Guide to Online Bingo
"Man alive, it's number five!" "Number nine, the Brighton Line!" "Two Little Ducks: 22!"
If you're familiar with any of the above phrases, then you've probably spent time in a British bingo hall. The game was a big part of the national social scene in the 60s and 70s, and many of the famous old venues still run bingo nights to this day.
Fast forward to the 21st century, however, and bingo has taken a more digital form. Bingo games are a common sight in online casinos and often come with bonus features that weren't a part of classic in-person bingo.
You may be curious as to how these games work: if so, you're in the right place. In this guide, we're going to cover all aspects of online bingo, from the different styles you might find to the things you should avoid while playing.
In just a few minutes, you should know much more about the famous game than you did before. So, read on to learn about the following:
What is bingo and why is it so popular?
Bingo has one of the simplest concepts around. Players have printed or electronic cards and they must match them to numbers drawn at random. The player who completes a line, two lines, or a full card ('house') wins the game.
The game is popular for several reasons. Firstly, it is an easy and accessible game that people of all ages can enjoy. This is the reason bingo was such a smash in the UK: it allowed communities to come together to play and socialize together, something that was seen as vital in the difficult post-war years.
Secondly, it's a game of chance, which appeals to people who enjoy taking risks and the thrill of winning. While the chances of winning are small, there's no denying that there's a certain excitement involved when you come close to completing your card.
Finally, with the advent of online bingo, it has become more convenient and accessible, making it even more popular among players who can now enjoy the game from the comfort of their own homes. What's more, many bingo games come with in-built bonus features and extra rounds which add to the enjoyment.
So, what should we look out for when we play bingo, either in-person or online? The next section aims to find out.
Bingo hints and tricks
Bingo is, first and foremost, a game of chance, but there are certain things we can do that will help us enjoy the game more.
The first is to get organised. Many players buy multiple bingo cards to increase their chances of winning but, to do it well, they need a system for marking the numbers off as they're called, such as lining the cards up side-by-side or even having two bingo pens (or dabbers) in use at the same time.
Online bingo isn't so difficult here, as cards are already lined up correctly and sometimes the game even marks the numbers off automatically.
Secondly, for bingo games that you can play with other players, try to take part during off-peak hours. These have fewer players than usual, so you might have a slightly higher chance of winning.
The next is to follow safe gambling principles. These include understanding that gambling is not a way to make money, never gambling with borrowed money, and always having a set budget to play with. Like with all casino games, following these will help you avoid problem betting habits and help you have a good time.
And finally, have fun! Bingo is a social game and it's possible for you to make friends either at an in-person game or in a communal online setting. Be positive, have a good time, and see where the game takes you.
Popular online bingo games
The popularity of internet bingo has led to many leading game developers trying their hand at producing a version of their own.
Spinmatic has produced one memorable title called The Golden Egg. This cleverly redresses the game up as a chicken laying numbered eggs in place of bingo balls.
The game automatically ticks off your matched numbers as it produces the eggs: if it's going too slow for you, you can speed it up whereby a human hand appears and throttles the chicken to produce eggs more quickly – not the most animal-friendly feature.
Increasing the stake also leads to higher payouts, while you can also switch bingo cards before each game if you're not happy with the one you receive.
Other popular choices include Rainforest Magic Bingo – a game by Play'n GO with several fun bonuses – and Red Rake Gaming's Disco Nights, an enjoyable game with a 70s superstar DJ as its main character.
Our list of online bingo games is growing all the time, so take a look and try them out for free.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is there any skill involved in playing bingo?
No. Bingo is purely a game of chance. In a fair game, there's no way of players knowing or predicting which balls will come out next, and certainly impossible to predict who will get them first.
Are there live bingo casinos?
Yes, some live casinos offer bingo games with a real-time caller. This can be a fun way of playing live and may even have fellow players present.
To find these sites, go to our list of live casinos and choose 'Bingo' from the 'Casino Games' filter.
Will I make lots of money playing bingo?
According to research, the average bingo game is completed in 75 calls. In a game with that number of calls, each book's chances of winning are around 20 to 1, which means you're unlikely to win big.
Of course, you could always buy more books. But the cost of playing increases, and thus your winning margin decreases with each one you buy. Therefore, you should take bingo, and casino games in general, as a form of entertainment rather than a way to make money.