American & Canadian Bingo (75 ball) | Bingo in the UK (90 ball)

A BRIEF SUMMARY OF BINGO RULES

The game of Bingo is considered a game of chance in which randomly selected numbers are generated by a mechanical ball cage, bingo blowers, flashboards or electronic methods. Players try to match the randomly generated numbers on their cards and try to form a winning pattern or line. If a player is able to form such a pattern or line, he calls out the word "Bingo", to inform the caller and other players of the win. The card is then checked for accuracy before the "win" is official. If it is a legitimate win the prize is given and a new game begins. These are the basic rules of the game of Bingo. There are variations of bingo from country to country. Described below are the American and English versions of bingo.

American and Canadian Bingo

The cards can be reusable cardboard or non-reusable paper sheets. The cards are marked with plastic chips and the paper sheets are marked with daubers. The card is divided into 25 squares arranged in five rows, and five columns. Twenty four of the spaces have a number and the highest number is 75. The space in the center (three across and three down) is marked "Free" and is equal to being pre-marked. Above the number grid, are the letters "B-I-N-G-O". The numbers are called as: B9, N32, O62 etc. Each letter is at the head of a column. Each column has a designated range of numbers:

Column B, numbers 1 to 15
Column I, numbers 16 to 30
Column N, numbers 31 to 45
Column G, numbers 46 to 60
Column O, numbers 61 to 75

Some games have several bingos. For example after a player bingos on a solitary line, the game continues until a full card is called. Players often play multiple cards and up to 30 is not unusual. Bingo is also used as an instructional tool in schools for improving language and math skills.

Bingo is very popular in the United States. Commercial operations are usually run by casinos and Native American owned bingo halls. The game is also staged by churches and charity organizations. Their lawfulness and prizes may differ because of state laws and regulations.

Bingo in the United Kingdom

The bingo ticket contains twenty-seven squares arranged in three rows and nine columns. Each row contains five numbers and four blank spaces. The columns contain one, two and less likely three numbers. Each column has a designated range of numbers:

The game is presided over by a caller, who calls the numbers and validates the winning tickets. The caller announces the prize for the game before play begins. When play is ready to begin, the callers says "Eyes down". The numbers are randomly selected using an electronic Random Number Generator (NNG), or by drawing numbers from a sack or by using bingo balls in a random draw machine. Calling the numbers is done by saying "Both the fives, fifty five" or "Two & three... twenty three."

The winning combinations are a line, two lines and full house, which is three lines.

Line - A horizontal line of five numbers on the ticket
Two lines - Any two horizontal lines on the ticket, five numbers per line
Full House - Covering all fifteen numbers on the ticket

In the UK, it is common for a line game to be followed by a two line game and then a full house game. You must be alert while playing and call "Bingo" immediately, because if the caller starts the next number, your claim will be deemed invalid.

The same three row, nine column bingo ticket is used in Ireland, New Zealand and Australia.

Online Bingo

The online bingo player can find many web sites that offer 75 and 90 ball online bingo. Online bingo web sites try to make your playing experience like playing in a bingo hall.

Need bingo cards?

Do you need bingo cards for your next party, fund raising drive, for your club or for family fun? You can generate the number of bingo cards you need and print them out right here at Online Bingo Card. Just go to Print Bingo Cards to get started.

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