Bingo! How to Play the UK’s Favourite Traditional Game
Bingo has been a staple form of gaming and gambling since the 1500s and started out with a focus on the Italian lottery. In today’s modern gaming circles, you can find a variety of bingo games from online casinos where you can play for free or for real money. This bingo guide will help you understand the basics of this UK favourite game and assist you in finding the perfect online bingo platform.
From Beano to Bingo: History and Current Popularity
UK bingo is known to have had its roots in Italy in the 16th century and can particularly be traced back to 1540. Bingo, once known as Beano, was formed around the Italian lottery and spread through France, where it was known as Le Lotto. After the popularity arose with the French aristocracy, Great Britain got its share of bingo’s popularity in the 18th century. Its historical importance in traditional gaming has only grown in popularity and is still enjoyed by UK gamblers and enthusiasts both online and at dedicated clubs.
Types of Bingo to Play Today
The most popular types of bingo in the world today include 90-ball bingo, 75-ball bingo, human bingo, and more. Find a quick overview of the most popular bingo games below.
90 Ball Bingo
By far the most popular type of bingo, and is considered to be the British variation of the game.
How to play 90-ball bingo? Simply mark down the numbers that are called out on the 3-row, 9-column scorecard.
75 Ball Bingo
Considered the US version of bingo, 75-ball bingo is played with a faster pace and could have the potential for more scorecards to each player.
How to play 75-ball bingo? Mark down the numbers called out on your 5-row 5- 5-column scorecard and try to get a winning streak of numbers either diagonally, horizontally, or vertically.
Irish Bingo
Irish Bingo can be distinguished as 90-ball bingo with a twist. This game has 90 balls with four-leafed clovers or other traditional Irish elements (in rare occasion numbers). Usually, only three rounds are present throughout the game and are played mostly the same as how to play bingo with numbers.
How to play Irish bingo? Sometimes, the objective of the game may change opposites by requiring players to be among the last players to get numbered rows instead of the first. Look up the rules of the particular Irish bingo game you are playing.
Human Bingo
Human Bingo is an interactive form of bingo where players are required to form scorecard patterns of personal human questions.
How to play human bingo? As the game progresses, each player needs to ask other players questions to determine if they match the marked questions on the scorecard. For example, if the scorecard has a block that reads “person that can whistle”, you need to ask participating players whether they can whistle and mark it down once you find the matching player.
How to Play Bingo for Money Online
If you are looking to enhance your bingo experience through the chance of winning real money prizes, you can either visit ground-based casinos or online casinos. Online casinos generally have more variety and may have live variations with chat rooms available. Furthermore, online casinos present bonus offers for bingo games, which may be more attractive in terms of winning chances and entertainment. How old do you have to be to play bingo for real money? In the UK, you are required to be 18 years of age or older to play for real money.
Bingo Rules Guide: Get to Know the Most Vital Rules in Bingo
While bingo may seem simple, there is much to consider regarding rules and gameplay factors before getting started. By understanding the basic rules tied to bingo games, you can rest assured you have a fair chance of winning real money.
Number System
Bingo is played with numbers ranging between 1-75 or 1-90, depending on the variation you are playing. As the game progresses, each number is called out, while players must mark down the numbers mentioned on their bingo cards.
Scorecards
Even if you choose to play online, you will still have a (virtual) bingo card to mark your numbers on. The bingo card generally possesses a 5×5 grid of 25 numbered squares that are not in a particular order. Furthermore, you may choose to play with more than one bingo card if you want. By playing with more than one card in each round, you would ultimately have a greater chance at winning a round, yet it’s vital to play responsibly and not overreach your budget. There may, however, be a limit on the number of cards allowed to each participating player.
Daubing (Marking)
Daubing is explained as the act of marking the numbers that you have on your card when it is called out by the caller. Mark (daub) each number that is called out by the caller and hope to get 5 numbers in either a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal pattern. If a round goes by without any winning number patterns, the caller will once again spin the bingo wheel for the next number to be called out.
Calling a Bingo!
As mentioned above, you can call out bingo once you form a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal pattern of numbers that have all been daubed when called out. This will make you the round winner and require the game to start from scratch.
Bingo Rules Key Takeaways
- Each number is called out with a combination of a number and a letter, corresponding to the scorecard placement.
- Although there are up to 90 numbers that the caller could call out, only 25 numbers will be present on the bingo card.
- Number Combinations can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal.
- Multiple scorecards can be used for each round to create a greater chance of winning.
British, American, and Other Variations of Bingo
90-ball, 75-ball, Irish, and even human bingo, are all considered to be among the most popular types of bingo games in the UK and Europe. Most of these variations surround the same principles of marking down called numbers or symbols and marking them down, hoping for a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal match to form a line or pattern. The only variation taking a turn from this principle is human bingo; this variation requires players to communicate with fellow participating players to match their abilities to questions on the scorecard. With online real-money bingo games, the majority of tiles are based on the basic 75-ball and 90-ball variations that do not differ much.
How to Use Bingo Strategies for Greater Winning Chance
Already know how to play bingo games but want to advance your skills and odds of winning? The strategies discussed below will help you understand how to play casino bingo with a greater focus on gaining wins.
Play Live Bingo
Live Bingo games might have a higher risk factor of losing due to more players participating in the games, but they could also add more excitement and thrill to your overall experience. Furthermore, with the added benefit of being able to chat and communicate with fellow players when accessing live games, you can look forward to an immersive bingo gaming experience with a fair chance of winning. Live bingo rooms can be played on various Casino Legends-approved casinos; try our top 3 recommended live bingo games listed below.
Sunday Bingo Tournaments – Unibet The Arena 75 Arena – Unibet
The Arena 75 Arena – Unibet
Tropic Like Its Hot – MrQ Casino
Use More Than One Scorecard
By using more than one bingo scorecard, you have greater odds of striking a winning combination of numbers. This can, however, be confusing to new bingo players as you would need to keep track of all the cards you are playing on.
- Multiple scorecard playing tip – If you forget to mark a number on what turns out to be the winning card, you will lose out. Be sure to play enough cards to increase your chances, yet not too many to keep track of.
Real Money Bingo Gaming
Real money bingo games are available from most Casino Legends-approved casinos and provide a fair chance at winning real money prizes. If you are considering playing for real money, first opt for a free bingo game to learn the basics and get a feel for live and first-person variations. So, want to find out how to play bingo for money? Consider the options below.
The National Bingo Game
Are you looking for the ultimate real-money bingo game? The UK National Bingo Game stands as the perfect bingo game for players looking to stand a chance at winning big cash jackpots through simply playing bingo. Yet it is vital to remember that the National Bingo Game Association does not have an online site or app to join in on the fun. The only way to experience the National Bingo Game is by attending one of the many clubs scattered around the UK. Live variations where all clubs around the UK participate together in tournaments are also available for some clubs and provide a chance to win up to £25,000 in cash prizes.
Want to Strictly Play Online?
Bingo is evident all throughout the online universe; by signing up to any Casino Legends-approved casino, such as Unibet, MrQ, and All British Casino, you can compete in both live and video format (first person) titles. What makes online bingo games even more exciting with online casinos is the fact that you can choose between various themed titles, such as 75-ball and 90-ball bingo. In some cases, as with MrQ casino, you can also receive free bingo access by simply signing up.
Bingo: Pure Luck or Strategical Winning Chance?
As with most online casino games, bingo does have its roots set in chance, as you cannot predict the numbers that will be called out. However, bingo does provide a greater chance at winning if you are careful with your choice in bingo variations, the number of cards you play with, and more. By making simple changes to your gaming strategy, you could stand to win potentially large jackpots. Understanding game rules and having solid skills in pattern recognition may also provide you with the edge needed to be particularly good in bingo games. Although the outcome of the game is purely based on luck, you can enhance your chances by playing with more than one scorecard; carefully considering the number of balls vs blocks on the scorecard and the number of participants, you can enhance your overall winning chance. If you are looking for a game that is almost purely based on strategy, consider reading up on poker rules.
Past, Present, and Future: The Modern Bingo Craze
Bingo has been a part of gambling and popular gaming for nearly 500 years and has now garnered its newfound popularity through smartphone apps and mobile-optimised sites. With bingo games being available in both live variations with chat rooms and first-person titles, mobile gambling with bingo has become the perfect on-the-go classic for your mobile device. Want to know how to play online bingo at home? Simply visit a bingo-focused casino, app, or mobile site, create an account, and get started.
Top 3 UK Bingo Apps as Chosen by Casino Legends
All British Casino App
The All British Casino app presents players with a variety of Slingo games for a unique experience to play games that combine both slots and bingo. This app is available for download on Google Play Store and App Store.
Unibet Casino App
The Unibet Casino App presents UK players with much more than hundreds of slots, jackpot games, and live table games; you can also play various bingo tournaments. The app is available for download on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
MrQ Casino App
MrQ casino has long been considered to be among the top bingo platforms in the UK. With the release of the new MrQ Casino App, you can access any of the four bingo rooms and promotions without wagering requirements. The app is available for download on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Follow our Casino Guides for more details on finding your preferred bingo platform.
The Future of Bingo in Gambling
Whether you want to play free or real money games, bingo is available in many forms that will never lose interest among UK players. With the incorporation of bingo tournaments found on the best UK casino sites and mobile casino apps, the future of bingo in online gambling seems strong.
Bingo FAQ
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How long is bingo playtime duration?
Generally speaking, bingo games can last between 4-10 minutes. When considering the different types of bingo, particularly 75-ball (US) and 90-ball (UK), finishing the UK version may take longer as more players can strike a win through a US bingo game.
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Is bingo easy to play?
Yes. Although bingo games can be pretty thrilling, they are easy to play and simply require you to wait in angst to reach a winning combination. Bingo is the perfect game for beginners looking to get a feel for casino games and the concept of chance in gaming.
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Why is it called Bingo?
The game was first known as “beano”. Although it is unknown why the name was changed to Bingo, many players believe it could be due to the world resembling the sound of a bell that would be rung if a round was won.
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What is '69' in bingo?
69 in bingo is a complete set of nine numbers on the board. This is considered lingo for calling out a number to reveal a winning combination. The name anyway-up is also familiar with the number 60 as the number looks the same upside down as straight.
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How do word-based bingo games work?
Some online bingo variations (human bingo) may present the inclusion of sentences instead of numbers. A word-based bingo game will start with a player picking a question or sentence from the board. If another player has the same sentence or question, they can mark it off. Once a player has a row of up to 5 sentences, they yell out Bingo.
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Can you win real money with Bingo Fun?
The Bingo Fun app does not pay out any real money incentives for playing. If you are looking to have a chance at winning real money prizes, it is recommended to make use of an online casino site or app and play with real money. How to play for real money at home? Simply visit a real money online casino. You need to be at least 18 years of age or older to play for real money.