Bingo Rules, Games & Patterns

Bingo is a game with simple rules that has been popular over time with a wide range of different types of players. It is played with a bingo card and a lot of different numbered balls. Specifically, there are 75 numbered balls in American bingo and 90 balls in British and Australian bingo. The caller takes a numbered ball out of a machine that looks similar to what you may recognize as a lottery ball machine. This numbered ball will be put on a display and the caller will call out the number. Players will then need to find that number on their bingo card within an allotted time frame.

Generally, bingo numbers are called in 15 to 20 second intervals, although if a winner is expected, the interval may increase to around 25 seconds.

Bingo Cards

A bingo card will have numbers displayed on it in a 5 x 5 grid that corresponds to the letters in B-I-N-G-O. Players will need to complete a bingo pattern by covering the numbers in a specific direction such as horizontal, vertical or diagonal. Numbers are randomly drawn and will be called out as, for example, B6 or G48.

Bingo games exist in a number of different patterns and with varying rules. The bingo pattern on a bingo card may already be demarcated. Here we will look at three primary types:

• Normal or Static – A normal or static bingo pattern is found on a bingo card where the pattern is set and can't be shuffled or repositioned. In order to win one of these bingo games, the player must cover all of the squares that have been demarcated as the pattern.

• Crazy Bingo – A crazy bingo pattern is one that has a set pattern; however it can be shuffled by 90 degree increments. The bingo game will be won if the pattern matches straight on or with turns of 90 degrees, 180 degrees or 270 degrees.

• Wild Bingo – A wild bingo card has a set bingo pattern in that it cannot be repositioned, but the pattern can be located on any position on the card.

Here are some common examples of most winning bingo patterns:

Bingo halls tend to offer a range of different games and many of these may be offered during a single bingo session. What you can count on, is to always be able to find regular games. These games allow for straight vertical, horizontal or diagonal lines and often also accept four corners.

For a bit of variety, there are a great many other games that can be found. Some bingo halls will offer a range of these games while others may offer a small selection. Either way, there are plenty of different types of bingo games that you can keep a look out for. You will often find that the name of the game, explains the pattern that it requires for a win. Here are a few examples of some of the common variations:

• Cover-all – This is a popular game that requires the winner to cover all the squares on the bingo card. It often plays as the final game in a session.

• Top and Bottom – The top and bottom rows of the bingo card must be covered.

• Nine Pack – Nine numbers, in a square pattern, must be covered.

• Six Pack – Six numbers, in a pattern of 3 x 2 horizontally or vertically, must be filled. Some bingo halls may allow the free space to be counted, while same may not.

• Kite and Tail – players must complete a kite and tail pattern with a diagonal line through to a corner with the four squares of that corner filled.

• Blood, Sweat and Tears – Three bingos (horizontal, vertical or diagonal lines) must be completed on one bingo card.

• Eight States – The eight numbers that form a square around the free space must be covered.

• Postage Stamps – Two corners of your bingo card must be filled with a pattern of four numbers each.

• Dotted Picture Frame – Spaces will be dotted around your card as you cover every other number.

Before you begin a game of bingo you must be clear on the bingo rules of the room you are playing at and of the rules of the specific game you have chosen to play. As you can see from the above examples of games, there are many types of bingo games and the way to win the game varies dramatically between them. Before you can hope to have a chance of winning a game, make sure you are clear on the rules that have been provided to you by the bingo room you are playing in.