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What is Bingo and How Does it Work?

Bingo, formerly known as “Housey-Housey” by British players, is one of the most popular forms of low-spend gambling in the world. 

In the United Kingdom, there is an abandoned bingo hall in almost every town, marking a decades-old relationship between this lottery game and its enamoured British players. 

How do you play it?

Before a bingo game starts, players buy cards or tickets. These come with predefined sets of numbers arranged in a specific grid type based on the bingo variant. During the game, a caller or a computer draws random numbers and announces them to the players.

Players mark the called numbers on their tickets and race towards marking entire lines. 

An online bingo game usually takes under 10 minutes to complete, and there are usually three different prizes to be won. 

10 Reasons to Play Live Bingo in a UK Online Casino

This may surprise you, but the main reason why people worldwide sometimes choose to play a bingo game is that it’s free. 

Many brand-new UK online casinos offer access to this game of luck, either without a cost or for a minimal entrance fee.

Nonetheless, there are many other reasons why you can also play bingo for real funds, such as those listed below.

How to Play Bingo Online – Quick Guide for Beginners

Playing online bingo is an easy ride. It starts by crossing off the numbers on your ticket when they are called out. 

Depending on the type of bingo you are playing, the layout of the numbers on the ticket will differ.

However, when you play this game of luck online, the casino software always randomly chooses the cards. 

Now, a card is where the action takes place. They generally cost the same amount, and you can purchase multiple bingo cards for the same round. 

The main difference between playing in a live hall and online is that players will call out ‘BINGO’ if they have crossed off a line, two, or all numbers. Otherwise, it’s the casino software that detects any win automatically.

Assuming you’re a complete beginner without any previous knowledge of how to approach a game of bingo, here's a quick how-to guide:

Step 1 - Find a trusted bingo site.

Take a tour of our UK casino reviews to inquire which platform offers the best games, bonuses, and rooms. Once ready, sign up and open a player account.

Step 2 - Make a deposit and claim a bonus code.

Many operators offer various incentives to new British players after depositing, including promotional spins or an opportunity to claim a no-deposit deposit. Make sure to check the promotions page and the T&Cs once logged in. 

If the terms seem advantageous and you feel like you can complete the wagering requirements for the bonus, you can follow the instructions to claim it before jumping into the game. 

Step 3 - Get some tickets.

Once you’re a registered member of a bingo site, the first thing you need to do is get cards or tickets. For starters, you can get one or two cards to learn some basics. 

Later, if you want to increase the excitement and play with several patterns at once, you can get an extra ticket and double the fun.

Step 4 - Join a room.

Each network features themed lobbies with different price tickets, rules, prize pools, time to complete a game, and so on. This is where bingo gets quite interesting; the choices are vast as each room gathers like-minded people.

Step 5 - The game begins.

When you click BUY to join a game and the first number is called, your raffle has begun! In online bingo, the ball number will appear on the screen automatically, and your task is to locate it on the ticket.

Step 6 - Play bingo and win

Bingo games usually start every few minutes, so you don’t have to wait too long to play. You don’t even need to mark off your numbers as they are called. 

Thanks to the auto-daub feature, any numbers on your tickets will be automatically marked off. If you hit all the numbers, you’re the winner!

There you have it, a quick guide to bingo.

Online Bingo Rules

The first thing to remember when joining bingo games is that your numbers are always automatically marked for you. 

There are many variations of online raffles, so it's always a good idea to check how to play them. Luckily, the basic rules of bingo are often the same.

1. You determine how much a game costs, and it starts when the first ball is drawn. 
2. The draw is randomised, and if the numbers you have make a winning bingo pattern after this step, you and other players could become winners.
3. Once ready, follow the numbers on your card as they are drawn. You continue to play until you or another player fills the required pattern.
4. Once the winning card is verified, any winnings are paid, and the game ends. 
5. You can get more tickets for the next game or switch to a different room.

Bingo Payouts and Odds

If you haven’t figured it out yet, UK online bingo is a game with fixed odds. Each card purchased has an equal chance of winning. For example, if you buy ten online tickets, every one of them has the same odds of winning.

Now, payouts in bingo can vary and span from £500 to £500,000. Still, several factors affect the cashout, such as:

• ticket costs,
• guaranteed minimum amount,
• number of players and tickets in play,
• prize pool,
• jackpot limits.

Just like in the case of the lottery, a higher number of tickets means you’re more likely to become a winner.

Another important factor to consider when increasing your odds is the guaranteed jackpot amount. 

If the number of tickets per round multiplied by the cost of each card is less than the guaranteed prize, the payout on your spending will increase.

According to a probability table by ScienceNews.org,  there is a 50% chance that one card will require at most 41 calls to complete a bingo game.

On another note, there is a 90% chance to complete a bingo in, at most, 54 calls.

These odds can be calculated by dividing the number of cards you're playing by the total number of cards in play. For instance, if 100 cards are in play and you have 1 card, your chances of success are 1 in 100.

If you want to know some basic bingo probabilities, here’s a quick recap:

Long story short, the overall odds and probabilities of winning a bingo game depend on multiple factors. Each variant comes with different rules, payouts, odds, and statistics, further affecting the odds. Keep that in mind before joining a lobby.

Types of Online Bingo Games for UK Players

There are several types of online bingo real money, but the ones you will encounter the most are 75-ball bingo and 90-ball bingo. 

Depending on the network, you may even stumble upon 52-ball bingo and 30-ball bingo, so learning how to recognise them is very important.

Unlike live keno games, bingo has many variants. However, they are all played the same, meaning you get some tickets and mark off your numbers. You win if you cross off all the numbers of a specified pattern before another player.

These are some of the most played bingo games you will find:

CLASSIC

The most common type of bingo, which can be found in the UK, the United States, and Canada. Whether you’re a 75-ball or 90-ball games fan, you will find a 5x5 grid with a free space in the middle of a 9x3 grid with ten possible numbers in columns on the ticket, respectively.

There is always one winner in 75-ball bingo; in the other variant, you win when you match all numbers in a row. A player can even win more than one prize here.

Among the greatest benefits of playing 75-ball or 90-ball bingo is meeting new friends and having fun as you progress. 

SPEED BINGO

In case you like fast online bingo games, then the 30-ball variant could be your number one pick. Tickets for this version have a 3x3 grid without any letters or colours. There are three columns with numbers 1-10, 11-20, and 21-30.

To win this variant, you need to be the first one to get a coverall. It’s a bingo term for having every number on your ticket marked and called. 

You probably understand why 30-ball bingo is a huge hit in the UK. One game can end in minutes, enabling participants to collect prizes as high as 90-ball and 75-ball bingo!

LIVE BINGO

You can participate in live bingo by joining an online site or a hall. 

These events are quite fun and happen in real-time, allowing you to meet new roomies, opt in for chat games and have an experience as close as possible to the real thing! The only thing you need to do is sign up, deposit, and enter the lobby!

SLINGO

In recent years, playing online bingo has come down to adding interesting new game mechanics that combine raffles with slots. So, for example, in a typical Slingo game, players have a bingo ticket and a slot reel where the numbers are called!

Slingo with small reels usually gives you ten spins, while those with larger reels come with five spins. Once you mark the numbers on the ticket, you can buy additional spins to get more. The costs increase if you get close to getting every square marked on the ticket.

Some variants have wild symbols that let you cross out a number or pick a digit. Scatter symbols reward you with instant payouts if you match three or more of them. Other variants include themed bingo, branded games inspired by TV shows and quizzes, etc.

Starting Your Bingo Journey with a Bonus

Approaching a bingo game with a bonus is what many players want. Therefore, many operators pride themselves on their very own collection of bonuses.

Once you find a trusted bingo site, look for the following promotions:

• New player offer or welcome bonus: Just for becoming a funded member, most casino sites will offer you a bonus. You can use it on bingo or your other favourite online casino game.
• First deposit bonus: This incentive is awarded to any UK player who makes their first-ever deposit with the platform (if they choose to claim it). Many established online keno casinos with a rich bingo selection offer a decent amount of bonuses for a deposit as low as £5 or so.
• Match bonus: If you run out of luck but want to continue to play online bingo, topping up again could bring you another sum of bonus funds.
• Loyalty bonus: As you play bingo at your favourite online casino, you will most likely be rewarded for your loyalty. These programs are the golden standard in the UK, meaning you could get promotional cards, new tickets, and access to exclusive tournaments and monthly jackpots.

Play Bingo Online on Your Smartphone

In the last couple of years, the rapid development of smartphone technology has made all game variants, including live dealer casinos and bonuses, available on a mobile phone – Android and iOS. 

Not to mention mobile apps, giving you exclusive access to bingo, are optimised for Android and iPhone casinos to cover a larger audience.

If you prefer UK mobile casinos and like to take gaming with you, you'll find plenty of viable options on our site. 

Some of the most adorable bingo games with friendly chatrooms, progressive jackpots, and fun themes await you on the phone or tablet!

Making the Most out of Bingo – 5 Tips for Beginners

If you are relatively new to raffles, you should list a few tips and keep them at hand when playing. To enjoy online bingo for a long time, this is the best way to proceed:

1. Go easy and never spend more on tickets than you can afford.
2. Don’t play with multiple cards to chase big prizes. Tickets are often priced high in such games, so the risk of losing is also high.
3. When claiming a bonus, make sure to read the T&Cs carefully. Consider whether the terms are advantageous and if you can complete the wagering requirements. 
4. If an operator promotes a no-deposit signup bonus, use it to try out games and find the perfect choice for you.
5. Make sure the bingo site is trusted before joining to receive your payouts promptly.

Brief History of Bingo

It is thought that bingo first appeared in Italy in the 16th century. The word probably originates from the Italian lottery, Il Gioco del Lotto d'Italia. 

The game quickly spread to France and other territories, where the aristocracy usually played it.

In the early 20th century, Hugh J. Ward standardised and modernised the game for carnivals in and around Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania. 

It is also believed that the game migrated to Great Britain and other parts of Europe in the 18th century.

In nineteenth-century Germany, tombola was used as an educational tool to teach children multiplication tables, spelling, and history.

Bingo Glossary: Learn the Lingo of Bingo

If you truly want to master bingo, you must learn its special language and dictionary. As there are many catchphrases and terms to remember, we’ve made a short list to help you stay in the know:

The Bottom Line

Who knew that bingo is so versatile and fun, right? You will be surprised how many games and patterns you may encounter in time, making each raffle very exciting!

You can start playing in your preferred UK casino. Whenever you feel ready, you can choose one of the listed brands and start yelling “bingo!” to break the silence in your living room. 

If you still need advice on approaching bingo, you will find the answers to common questions about the rules in the following section.