Double Bingo Rules
The Bingo Caller usually sits in the front. Above him is a big board (often a light board) that notates the numbers that have already been called. The caller also has a basket or tumbler that randomizes the balls. Each ball is marked with a number. Bingo games generally have 75 balls in play. Bingo Room Rules. Guest must be 21 years of age or older to be in the Bingo Room. Guest must be playing the minimum buy-in to be seated in the room. All paper packs must be marked with a dauber. Only one electronic unit per guest is allowed. It is the guest’s responsibility to keep the correct receipt with their electronic units. That is why we have tried to compile the largest “how to play” library of game rules on the web. You’ll find FREE online rules and tips for board, party, billiard, outdoor, dart, card, dice, tile and word games, from Table Tennis to Checkers to Scrabble to Dominoes and much more. They are yours to down load so you can start playing.
Bingo is played in halls. Bingo rules and payouts and play variations vary from place to place. Bingo brochures detailing particular games, rules and payouts are usually available at each respective location.
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 in American Bingo, and 90 in British and Australian Bingo) until one player completes a 'Bingo' pattern, such as a line with five numbers in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal row on one of their cards and wins the prize. There are many possible patterns to play for. See here examples of bingo patterns (link opens new window).
A bingo Card contains 24 numbered spaces and one free space (blank), with which you play BINGO. The numbers are assigned at random on each card and are arranged in five columns of five numbers each by five rows (5 x 5 = 25 in total including the blank square).
The numbers in the B column are between 1 and 15, in the I column between 16 and 30, in the N column (containing four numbers and the free space) between 31 and 45, in the G column between 46 and 60, and in the O column between 61 and 75.
Players have thousands of unique (unduplicated) cards to choose from. Some manufacturers print unduplicated series of 6,000 cards. There are also series of 9,000 cards available. Hard cards and Flimsy cards have a series number printed on them. For example, card number 1252 will always have the same numbers in the same spaces.
Bingo in the United Kingdom and Australia
In the U.K. Bingo is played mainly in large halls with cash prizes, the larger commercial concerns are linked up with other halls during one particular game in the evening and large cash sums can be won on these.
It is also played in nearly every seaside town in the U.K. on screens in front of the player who pulls a slide across to cover the number called, but, presumably because of our gambling laws, there are no cash prizes, just various items like cuddly toys.
The other times Bingo is played, again for prizes, not cash, is in a myriad of local halls or schools around the country, usually as a fund raiser for various concerns like an old people’s Day Centre. Here the prizes are donated by shopkeepers and businesses in the town and surrounding area and the atmosphere at these Bingo games is usually very relaxed and a fun evening out where everyone is welcome, even children.
The prizes vary for these games but on average a prize for any one line is worth about £1.00 - £2.50 (depending on who is organising the bingo evening), any 2 lines would be worth about £2 - £5 and a full house (all the numbers on a card) worth £5 - £10. They could be boxes of chocolates, bottles of wine, a grocery hamper, a voucher from a local butcher for meat or a cream tea for two at a local tea-shop or even 2 free passes to a swimming pool. Anything really.
U.K. (and Australian) bingo cards have three lines and nine columns (see picture above) and usually come in 'Books'; single or multiple. A single book would contain ten 10 pages (10 cards) each of a different colour: Gold, Lime, Violet, Yellow, Pink, Grey, Orange, Blue, Red and White.
A multiple book has 6 single books. Each page in a multiple book has 6 cards of the same colour. The 6 cards on a page are joined with perforated edges and can be pulled apart. Experienced players will play all 6 books and inexperienced players or young children may only play 1 book, or even a single card.
As well as books, there are also single sheets of bingo cards sold with the 6 sections on (six cards) and these are called 'Flyers'. Again you can buy just one section or 6 to suit your pocket or your experience. The flyers cost more per game than on the books but the prizes are usually worth a bit more.
In the large towns and cities Bingo is fairly 'big business' and people play in deadly earnest, hoping to win that elusive jackpot. In small towns and villages it’s much more of a social occasion with amateur callers and a lot lighter atmosphere.
Australia uses the same bingo cards as in the U.K. In Sydney and Melbourne the callers are incredibly fast. In Perth they call a lot slower.
Number calling
The numbers are announced quickly by the Caller, so you must pay careful attention to the numbers that are called and mark them quickly and accurately on your card(s).
The caller keeps calling numbers until one or more players claim BINGO. Then the game stops and the numbers are verified. If there is a winner, the prize is awarded and a new bingo game begins with new cards. If there is more than one winner, the prize is split among all the winners.
In Las Vegas many variations including Letter X, Six Pack and Coverall Bingo are offered. Additionally, some places offer special progressive payouts as high as $10,000.
Electronic Bingo
Photo (right) courtesy Lancaster Bingo Company
Computers are changing the way we play the bingo game in bingo halls. In the past few years many bingo players have moved to portable, handheld bingo computers or devices that allow them to play multiple cards at the same time with ease.
Electronic bingo devices have a tracking mechanism so players will never miss a bingo, even if they are playing multiple cards.
Players using these devices simply listen for the caller to call the next number and then punch the corresponding key on the machine. The computer automatically scans the electronic bingo cards to see if the number called is there and marks it for all the cards that have that number.
If one of the cards gets a bingo, the player will know and it is up to him or her to alert the caller by shouting BINGO.
Different types of electronic bingo devices are available. One of the more advanced systems features a colour screen showing several bingo cards at a time and with sound effects.
Some handheld devices can hold up to 200 bingo cards per game. However, certain bingo halls may limit the number of cards that can be played at one time.
Online Bingo
When playing online, your bingo cards are randomly selected for you. Most online games give you 3 or 4 cards. Other games let you take more.
Every online bingo game has a caller or a display board for the bingo numbers. The game pattern is also displayed. Some games automatically mark the numbers on your card for you.
Double Action Bingo Rules
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The world of bingo enjoys a language all its own! Below is a list of some common bingo terms. If we are missing your favorite bingo lingo, please contact us and let us know!
A B C D E F H I J L M N O P R S T U V W
A
Admission Packet
An admission packet is the minimum number of cards that must be purchased to take part in the game. Six to twelve cards usually comprise the admission packet for every regular, and sometimes special, game. The content and price of an admission packet varies by bingo hall.
B
Bingo
Bingo is a specific game of chance in which participants use cards or paper sheets, or card-minding device representations thereof, divided into horizontal and vertical spaces. Each space is designated by a letter and a number, and prizes are awarded on the basis of the letters and numbers on the card conforming to a pre-determined and pre-announced configuration of letters and numbers selected at random.
Bingo Ball
A bingo ball is a ball imprinted with numbers and letters that is used in the selection process of a bingo game.
Bingo Board
A bingo board is display board, usually electronic, that lights up. It shows each number as it is called.
Bingo Event Game
A bingo event game means a type of pull-tab game, with or without a seal card, that is designed by the manufacturer so that certain prizes are determined by the draw of a bingo ball.
Bingo Machine
A bingo machine is a type of selection device with a receptacle for the unselected bingo balls, a blower for selecting the balls and a ball tray that contains seventy-five holes in which to place the ball once it is called.
Bingo Paper Pack or Bingo Booklet
A bingo paper pack or bingo booklet means a specific group of different colored, numbered bingo paper sheets that are manufactured and collated together all containing the same number of faces (ON's) to be played for each game at a bingo session. They are bound in the order in which they will be played.
Blackout
Blackout is a bingo pattern where you must cover the whole card to win. Usually, 50 to 60 of the 75 bingo numbers have to be called to cover all the numbers on a card, but blackouts in as few as 43 numbers have been recorded. Blackout is the same as coverall.
Blower
A blower is a forced-air device that mixes the bingo balls and dispenses them to the caller, who announces the number and displays it on a bingo board.
Bonanza Bingo
Bonanza bingo is a progressive coverall jackpot that is usually played as the 13th game of the session. Forty-five numbers are drawn before the session and players mark them on separate cards and set aside. There is an additional fee to play this game, usually $1. The countdown for a bonanza game begins at 48 numbers or less and goes up one number per week to 52 numbers or until won. The amount of the jackpot is determined by card sales for that game.
Break Open
A break open is a multiply card, made completely from paper or paper products, with perforated break open tab or tabs. Break open is another name for a pull tab or an instant bingo ticket.
Buy-In
A buy-in is buying bingo cards or an admission packet (see above).
C
Caller
A caller is the person (or machine) who calls out the bingo numbers for the players.
Card
A card contains 24 numbered spaces and one free space (blank or it will have a number or the words “Free Space”), with which you play BINGO. The numbers are assigned at random on each card and are arranged in five columns of five numbers each by five rows (5 x 5 = 25 in total, which includes the blank square). The numbers in the B column are between 1 and 15, in the I column between 16 and 30, in the N column (containing four numbers and the free space) between 31 and 45, in the G column between 46 and 60, and in the O column between 61 and 75. Players have thousands of unique (unduplicated) cards to choose from. Most bingo cards used today are disposable and printed on newsprint type of paper. Hard cards are available but are not commonly used today.
Card Minding Device
A card minding device is any mechanical, electronic, electromechanical or computerized device that interfaces with or is connected to equipment used to conduct a game of bingo. It allows a player to store, display and mark a bingo card face.
Charitable Organization
A charitable organization is any religious, benevolent, educational, fraternal, veterans, service, non-profit medical, volunteer rescue, volunteer fire, senior citizen or youth athletic organization that is exempt from the payment of federal income tax under Section 501(a) and listed in Section 501c3, c4, c8, c10 or c19 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Coin board/Merchandise Board
A coin board/merchandise board is a game board that contains coins or merchandise as prizes and is played in conjunction with instant bingo or pull tab tickets. In addition to instant cash winners, the pull tab tickets may designate a winner on the coin or merchandise board. The prize associated with that number is awarded to the ticket holder.
Consolation Prize
A consolation prize is the prize or prizes offered on some special games if there is no winner in a predetermined number of calls.
Coverall
A coverall is a pattern where you must cover the whole card to win. Usually 50 to 60 of the 75 bingo numbers have to be called to cover all the numbers on a card. But coveralls in as few as 43 numbers have been recorded. A coverall is the same as a blackout.
Cut
A cut indicates the direction in which a sheet of bingo faces will be cut from the master sheet. Cuts can be square, horizontal or vertical.
D
Dauber
A bingo dauber is an ink-filled bottle/pen with a foam tip on it used to mark called numbers. When you touch the bingo card with the foam tip, it marks the square. Other names for daubers are dabbers, ink makers and dab-o-ink.
Deal
A deal means each separate game or series of pull tabs that has the same serial number.
E
Early Bird Game
An early bird bingo game is a bingo game that starts before another regularly scheduled game.
F
Face
Double Bingo Rules 118
A face is the individual bingo sheet containing 24 numbers and the free space in the middle.
Flare Card
A flare card is a card or poster included with each deal of instant bingo or pull tab tickets. A flare card will include the name of the game, the form number, the serial number of the game and the cost per ticket or per play. The flare also explains how to play the game and what the winning symbols and associated prizes are.
Flash Board
A flash board, like a bingo board or display board, means a board that displays the bingo numbers called.
Free Space
A free space is the center square of the card, which does not have a number assigned to it. It's like a Joker or a wild square. You get it free every game and it counts towards your winning pattern.
H
Hard Card
A hard card is a reusable card bearing a bingo face or faces.
Hard-Way Bingo
A hard-way bingo is a bingo pattern in a straight line without the use of the free space.
I
Instants
Instants are pull-tabs that pay the prizes immediately.
J
Jackpot
A jackpot is a big prize usually awarded for achieving a difficult pattern (such as a blackout) within a specified number of balls.
L
Lucky Jar, Cookie Jar
The Lucky Jar or Cookie Jar is a container with cash. You win the contents of the lucky jar if you say bingo on the lucky number. The lucky number is usually the first number called at the beginning of a session. Money is added to the jar every time the lucky number is called or if the caller makes a mistake in announcing the game. Usually you can win the lucky jar only on regular games. There is no lucky number during special throw-away games.
M
Minimum Buy-In
The minimum buy-in is the least amount you must spend to be eligible for prizes.
Money Ball
A money ball is a number drawn before the game that will double a player's winnings if bingo is hit on that number.
Moonlight Bingo
Moonlight bingo is a session of bingo that starts late at night, usually about 10 p.m.
Multiple Winners
Multiple winners are when two or more players bingo at the same time. When this happens, the cash prize is divided among them. For example, if there are five winners on a $500 game, they each receive $100.
N
Nicknames
Using nicknames is a way of announcing or repeating the bingo number drawn in a humorous way. In a crowded, noisy room, it also helps to confirm the number called. Bingo play using nicknames persisted in British bingo halls until faster computer draws replaced air-blown balls.
O
Ons
Ons refers to the number of bingo faces per sheet. A 6 ON would have 6 faces per sheet.
P
Pattern
A pattern is the shape you need to cover on your card with called out numbers. You only need the numbers that form the pattern to win the game. The most basic patterns are straight lines in a horizontal, vertical or diagonal direction. One popular pattern is the 'blackout' or 'coverall,' where you have to cover the whole card to win.
Payout
The payout is the percentage of sales paid out by the house. This compares with a payout of approximately 45 percent on state lottery games.
Postage Stamp Pattern
A postage stamp pattern is matching four numbers to form a postage stamp (a 2 x 2 grid) in any of the four corners.
Progressive Game
A progressive game is a seal card game with a designated jackpot that, if not won, is carried forward and added to the jackpot of the subsequent deals of the game until the jackpot is won.
Progressive Jackpot
A progressive jackpot is a jackpot that gets bigger until it is won. It builds daily, weekly or monthly if it is not won in a specific number of calls. If there is no winner in X number of calls, consolation prize(s) of lesser dollar amounts are paid. Different variations of progressive games add dollars, numbers or both to the jackpot. There is usually a separate buy-in for progressive jackpot games.
Pull Tab
A pull-tab is a game of chance using a folded or banded paper ticket, or a paper card with perforated break open tabs. The face of the pull-tab is covered or otherwise hidden from view to conceal a number, letter, symbol or set of numbers, letters or symbols, some of which have been designated in advance as prize winners. These shall include tickets that utilize a seal card. Pull-tabs are commonly known as tickets, break opens or charity game tickets.
R
Raffle
A raffle is a game of chance in which a participant is required to purchase a ticket for a chance to win a prize, with the winner to be determined by a random drawing.
S
Seal Card
A seal card is a board or placard used in conjunction with charity game tickets that contains a seal or seals which, when removed or opened, reveal pre-designated winning numbers, letters or symbols.
Seal cards can also be pull-tabs that include instant winners, but further the chance to win through utilizing “holders.” Holders are generally red 00’s or 13’s. Once the box of tickets is completely sold, the game operator opens the seal(s). The person(s) holding the number that appears under the seal will win the indicated prize.
Series
A series indicates the number of unique faces that a single set will contain. For example: a 9000 SERIES has 9000 unique faces.
Session
A session is an entire evening or daytime program of bingo consisting of regular games usually played on hard cards and special games played on throwaways, flimsies or paper sheets. A session usually lasts somewhere between two and a half hours and three hours and 15 minutes.
Set
A set refers to the 9000 bingo faces in bingo paper numbered in sequence and are all one color.
Six-pack, Nine-pack
A six- or nine-pack means that there are six or nine numbers in a block on one card.
Special
A special is a game that usually is played with a different set of cards than the pack purchased at admission.
Speed Bingo
Speed bingo is a variation of regular bingo. Numbers are called very quickly and you can bingo in as few as three numbers. Speed bingo is usually played before or after a regular session.
Speed Game
A speed game is a bingo game in which the winner splits the sales of the game (the pot) with the bingo hall or house. For example, the winner might get 60 percent of the sales and the house would keep forty percent. A speed game can also be played as a coverall with quickly called bingo balls.
Split Pot
A split pot is a bingo game in which the winner splits the sales of the game (the pot) with the bingo hall or house. For example, the winner might get 60 percent of the sales and the house would keep forty percent.
T
Tab Wizard
The Tab Wizard is a point of sale system that assists operators with their pull tab management. The Tab Wizard is the number one selling pull tab point of sale system in the country.
Throwaways
Throwaways are bingo cards printed on thin sheets of paper. There are usually three cards printed on a single sheet but flimsies are also printed in one, two, four, six or nine-card formats. Typically, a flimsy sheet costs one or two dollars and a win on a flimsy on a special game usually pays quite a bit more than a win on a regular game.
Turbo
A turbo is an electronic dauber system used to play multiple packs at once. The unit is very user-friendly and allows a player to play more cards electronically while daubing on his or her paper packet.
U
Ups
Ups refers to the number of sheets that are used to make your bingo book. For example, a 6 UP indicates that the book has six sheets of bingo paper.
V
Validation
Triple Bingo Rules
Validation is the eligibility required to win additional jackpot amounts. The price varies by number of cards played.
W
Wild Number
The wild number is the number played on a double bingo that leads into a triple bingo. The first number out of the hopper determines the wild number. For example, if 42 is drawn, all numbers ending in 2 should be marked off.
Bingo Rules Printable
Wrap Up
The wrap up is the name of the last game of a session.