Bingo: How it Works

The game of Bingo is popular among people of all different ages. Small kids play Bingo at school and with their friends, grownups play Bingo in community centers and Bingo halls - the game is fun for all ages!

Most people are familiar with the rules of Bingo. However, if you don't already know how to play you¡¯ll find that Bingo is incredibly easy to learn. This game is played on numbered cards. Each card has a random selection of numbers printed on it and numbers are drawn at random and are called out. If a number that is drawn appears on your card you mark it off. If you are able to mark off all the numbers in a specific pattern on your card then you call out "Bingo!" and win a prize.

Depending upon where you are playing Bingo you will find different card layouts. In the United States the most popular form of Bingo is 75-Ball Bingo. In this game there are 75 numbers in total that can be drawn and each card contains 25 numbers at random. The card is printed in a grid with 5 columns and 5 rows. At the top of each column is a letter spelling out B-I-N-G-O. Number-letter combinations are called out, such as "B-5 or I-13" and players mark off their cards. Popular winning patterns include horizontal and vertical lines, an X shape, E shape, F shape, O shape, L shape, plus sign or full card.

In the UK 90-Ball Bingo is the most popular Bingo variation. In 90-Ball Bingo there are 90 numbers in total that can be drawn and each card has 15 random numbers on it. The 90-Ball Bingo card is made up of three rows and nine columns. Each of the rows has 5 random numbers and 4 blank spaces. Players mark off numbers as they are drawn and the first player to mark of a specific patterns wins. Common winning patterns include filling one full line, two full lines or the entire card, also known as a Full House.

Bingo games are played for fun all over the world. Play Bingo with friends, at school, in a Bingo Hall or have fun playing free Bingo on the Web!.