Online bingo games are popular in the UK, with dozens of sites and mobile apps offering players the chance to play a light-hearted and very British gambling game where big prizes can be won by a lucky few.
The game is simple – every player has a card of numbers, arranged in a grid. Numbered balls are picked at random, and when a ball with a number you have chosen is selected, you can cross that number off your card. Players win prizes by being the first person to cross off a full row, column, or the entire grid, which is called a ‘Full House’.
But there are lots of different kinds of bingo games available to play online. In this article, we take you through the basic variants so you know what to do at bingo sites.
Table of Contents
90 Ball Bingo
There are no prizes for guessing that there are 90 numbered balls to choose from in 90 ball bingo! On a typical bingo card in 90 ball bingo, you have nine columns and three rows – that’s 27 picks in total. Under the rules of the probability of events, there’s just under a 1-in-3 chance of one of your chosen numbers being picked on the first round. How you win a game of 90 ball bingo will depend on the exact specificities of the particular game you choose, and what website you are on, but in most cases, completing one line, two lines, or getting a full house will land you a prize.
75 Ball Bingo
A trimmed-down version of 90 ball bingo, there are only 75 numbered balls in this variation. Also, instead of a 9 x 3 bingo card, the cards have five rows and five columns, with the slot in the middle of the grid being kept empty. By picking 24 numbers out of a possible 75, once again there’s just under a 1-in-3 chance of one of your chosen numbers being picked on the first round.
Despite those odds being very similar to 90 ball bingo, the gameplay is much faster, because you can win prizes with fewer matches – a full line can come from as few as five numbers rather than nine, two full lines from 10 rather than 18, and a full house from 24 rather than 27. Of course, because you play against others in bingo, this makes the game more competitive rather than simply increasing your chance of winning. And if you wish to get yourself ready to enjoy bingo 75 games, it’s also a good idea to check out how the rules at individual sites differ, too. For example, at Paddy Power Bingo, crossing off chosen numbers in multiple different patterns – like an X shape – can win you prizes too.
Special variations
Many sites offer bingo games, and there is a much greater variety of types than just 90 or 75 balls. Many sites play around with the appearance of their games, theming the game after popular TV shows or films. There are lots of different kinds of bingo games available on the internet currently, so make sure you know the rules of any games you do play to increase the fun!
