How to Play Bingo Online: The Ultimate Guide

Choosing between 90-ball, 75-ball, and Swedish bingo? Or are you still not sure how the differences between variants actually work in real life? Luckily, we’re here to help you sort through the different bingo games and find one that suits you. Our guide will help you learn how to play bingo online and show you how the best bingo games work. Read on and enjoy!

Bingo Components

Bingo is one of the most popular games among UK players. Some players still prefer to play the game in large bingo halls, but since the pandemic, many have turned to the game’s online version. However, regardless of how you choose to play this game, the rules remain the same.

 

Bingo is also one of the simplest games to play. Similar to other games of chance like keno and the lottery, bingo doesn’t require any specific playing skills. To play online bingo, you simply need a ticket or a bingo card with numbers. The game starts once the caller calls the first number. If one of your numbers is called, you need to mark it, unless your site offers an auto-fill feature. The winner is the player who first crosses all the numbers off their card.

Although it is really simple as it sounds, there are some things you should know before starting to play bingo.

Bingo Rooms

If you’ve already scrolled through any bingo site, you’ve probably come across something called a bingo room. This is a place where you can play various bingo games online (90-ball, 75-ball, and 30-ball bingo, etc.). Choosing a bingo room is the first thing you need to do before starting to play a bingo game.

Most bingo websites offer several rooms for each type of bingo. This is because each of these rooms has different prizes and is catering to different players. For example, if you’re a beginner, there might be a bingo room for beginners that will allow you to test a specific bingo variant and play for free for a limited time.

For regular players, bingo sites offer more rooms that feature online bingo games and prizes. Generally, bingo rooms with a huge number of players have bigger prizes. This is because sites use players’ deposits to fund prize pools. Popular sites have large communities of players and, logically, huge prize pools. The important thing to know for those learning how to play bingo is that they can also access prize pools from new sites, because some bingo sites collaborate and have shared rooms.

Bingo Schedule

When it comes to bingo, timing is everything. After all, bingo is a game that can involve hundreds of players in one single room. This is why the game needs to run to a fixed schedule.

Bingo sites are very transparent with their schedules, so there’s no need to worry about missing your game. What’s more, reputable bingo sites usually have games starting every three to five minutes, so you don’t need to wait too long to start playing online bingo.

Bingo Cards or Bingo Tickets

To enter a bingo room, you need to buy a bingo card or ticket. Some sites allow you to buy one ticket; others require a stripe of tickets. The beauty of the bingo games is that you can spend only a few pennies for tickets and participate in games with a prize pool worth lots of money.

Bingo cards look different depending on the specific game you play. For example, 90-ball bingo is played with 90 numbers (from 1 to 90) and multiple tickets. Each ticket has 15 numbers organized into three rows and nine columns. The first player who marks off all numbers on the card is the winner.

Bingo Numbers

A common question that beginners ask regular bingo players is: How do you play bingo to win? Some say they have lucky numbers or winning patterns, but the truth is that bingo is a game of chance. There is no such thing as numbers or patterns that are guaranteed to win. Bingo numbers are called randomly, so no one can know which number is going to be called next.

Most websites have an auto-daub feature that marks called numbers automatically, so you don’t need to worry if you missed a called number. This is an especially beneficial function if you’re playing with multiple cards.

Different Types of Bingo Games to Play

According to legend, bingo was founded in Italy in the 16th century. This original version of bingo evolved over the centuries, so today we have numerous bingo variants. Some of them, like 90-ball and 75-ball, have long been entrenched as classic bingo games. In our bingo players’ guide, we’ll discuss several of the most popular bingo games to play at reputable bingo sites.

75-Ball Bingo

While 90-ball bingo is the most popular version in the UK, Americans prefer playing 75-ball bingo. Regardless, the rules for playing both bingo versions are similar, so players can switch from one to another.

The five columns on 75-ball bingo cards are each headed by letter spelling B-I-N-G-O, and they come with predefined numbers. Each column has five numbers randomly selected. Starting from the B column, numbers are selected from 1 to 15, then the I column has numbers from 16 to 30, and so on.

To win the game, a player needs to mark a vertical, horizontal, or a diagonal line.

80-Ball Bingo

If you want to learn how to play online bingo, you can’t go past 80-ball bingo. As its name suggests, this is a bingo variant with 80 numbers played with multiple cards. You need to buy strips with five cards each.

Each card has four rows and four columns, and those columns have different colors: yellow, blue, red, or white.  Like 75-ball bingo, the game requires you to make a predefined pattern, but the numbers in the first column range from 1 to 20, the second column has numbers from 20 to 40, and so on.

Players need to mark a single line, multiple lines, four squares, or a full house to win a prize.

30-Ball Bingo

The bingo game rules for this game are simple and similar to 75-ball bingo. It’s one of the newest bingo variants that you can find on almost all online bingo sites. A 30-ball bingo ticket has three rows and three columns. The first column contains numbers from 1 to 10, the second has numbers from 11 to 20, and the third has numbers from 21 to 30. To win a game, the player must make the required pattern. This variant is also known as “speed bingo” and is extremely trendy among bingo players.

Swedish Bingo

Swedish bingo or five-line bingo is another popular bingo version. It’s played with 75 balls, so it’s similar to 75-ball bingo. You can play this bingo game online on some of the most popular bingo websites.

A Swedish bingo card has five rows and five columns, but unlike a 75-ball bingo card, this one doesn’t have a free square in the middle. Many regular 75-ball bingo players switch to a five-line bingo for a while to refresh their gameplay.

How to Play Bingo Online

Unlike slots, bingo games are not available on all casino sites, so you’ll first need to find a good online venue that allows you to play bingo games. For playing bingo, you’ll need to open a casino account and deposit money.

You can create an account quickly by providing your personal details. Most online casinos will ask you for your name, surname, and email, but some might ask for additional information. Before playing, you’ll need to choose a payment method. Like other players, bingo players prefer online casinos that offer fast and secure payments. If you don’t want to play with debit or credit cards, there are numerous casinos where you can play with your PayPal account.

Some casinos have a bingo lobby where you can find useful bingo tips for playing bingo games while waiting for the game to start. If you’re a first-time player, some casinos allow you to play a few free games so you can learn to play bingo or try different variants of the game. When choosing a bingo room, experienced players look for casinos that have shared rooms with a huge number of players, because these have bigger prize pools.

Leading bingo websites offer additional functionalities to improve your gaming experience. We’ve already mentioned the auto-daub feature for marking called numbers so you don’t need to worry if you miss a number. Some sites also allow automated purchases for pre-scheduled bingo games.

How Does Bingo Work on Mobile Phones?

To play bingo on mobile phones, you need to log in into your account, deposit money, and buy bingo tickets. If you don’t already have an account, you’ll need to set it up first. The process of creating an account from a mobile phone is the same as creating an account from a laptop or PC.

All reputable online casinos have mobile-optimized websites, but the best ones offer a native mobile platform for a better gaming experience. You can download a bingo app from Google Play or iTunes – depending on the device you use – and play mobile bingo wherever you are.

How to Win at Bingo

Unlike poker, Bingo is a game of chance, which means that there are no skills you can learn to improve your odds of winning a bingo game. There are no lucky numbers or bingo patterns that guarantee victory. However, there are some things you can do to get greater control over your game.

The more tickets you buy, the better your chances of winning any given game. Of course, that also means you’re spending more, but you’ll likely find bingo tickets to be affordable. Operators don’t put a limit on the number of tickets you can buy.

You should also follow some basic bingo rules to improve your chances of winning. Bingo is best known as a social game, meaning that there are a lot of other players to talk with. If you’ve ever played bingo in a bingo hall, you know how important it’s to concentrate during the game and avoid talking and laughing, as you can easily be distracted and miss the called number. The same rule works for online bingo, since there are chat rooms where you can talk with other players. If you choose to mark your numbers manually, you need to be extra focused.

You can also increase your chances of winning if you choose a bingo room with few players, typically during off-peak hours. However, in this case you’ll be playing for a smaller prize.

How to Call Bingo

After filling a ticket, a player must call “bingo!” Otherwise, he or she won’t win the prize. This is why you need to be focused during the game, especially if you’re playing in a bingo hall. For online bingo players, calling a bingo is much simpler, but also less exciting. Most websites automatically call bingo if you have a winning ticket.

FAQ

Can you really win money playing bingo online?

Yes, you can win money by playing bingo online. Simply find a reliable casino host that will definitely cash out your money if you win a game. The leading online casinos allow you to play bingo online and for the chance of winning millions of dollars.

Is playing bingo online illegal?

No, online bingo is not illegal, but each operator has a gambling policy that you should read before you start playing. For example, all reputable sites restrict gambling so that people under 18 can’t play. You also need to check whether the operator you choose is allowed in your country.

What is the best online bingo game?

It depends on what you like. In America, 90-ball bingo is the most popular bingo variant, while Britons and the rest of Europe prefer 75-ball bingo. You can read our how to play bingo online guide, which will inform you about different types of bingo games.