Bingo isn’t a complicated game to learn but there are many different versions available. This article will walk you through the different online bingo games that you can access from your operator, and a guide to the general rules will be provided.
At the end of the roundup, you will understand your options and will be confident when you purchase your tickets.
90-Ball Bingo is the most common of bingo games online and when you enter a digital room, it’s likely to be the default option. As the name suggests, there are 90 numbered balls in the draw.
When you purchase a ticket, it will be shown on a grid with nine rows and three columns. Each ticket is randomly allocated 15 numbers between 1-90 and these will be evenly split between those three columns.
The 90-ball version starts when the timer ticks down. Numbers will be drawn at random and you will hear the caller announce them. If a drawn number can be matched on your card, it will automatically be crossed off.
There are three ways to win when you play bingo games such as 90-ball. Firstly, if you match all five numbers on one line, you win a cash prize. If two lines are crossed off, you win, and a full house triggers the maximum prize. A full house occurs when all 15 numbers are matched.
You must complete a line, two lines or a full house before any other player. There can be ties and shared prizes if you match at the same time as anyone else.
90-Ball options can be found across online operators, but like all the bingo games to play, it’s more popular in certain parts of the world. In general, the 90-ball game is predominantly played in the UK and Europe.
Once again, the clue is in the name, and this version uses 75 numbers. Numbered balls from 1-75 are in the draw, and when you purchase your ticket, it will be set down on a grid with five rows and five columns. The centre space is ‘free’ and left blank.
When you purchase your online ticket or if you’re playing bingo games for free, you will be allocated 24 random numbers. The countdown timer ends and the game begins.
There are three ways to win, but these are slightly different to the 90-ball game. Firstly, you complete a line of five numbers. You can also win the top prize by claiming a full house.
The third way is by completing ‘patterns.’ These are specified before the game, and they might include two lines, or you could complete a diagonal or vertical line. The free centre space can help with the required patterns which will be described clearly before the game begins.
75-ball is one of the best bingo games to play if you are based in the USA and Canada. Like others, it can be accessed all over the world, but its biggest fanbase is in North America.
The rise of operators in the web means there are more types of free bingo games online to play. One of the newer variants is 80-ball and this involves 80 balls numbered from 1-80.
The grid is formed with four rows and four columns, and when you buy your ticket, it will look different from other games. This is because all 16 squares are filled with 16 random numbers. The game begins and numbers are called out.
The ways in which to win at 80-ball may vary between operators. It’s almost certain that you will win a cash prize if you are the first to complete a row or a column, and there should also be a top prize for a full house.
There will also be additional prizes for patterns. For example, you may win if you complete all four corners of your card. Whether staking with cash or playing free games bingo, the rules of each 80-ball version will be clearly shown before you play.
80-Ball is a relatively new concept, and it’s almost exclusively played online. It’s unlikely that you’ll find this among the bingo games to play in physical gaming rooms.
30 numbered balls are used in this version, and the tickets are laid down on a 3×3 grid. Nine numbers are allocated to each player, so your grid will be full.
The primary target in the 30-ball game is to cross off all of your numbers and land a full house. In most titles, this is the only prize on offer.
30-ball is the quickest of all bingo games UK. For this reason, it’s often referred to as ‘Speed Bingo.’
While we’ve covered the main options, many operators will release different types of bingo games. Some of these may be seasonal, so you could expect to see new releases appear around holidays such as Christmas.
With Halloween becoming more of a festival in the UK, there may be themed games across October.
Other tickets may require you to complete more specific patterns. You might, for example, need to complete a cross with two diagonal lines. Others play bingo games that have a combination of numbers and letters. To win a cash prize, you may have to complete a specified word such as CHRISTMAS.
As with all the best bingo games, when there is an unusual twist, the rules will be clearly explained before you start playing.
One of the more recent entries into online platforms is Slingo. This is a cross between slots and bingo games. If you play slots regularly, you may already be familiar with some of the titles used such as Starburst.
Gameplay will vary, but instead of a caller announcing numbers, the player will spin a set of reels. Most Slingo games are based on 75-ball bingo, so there will be a card with a 5×5 grid. The aim is to cross off numbers on the card, while looking to match symbols on one of the slot’s paylines.
Shotgun Bingo claims to be the fastest version of the game. It’s even quicker than the 30-ball variant, and it could all be over after one number.
With this title, players receive cards and the first person to match a number wins a prize. It’s not a widespread option online, but Shotgun is great fun, and it’s one of the best bingo games for playing with friends.
Another option to consider is Blackout Bingo. In this title, the aim is to cross out every single space on your card. There are no lines, and no patterns in this version. The simple rule is to finish the card and scoop the prize pot.
Each operator uses a range of different software providers. There are many producers available, and by using a range of companies, the platform can offer a wider choice of bingo games.
Playtech are one of the best-known names in the gaming industry. The company was founded in 1999 and they are one of the first choices for many top bingo brands. Playtech tend to focus on 90-ball and 75-ball bingo, but they also publish some variants. They provide unique, themed titles and will often be behind TV-based options such as Deal or No Deal.
One of the newer entries to the scene, Dragonfish are associated with themed games. These are exclusive titles that you won’t find anywhere else, and they have fun names such as ‘Ted’ and ‘Loony’.
They are an innovative game provider that is always looking to push boundaries and try new things.
This is another company with a long history in the game-producing industry. Gamesys were founded in 2001, and its established record makes it a respected brand and a top choice for big operators.
Gamesys offer a real mix of standard and unique bingo games. They are one of the busiest companies in terms of Slingo and progressive jackpot options.
Microgaming were developing titles since the online sector was in its infancy. They were founded in 1994, and once again, that longevity has built up trust which sees them included by most top operators.
They began with classic bingo games, and continue to publish regular options. Microgaming are also associated with themed titles, particularly TV and movies, including Game of Thrones and Lara Croft.
They’ve also been around for a long time, and if you’ve ever played online, you will have come across Pragmatic Play.
They are a good all-round provider with classic options, but they are best known for exclusive games. Pragmatic Play will often produce titles for specific brands such as Heart’s Heart and Soul game.
Every game has a prize fund, but it’s useful to establish how these work. For standard bingo games, the fund will depend on how many tickets are sold. The operator takes a small percentage of all stakes, and the rest is split between the players.
Progressive jackpot titles carry the biggest prize funds. With each ticket bought across participating operators, a small percentage is added to the jackpot prize fund. This sum continues to grow until the progressive jackpot is won.
The prices of tickets will depend on the game you are playing. There are titles from 1p, 2p and higher up to 10p and beyond. You may also be able to access free bingo games online.
In general, games with smaller ticket prices, have lower prize funds. Those with a higher entry point may have a bigger jackpot.
Bingo has always been a sociable game, and operators try to carry that through in online play. Most bingo sites have chat rooms where you can discuss gameplay and meet new friends. These rooms may also help to plug any gaps in your bingo knowledge.
Which Bingo Games Pay Out?
Standard games all have a prize fund, and it’s guaranteed that there will be at least one winner. Balls are drawn by a random number generator to ensure that all results are fair.
What Are Special Bingo Games?
This is a generic term that covers any games that are not standard bingo titles. These may include Slingo, Shotgun and Blackout.
Can Anyone Play Bingo Online?
As long as gambling is legal in your country of origin and you have met the minimum required age, you can play online free bingo games.