Bingo

The game of Bingo has you match the randomly drawn numbers with spaces on your cards to complete patterns and win prizes. People have been blotting cards and shouting “BINGO!” in halls for decades, and today you can even play from home on the internet .

Our complete guide to bingo explains the rules, how to play, and which online variations have the best odds. We’ll also recommend some top casino sites where you can play online.

Already know the game? Win real money playing bingo online .

Bingo Rules

Once you learn the basic rules of bingo , you can easily play any variation of the game. It started as a basic carnival game called beano in the 1920s and has since spread into bingo halls and casinos nationwide, and is now even online.

Objective

The main objective in all versions of bingo is to complete a winning pattern on one of your cards. You do this by matching up spaces on the cards to balls drawn by the caller.

In brick-and-mortar bingo halls, you keep track of your progress by marking off spaces with a blotter as numbers get called out. To win the round, you need to be the first person to complete the pattern and shout “BINGO!” Finally, an official will check your card for accuracy before declaring you the winner of the round.

When you play casino bingo online, a random number generator automatically draws the balls and marks off all your cards. To win, you need to hit patterns on the paytable in a certain number of balls drawn. Your prizes get paid out to your bankroll at the end of each round.

Bingo Cards Explained

The standard bingo card is a 5×5 grid of 25 spaces . Each column is under one of the letters in the name of the game, B – I – N – G and O.

Most 5×5 cards have the center space marked as free . In bingo halls, all drawable numbers in a round have a corresponding letter, making it easier to find the squares and blot them. Some examples include B7, N33, and G56.

Many online bingo variations use cards with different layouts . The 3×5 configuration is quite common, but you may even see a 3×3 or 4×4 game. These digital versions don’t always have the columns under letters at the top since the game automatically marks all your spaces.

Common Winning Bingo Patterns

The spaces you need to mark off depend on the round or the game’s paytable. There are hundreds of bingo patterns , but below are some of the most common winning combinations .

Download these winning bingo pattern charts to print them off and take them to the casino or hall.

How to Play Bingo

Bingo is a fun and exciting game that anyone can pick up with a bit of know-how . You can play multiple cards simultaneously in many halls and online games, so the most challenging part is keeping track of all the action. Follow these steps, and you’ll be playing like a pro in no time.

1. Visit the Bingo Hall or Online Casino

   Search for a bingo hall in your area or choose a casino site that has online bingo games .

2. Buy In or Fund Your Account

   Visit the cashier at the bingo hall or online casino and make a deposit so you can play. It could be a fixed entry fee or a pay-as-you-play structure.

3. Get Your Cards Ready

   Layout your cards for the round and get your blotters ready. Online casino software lets you wager on anywhere from 1 to 100 cards at once.

4. Play the Round

   Pay close attention while blotting your spaces to ensure accuracy. Keep your eye on cards that are only a couple of squares from a win.

5. Get a BINGO and Win!

   Right when you fill in a winning combination, shout “BINGO!” In halls, only one card wins, but online, many of your cards could be winners at the end of the round.

Video Guide to Online Bingo

This short video explains the basics of online bingo and how it works . It’s just like playing in person, but you don’t have to mark your cards, and you’ll never miss a win. However, unlike a bingo hall, you get special features, bonus balls, and the opportunity to hit huge jackpots.

Popular Bingo Games

Bingo comes in all shapes and sizes . You’ll find varying styles, draw quantity, and the number of cards you can play simultaneously. Below we talk about some of the most popular versions of the game you can find in casinos and halls.

If you prefer to play online, check out our reader’s favorite virtual bingo games .

Bingo Odds & Probabilities

It can be pretty tricky to calculate the odds or probabilities of a round of bingo . That’s because there are different-sized cards, and all winning patterns don’t require the same number of spaces to win. Some games even start with more or fewer balls in the hopper.

Is It Better to Play More Cards?

I n a bingo hall, more cards mean a better chance to win . Every card holds an equal chance of winning, but every player may have a different amount of cards. To calculate your odds, you would divide your cards by the total cards in play.

Most online bingo games don’t pit you against other players. You’re merely trying to hit as many winning combinations as possible. Here, playing more cards online doesn’t increase your odds since each card is essentially its own game.

Number of Balls vs. Number of Calls

Every bingo game online has a set number of balls in the hopper . No matter the number of balls or the paytable, getting a bingo is tough early in the game, with your odds increasing with each call . That means everyone has a better chance of winning later in the round as the number of calls goes up.

This table shows the probability of hitting a single line bingo in a 75 ball game as the number of calls increases.

# of Calls	10	15	20	25	30	35
Probability	0.08%	0.59%	2.29%	6.40%	14.4%	27.2%

# of Calls	40	45	50	55	60	65
Probability	44.6%	64.0%	81.4%	93.2%	98.6%	99.9%

Bingo Hall Strategy

Bingo drawings are entirely random, so there is no specific strategy that guarantees a win . Your best bet is to use money management tactics. That means you play more cards over time and increase your chances of winning since you can enter more games.

The Best Online Bingo Sites 2022

You can play online bingo at many of our recommended casino sites . We recommended the sites below for players in the France. They all have valuable bonuses , extensive game libraries , and secure, reliable banking methods .

RANK	ONLINE CASINO	BINGO GAMES	BONFR	START
1	Wild Casino	BINGO GAMES 4	BONFR 100% up to $5,000	Play Now
2	Las Atlantis	BINGO GAMES 2	BONFR 280% up to $14,000	Play Now
3	BetFR	BINGO GAMES 1	BONFR 150% up to $3,000	Play Now
4	Super Slots	BINGO GAMES 4	BONFR 250% up to $6,000	Play Now
5	BetOnline Casino	BINGO GAMES 4	BONFR 100% up to $3,000	Play Now

Use This Bingo Guide to Start Playing

Visit the local bingo hall and join the action . The community tends to be a friendly bunch ready to accept new players and show you the ropes. After only a couple of rounds, you’ll have this easy and exciting game down pat.

You can also have hours of fun playing online bingo for real money . Manage your bankroll, and you might hit a full card payout or even a progressive jackpot!

Bingo FAQ

Below are some common questions players ask us about online bingo . Visit our internet bingo FAQ page if you don’t see your answer here.