A beginner’s guide to bingo: Everything you need to know
In the advent of online casino gaming, bingo continues to grow in popularity and demand as the years pass by. This can be attributed to the popularity of online gambling platforms and the technology it uses.
With an internet connection and a device, players can enjoy the full capabilities of a bingo game within arm’s reach. There is no longer the need to go to a bingo hall to win some money. The same principles and rules of traditional bingo remain.
A majority of the player base prefers playing bingo on online sites such as the Bitcasino live casino as well.
If you are new to bingo, it can easily be an intimidating experience with so many factors to keep in mind. To help you adjust accordingly, we have prepared a beginner’s guide of everything you need to know when playing bingo.
What is bingo?
Bingo is a game played with cards that contain rows and columns of numbered squares. During a game, a caller will be drawing balls with numbers on them. Your main objective is to complete a predetermined pattern on your card according to the balls that have been drawn. There are different types of bingo patterns such as the full house, straight line, and many more that involve specific shapes.
In traditional bingo, the numbers are drawn randomly from a container or a mechanical ball machine, and the caller announces them to the players. However, modern versions of bingo can also be played online, with a computer program generating the numbers and the cards being displayed on a screen.
The game has a long history and has evolved, but its basic principles have remained the same: players try to be the first to complete a pattern on their card by marking off the called numbers.
History of bingo
The early variation of bingo can be traced back to Italy. Its concept originates from the Italian game ‘Il Gioco del Lotto d’Italia’. This version of the game involved players marking numbers off their cards as they were called out.
However, the game bingo we know today was created by Edwin S. Lowe from Long Island. The toy salesman developed the game which was first played at a carnival. Then known as ‘Beano’, players marked off numbers on their cards with beans, hence the name. Lowe brought the game back to his friends in New York, who played it enthusiastically.
The term ‘Bingo!’ was coined as it stuck when one of his guests during a test run shouted that instead of Beano. From there, Lowe saw the potential of the game and continued to develop it. The game quickly gained attention and popularity as it was introduced throughout America back in 1930.
From there the game only became more popular. It was introduced to the United Kingdom which named it ‘housey-housey’, as well as to the rest of the world.
How to play online bingo
Playing online bingo is easy! It follows similar mechanics popularised in its original version. Here is a step-by-step guide you can use in your upcoming games:
- Buy your tickets: The first step of playing is to buy your tickets/cards. Most online bingo games will have the tickets available at the game lobby for purchase before you enter a round.
- Mark your bingo cards: The game starts as soon as the first number is announced. If available, the autoplay feature found in most bingo games will automatically mark the numbers of your card when it is called.
- The game continues: Bingo games can last a while. The caller will continue to draw balls until one player calls out bingo. Most online bingo games will highlight your card that is close to winning.
- Call bingo: If you are able to mark off all the numbers in a row, horizontally, diagonally, or vertically, call out ‘Bingo!’ to win the game.
What are the different types of bingo?
When playing bingo, there are different types and variations of the game available to choose from. Depending on your preferences, these types vary in the number of numbers found on each card as well as the amount of numbers called. Here are some types you can play:
30 ball
This type of bingo is also known as ‘speed bingo’ due to the number of balls drawn and the layout of the card. In this version of the game, it is played with a 3×3 grid card and 30 balls. This is the perfect version of the game for players who are looking for the thrill of bingo without a long commitment. Players will only need to mark off nine numbers to complete their card and win.
75 ball
Another type of bingo is 75 ball. The difference between this version and the first one mentioned is that, instead of having 30 numbers, there are 75. The card for this game will have a 5×5 grid with each letter of the word BINGO written on each column. In 75 ball bingo, there are three common types of patterns used. This includes X, Double Line, and Blackout.
80 ball
In comparison to 75-ball, 80-ball bingo plays at a faster rate with more winning possibilities. This is because it is played on a 4×4 grid card. With 80 balls used, this type of bingo is recognised to be a popular version of the game. Similar to the other versions of the game, players have to complete a pattern according to the balls announced by the caller.
90 ball
Last on the list is 90 ball bingo. This version of the game follows a unique 3×9 grid on its cards. There are nine to ten numbers in each column. Many enjoy playing this variant because of the chance to win multiple prizes in a single game.
For this reason, it has become a popular option for UK players in online casinos. When playing 90-ball bingo, three common types of patterns will win you the game. This includes one-line bingo, two-line bingo, and full house.
Winning tips to remember when playing bingo
Although a game of chance, there are winning tips you can try out when playing bingo. These tips won’t guarantee you instant victory but will help increase your chances of grabbing the big jackpot and winning. With this, here are some tips to remember when playing bingo:
Stick to your budget
Arguably the most important tip on the list, make sure to stick to the budget you allotted for the gaming session. Although it can be tempting to exceed this limit, sticking to your budget will remove the chances of losing the money you were not meant to spend. With this, also make sure not to chase losses. Don’t buy more tickets or cards just to make up for lost rounds.
Take advantage of casino bonuses
Casino bonuses are usually associated with slot games, they can also be used in bingo games. Bingo players can also take advantage of these bonuses to increase their chances of winning and extend their gameplay.
The free spins bonus, which is commonly used in Bitcasino slots, is one popular kind of casino bonus. Bingo players can utilise any earnings from the free spins to pay for their bingo playtime even if they might not be able to use these spins directly on bingo games.
Pay attention
Paying attention in bingo games is a crucial aspect that can affect your chance of winning. Failing to pay attention can result in possible losses. Though some titles offer auto-tracking, it is still best to give the game your full attention especially if you are playing with multiple tickets.
Play with multiple tickets
If you want to increase your odds of winning a bingo game, you can opt to purchase multiple tickets. Though it will require a higher level of attention and focus, it will pay off big once you win a game. By playing with multiple cards, players have more opportunities to hit a winning combination, and they can cover a larger portion of the number grid.
Don’t play during peak hours
Another tip you can consider is not to play during peak hours. Observe the time when gamblers play the least and try playing during that time. This is because if you are playing against more players, your odds of winning are lessened. Make the effort of adjusting your schedule to have better chances of grabbing the win.
Try online bingo at Bitcasino!
If you are looking for a fun and thrilling way to win big prizes and payouts, Bingo is a great game to play. Many enjoy it because it is easy to play. To increase your chances, make sure to employ the tips and tricks you just learned here. This will make sure that you have a great time playing bingo long term.