Bingo is one of the most popular games to play in the UK, with people all across the country playing in traditional bingo halls and at home thanks to the rise of mobile gaming.
If you are keen to get into playing bingo but you are not sure where to start, this article will provide a handy beginner’s guide to cover everything you need to know about bingo so you can join the thousands of people having fun playing bingo across the UK.
What Exactly is Bingo?
Bingo is a game that originated in traditional bingo halls, where a player marks off numbers on cards as the numbers are drawn at random and called out. The bingo cards generally consist of 25 numbers, and the first player to have five numbers called out in a row, either horizontally, vertically or diagonally, wins a prize.
Bingo is a really fun game to play surrounded by friends, as it creates a fun atmosphere and is very easy to pick up once you know the rules, and as the numbers are picked at random, anyone has the chance to win!
Where to Play Bingo
Although the traditional game of bingo has changed over the years, there are still many bingo halls across the country where you can go with a group of friends and enjoy a night playing games and socialising.
In recent years, new versions of bingo have come on the scene, with larger-scale events such as Bongo’s Bingo and Bingo Lingo sweeping the nation. These sorts of events offer a new twist on the game while incorporating other fun activities such as karaoke and live entertainment.
With the convenience of smartphones, many people also choose to play online bingo from the comfort of their own home. You can play with your friends and join a huge community of other online players, where you can chat in group messaging forums as you play along and win prizes. These online platforms also offer a variety of unique games based on the traditional bingo format, so you will be able to try your hand at a wide range of fun games.
Types of Bingo
There are now many different types of bingo games you can play, with each having its own specific spin on the traditional version of the popular format.
- 30 Ball: Also known as Speed Bingo, this game is played online on a smaller bingo card with 9 squares and is played at a much faster rate than traditional bingo.
- 75 Ball: This version of bingo is highly popular in the United States and opens up more opportunities for people to win due to its unique pattern.
- 80 Ball: This is one of the most popular versions of online bingo you can play, and features a card with 16 squares, which are split up into four colours – red, yellow, blue and white. The primary goal of this version is to cross out four coloured numbers in any direction.
- 90 Ball: The most popular version of bingo, 90 Ball is the game you will find in most traditional bingo halls and online bingo platforms. The first player to get five numbers calls out, line, and if you fill your entire bingo card before anyone else, you win with what is called a ‘full house’.
Hopefully, this handy guide has broken down some of the important things you need to know before you start playing bingo, whether that be at home online with friends or in a traditional bingo hall.
