All About Online Bingo Games

Bingo is a very simple game, and it's incredibly easy to learn the rules. There are a few different variations however, some of which have been around for a long time and others that are more recent inventions. 75 ball and 90 ball bingo, for example, are traditional formats of which many players are fully aware.

30 ball is less well known, and you may never have heard of 80 ball if you have yet to play on the Internet, because this is a version introduced online. We have provided more information on each of these games below, along with details on other types of games offered by bingo sites.

Traditional Bingo Games

75 ball and 90 ball are generally regarded as the most common forms of bingo. 75 ball is the format most frequently found in North America, while those in the United Kingdom and throughout Europe will typically be more familiar with 90 ball. Versions of both can be found at the majority of online bingo sites.

In 75 ball bingo, the card is a 5 x 5 grid that contains 24 numbers with a blank in the middle square. Each column is labeled with a letter, so that B-I-N-G-O is spelled out across the top, and the numbers in each column fall within a specified range. The ranges are 1-15 (in the B column), 16-30 (I), 31-45 (N), 46-60 (G) and 61-75 (O).

As with all forms of bingo, players mark numbers on their card when the corresponding number is called out. Generally speaking, the winner is the first player to mark a complete line of numbers. When playing online, you may find different patterns are required to win, depending on the rules of the game.

The card in 90 ball bingo consists of 9 columns and 3 rows. Each row contains 5 numbers, for a total of 15 numbers on the card. The numbers are between 1 and 90, and each column contains numbers within a certain range. The first column is for numbers 1-9, the second column is for numbers 10-19, the third for 20-29, and so on.

A game of 90 ball bingo usually consists of three rounds, although the rules may vary depending on where you are playing. The first player to mark a complete horizontal line of numbers wins the first round and will be awarded a prize. The second round, and another prize, is won by the first player to mark two complete horizontal lines of numbers. The third round, and the main prize, is won by the first player to mark every number on their card.

80 Ball Bingo

As we've mentioned, 80 ball bingo was invented specifically to be played online. It has become very popular and you'll find it at most bingo sites. The cards consist of a 4 x 4 grid containing 16 numbers. Only numbers between 1 and 20 appear in the first column, only numbers between 21 and 40 appear in the second column, and so on.

The pattern required to win a game of 80 ball varies. There are some short versions where only 4 numbers are required (perhaps a single line or all four corners), and all kinds of other patterns. In the longest possible version of the game, a full house is required, meaning you need to mark all the numbers on your card.

30 Ball Bingo

30 ball bingo is also known as speed bingo, because it's a particularly fast version of the game. The card is a 3 x 3 grid so there are 9 numbers on each. The winner of a 30 ball game is the first player to mark all numbers on their card. Because these games are often over and done with in a very short space of time, they are proving to be very popular with those who like quick action.

Chat Games

Most bingo sites encourage interaction between players, because it helps replicate the social aspect of the live game. They provide chat rooms where players can talk to one another during and between games. There's usually a chat host or moderator in each room, and very often they run some additional fun games for players to take part in.

These are generally very simple games that are over with quite rapidly. The prizes on offer aren't particularly big, and are there just to provide a bit of extra entertainment. There are various types of these games, some entirely luck-based and some requiring a bit of skill or knowledge. Quiz style games, where the winner is the first to answer a question correctly, are particularly common.

Side Games

A lot of bingo sites also offer a selection of side games for those who prefer a change. These usually include the most popular casino games, such as blackjack and roulette, while slot games and scratch cards are quite common as well.