover the whole card to win.
Caller: The person who calls out the bingo numbers.
Chat Room: A handy monitor or screen where you can read and exchange messages with other players.
Dauber: Bingo dauber is a bottle of ink that has a foam top on it, when you touch the bingo card with the foam tip it marks the square.
Early Bird Game: A bingo game that starts earlier than another regularly scheduled game.
Free Space: The center square of the card. It's like a Joker. You get it free every game and it counts towards your winning pattern.
Game Board: The display board above your card(s) that shows you the balls in play.
Game Room: Some online games divide the players into game rooms.
Jackpot: A big prize usually awarded for achieving a difficult pattern, such as a blackout, within a specified number of balls.
Pattern: The shape you need to cover on your card with called out numbers, usually it is a straight line.
