The rules of bingo are easy to master. Even though gambling games are designed to be accessible and entertaining for players of all skill levels, there are certain rule sets that are more complicated than others.
For example, craps is harder to grasp than slots. On the spectrum of simplicity, bingo sits alongside the easiest casino games to master. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the fundamentals and all the bingo rules you need to get the most out of our top offerings.
Bingo rules may differ from variant to variant. For example, 90 ball games will flow in a slightly different way to 75 ball games. However, at the heart of all variants, there are certain standards. To help you walk the right line, here’s a step-by-step guide to the bingo rules you need to know:
Perhaps the most important part of any bingo strategy is game selection. If you’re inside a bricks and mortar venue, your two main options will be 90 ball and 75 ball bingo. However, when you’re playing online at Paddy Power Bingo, there’s a lot more to choose from.
90 ball and 75 ball are the most popular variants, but we also offer 80 ball games. For many of these variants, there are a number of formats. From classic and turbo to progressive jackpot games, our bingo lobby is extremely diverse.
We also offer modern online bingo variants such as Cash Cubes, Housey Bingo and Rainbow Riches Bingo. These games bring something different to the party. Therefore, if you want to get the most out of your time online, you need to select the right game.
The next bingo rule you need to know involves money. As with all casino games, you should never spend more than you can afford. Try setting a budget before you buy a game card. Once you know the amount you can afford to spend, buy at least one game card. If you want to purchase more, you can; but this is optional.
When you’ve chosen a game and bought a game card/s, the next thing you have to do is wait. As the numbers are being called, you can mark them on your game card if you’re playing inside a bricks and mortar venue. However, if you’re playing bingo online, our software will do that for you.
So, what are you waiting for? Well, as per the rules of bingo, the winner is someone that crosses off a certain amount of numbers before anyone else. Although there are subtle variations to these bingo rules, that’s the main way games run.
In a land-based setting, you’ll have to shout if you make a line or full house, according to social club bingo rules. However, if you’re playing online, you can let our software take control. If you hit the required amount of numbers before anyone else, the action will stop and you’ll win a prize.
The final step in the process is to collect any winnings you’re owed. If you win a prize online at Paddy Power, the money will be credited to your balance automatically.
Alongside the fundamental mechanics of a game, there are certain standards present in all bingo settings.
Bingo is a social game and, although it’s not written in the rules, you should do your best to contribute to this ethos. Don’t abuse other players, don’t make false calls or hold up the action unnecessarily, and always try to celebrate the success of another player. Above all else, have fun.
Online bingo rules are identical to those used offline. Therefore, if you understand the rules of bingo in one setting, you’ll understand them in another. In fact, when you play online, almost all the important aspects of a game are handled for you. This means it’s actually easier to play bingo online
Players win a prize when they cross off a specified amount of numbers. For example, if you’re playing 90 ball bingo, you need to cross off five numbers in a line before anyone else to win a prize. After that, the player/s who crosses off 10 numbers (two lines) and then all 15 will win a prize. It’s important to note that 90 ball bingo rules do vary slightly to other variants in that you may have to hit more or less numbers to win a prize.
In general, there are two/three main prizes in a game of bingo. The first prize is awarded to the player who makes a line before anyone else and it’s a small percentage of the prizepool (approx. 15%). The main prize in most online bingo games is worth approximately 50% of the total prizepool.
Online bingo games offer automatic features. This means you simply have to buy a game card and wait. In practice, the main decisions you have to make involve the type of game you’re going to play and how many cards you want to purchase.
The terms and conditions for bingo promotions will vary. However, in general, you’ll have to complete a certain task to receive a reward. For example, if it’s a deposit bonus, you’ll have to deposit a minimum amount to trigger the bonus. If it’s a BOGOF deal, you’ll have to buy one bingo card to get another for free.
As well as the pre-reward conditions, there may be post-reward conditions. For example, if you received some free credits, you may have to bet a certain amount before they’re converted to real money.
90 ball bingo rules follow the guidelines we’ve outlined so far. In terms of specifics, a game card features five numbers between one and 90 and you can win by making a line, two lines and/or a full house.
80 ball bingo rules are based on a 4X4 game card that features 16 numbers between one and 80. There are four main types of 80 ball bingo online:
· Any Line Wins – You win if you make any line i.e. horizontal, vertical, diagonal, all four corners or all four middle squares.
· Any Line, House – Players win by making a line and then a full house.
· Any Line, Column, House - Players win by making a line, then two vertical lines (columns), then three vertical lines, and then a full house.
· Full House or Pattern – Players win by making a full house or pre-set pattern.
75 ball bingo rules are based on 5X5 game cards that have the letters B-I-N-G-O across the top. Numbers range from one to 75 and are marked in the following way:
· B column = random numbers from one to 15.
· I column = random numbers from 16 to 30.
· N column = random numbers from 31 to 45 with one black space in the centre.
· G column = random numbers from 46 to 60.
· O column = random numbers from 61 to 75.
The aim of the game is to cross off numbers in a pre-set pattern. As per the rules of bingo in this context, there are more than 300 established 75 ball bingo patterns.
To play live or online bingo in the UK, you have to be 18 or older.
90 ball bingo is also known as British bingo. As such, UK bingo rules are those attached to 90 ball variants. In short, this means there will be 15 numbers on a game card and three prizes up for grabs.
Like bingo UK rules, Irish bingo games are fairly free flowing. Again, 90 ball bingo is the dominant variant in Ireland, which means prizes are paid to the first player/s to make a line, two lines and a full house.
Yes. Under UK gaming laws, you have to be at least 18 years old and a registered member of Paddy Power Bingo to play online for real money prizes. If you'd like to find out how to compare the best bingo sites, read more in our dedicated article.
Regular bingo is defined as any game that follows a traditional format. For example, 90 ball bingo rules would be described as “regular”, whereas an online innovation such as Cash Cubes would be seen as non-regular.
No. Every game at Paddy Power Bingo is powered by a random number generator (RNG). These programs ensure everything is 100% fair and random. Moreover, all RNGs must be tested and certified as fair by third-party agencies.
When you play online, no. The rules of bingo are hard to break simply because a lot of the action takes care of itself. However, when you play online, the software is designed in such a way that you can’t go wrong or break any rules.
In a live bingo setting, it may be possible to cheat. However, when you play online at Paddy Power Bingo, you won’t be able to dupe the system and neither will anyone around you.
As per the rules of bingo, HOUSE is a term that’s called when someone crosses off all the numbers on their game card - i.e. they’ve made a full house.
Any game where money is involved and the result is random can be considered a form of gambling. Therefore, because the result of any bingo game is random, it can be classed as gambling.
Bingo jackpot rules will differ depending on the game you’re playing. In general, you need to make a full house to win the top prize. However, for certain progressive jackpots, you have to make a full house within a certain number of calls.
If you want to have some fun with bingo, read or article about bingo sayings and quotes, or our article about bingo calls and nicknames.
Test your skills and see what bingo variants we have to offer by logging into Paddy Power Bingo today.