Bingo
Game Guide

Whether enthusiastic bingo players are at a casino, bingo hall or online, this game is a value bet because, except in progressive games, there is always a winner for each game.

First up are bingo cards. Cards are purchased resembling a 5 X 5 grid with 25 corresponding numbers labeled left to right under the five letters spelling B-I-N-G-O. The middle space, marked FREE is under the letter N. Numbers on the bingo cards are selected and printed from B1-O75. Each number will appear only once on any of the cards.

There are 15 number possibilities for each letter of the word BINGO:

  • B numbers will be B1 - B15
  • numbers will be I16 - I30
  • N numbers will be N31 - N45
  • G numbers will be G46 - G60
  • O numbers will be O61 - O75

Bingo Glossary

Bingo Games Glossary A - B

Admission Packet or Buy-In
number of cards purchased for the price of admission.
After Game
term for bingo games played after a regular session.
Bingo Board
displays bingo numbers on a large board. Bingo numbers lit up when called while others are yet to be called. See Game Board.
Bingo Bonus
UK game where winnings are increased based on the number of balls called during the game. Bonus profits are available for a winning bingo called within 46, 47 and/or 49 numbers depending on the club or online game.
Bingo Books/Booklets
bound bingo cards in mixed colors in use for each game of a scheduled session. This selection of colors is generally fastened in the order to which they will be played.
Bingo Cards
Manufacturer of cards and games produce either a unique series of 6000 or 9000 cards. Therefore, card #3793 will always have the same set of numbers.
Bingo Games Glossary Variations
certain variations or patterns are marked or highlighted. Examples of variations range from:
  • Straight Line or any line across or down or diagonal, Postage stamp: any 4 corners or double or triple stamps and 4 corners, inside or outside picture frame.
  • Bingo patterns. Examples are arrows, airplanes, squares, triangles or crosses.
  • Letter Patterns. Examples are letters: C, E, F, L, N, O, T, U, X, Y.
Bingo Versions
4 versions played worldwide online and off.
  • 75-ball version, free center square played on a 5X5 grid.
  • 90-ball versions played on a 9X3 card equal to 9 columns and 3 horizontal.Total of 15 numbers per card while the balance are free spaces. .
  • 80-ball bingo games played on a 4x4 format displaying 16 numbers.
  • Mini Bingo, Speed or Quickie Bingo: played with 30 numbered balls (1-30) only.
Blower
device utilizing forced air that tumbles the bingo balls in a cage. The blower then drops or distributes the balls to a bingo caller who announces the number that is then displayed on the Bingo Board.
Bonanza Bingo
an additional progressive jackpot coverall game played and announced separately during the bingo session. Usually, a bingo session will begin with approximately 45 numbers drawn and marked on game-specific bingo cards. Players pay extra fees for these games and after a pre- determined number of balls called, the card is set aside. The countdown then proceeds at a certain number (47 or less, for example) and if not won will increase one number per week (48 next week, etc) until won. The jackpot payout is calculated based on bingo card sales for that particular game.
Breakopen
term for cards manufactured with perforated tabs that when opened reveal numbers and letters that have been determined as prizes.
Bullseye
UK Windfall Game where a bingo win is for 50 numbers called.
Buzzword Bingo
version that subs words or buzzwords for numbers. These words and phrases are indicated by the player as called. The bingo winner is determined with five buzzwords in a row are completed.

Bingo Games Glossary C

Call House
it's a Bingo Win! in the UK clubs. The equivalent of calling, yelling or bellowing Bingo in North American bingo halls.
Caller
a person who calls out bingo numbers as they tumble from the holder.
Cash-in-prize
prize money awarded to winners of bingo games.
Chat Room
display screen where you can read and reply to messages with other online bingo players.
Coverall or Blackout
is a winning bingo that covers all numbers on that particular card. Coveralls for as few as 43 numbers have been recorded.

Bingo Games Glossary D - F

Dauber or Bingo Marker
equipped with a foam tip and filled with ink for marking numbers called. Available in fun colors and shapes for players. Daubers are the only acceptable method of marking paper cards in bingo halls
Double Bubble
UK Windfall bingo game where a bingo is called on any of the numbers 11, 22, 33, 44, 55, 66, 77 or 88. The winner receives double the full house prize money. .
Early Bird Game
opposite of after game, term for bingo games played before a regular session. Also known as warm-up.
Electronic Bingo Cards
also known as TED or GTI, these handheld bingo devices allow ease of play of multiple cards at the same time. While several of these helpful devices can load up to 200 bingo cards, the bingo house may limit the number of cards for one session or game. Some bingo halls require that players use both paper and device at specific times or bingo sessions as it is seen to be an unfair advantage by veteran players.
Face
front of card with 25 printed numbers to include free space.
Flimsy, Flimsies
printed on sheets of thin paper, these cards may be printed revealing 1, 2, 4, 6, 9 cards, although usually most flimsies have 3 cards printed. For regular games during a session, the cost is low at $1-2 while special games increase the cost.Online bingo games offer frequent promotions for regular bingo games to play for free or reduced cost. Flimsy cards are also known as Throwaways.
Flyers
single sheets of bingo cards in UK with 6 sections.Flyers are higher priced than books, however, so too are the prizes.
Four Corners
term for pattern bingo games where in order to win, you must have the numbers called on the four corners of your card.
Free Space
the center square of the bingo card. This freebie is counted if required for a pattern or coverall win.

Bingo Games Glossary G

GTI or TED
term for electronic device to play multiple bingo games for an additional fee. Gamers are allowed only one device/player. Also see Electronic Bingo Cards.
Game Board/Bingo Board
a display board that reflects the bingo balls in play. Can also show the type of game being played currently and jackpots available.
Game Room
Some online games divide the players into game rooms. These game rooms can have themes or color names like Gold, Diamond, Topaz or Pick & Mix Rooms.
Games Variations
bingo games glossary reports these variations: double bingo, triple bingo, coverall, progressives and hall ball, which is the first number drawn at the beginning of the bingo session. If this number is the winning number in any game, a progressive jackpot is won along with the usual award for that particular game. Also see Bingo Cards-Variations.

Bingo Game Terms Defined H - L

Hardway Bingo
a win is one line without utilizing the free space. Double hardway bingo requires two lines without utilizing the free space
High 5 Gala Bingo
UK bingo game connected to all bingo clubs and played at the same time.Example of prize money split is £1000 for a line, £2000 for two lines and £3000 for a full card. An additional feature is where the number 5 comes in. If the winner yells Bingo on any number ending in 5, then a £25000 payday awaits instead of £3000 for a full card. .
House
refers to the venue, be it a casino property, bingo hall, large tent or online website where bingo is played. As with casinos, the owners/operators of bingo venues are also known as the House. Additionally, UK Bingo Win. See Call House.
Inlaid Card
printed bingo cards, often in 4x4 format placed into a table. Black discs mark the numbers when called.
Jackpot
prize awarded for particular bingo games or pattern wins.
Late Night Bingo/Moonlight Bingo
term for bingo sessions that begin after 10pm.
Lucky Jar/Cookie Jar
cash for winners. Awarded usually for the first number
Lucky Stars
UK Windfall Lucky Star game is played where each player is assigned a number from 1 to 90 -known as their Lucky Star. If the last number called before bingo is the player's Lucky Star, the payout is increased by up to £2000.

Bingo Game Terms M - Q

Main Stage Bingo
describes the top jackpot or event that brings in bingo players. Usually, the ever-growing progressive jackpot amount will be front and center as the Main Stage.
Mini Bingo
see Speed or Quickie Bingo.
Minimum Buy-in
the least dollar amount required to be eligible for prizes.
Money Ball
a number drawn before the game that doubles your winnings if a bingo is called on that number.
Multiple Winners
when more than 2 players win, the prize is divided equally among them.
On
jargon used to declare that a player is On with one or more cards that require only one number for a win.
On The Way
bingo played before the coverall game, usually a progressive. Generally won for an X or top/bottom lines within a few numbers and for a smaller payout. The coverall or blackout game then proceeds after this small winner is declared with all players using the same card until the top jackpot is won.
Online Bingo
presents a mix of a wide selection of games, promotions, loyalty rewards membership, themes along with social networking with fellow players. Be prepared for a unique bingo experience played in your PJ's.
Parti
abbreviation for participation bingo where the cash prize is determined by the number of players.Generally inlaid cards and hand-held shutter boards are used for parti where the cash prize is at least 50% of monies received for each bingo game.
Pattern Bingo
a specified pattern on the bingo card. Ex:=letters X, T or H. See Bingo Card Variations for details.
Payout
based on percentage of sales (about 75%) paid out by the bingo hall.
Postage Stamp Pattern
bingo won by called numbers matching a 2 x 2 grid in any of the four corners of the card. See Bingo Game Variations.
Progressive Jackpot Bingo
grows until it is won and requires a separate buy-in. These bingo games start with 45 numbers drawn per session and go up one number per week until won. Generally, the first game played per bingo session.

Bingo Game Terms Defined R - S

Rainbow Pack
assorted package of paper bingo cards that are played for various prize amounts. Blue cards are the least expensive, then red, green and tan pays the top bucks.
Session
bingo program that include regular and special games lasting approximately 2-3 hours.
Shutter Board
plastic game card with printed numbers marked by closing shutters.
Six-pack, Nine-pack
lingo for 6 or 9 numbers in a block on one bingo card.
Special Games
generally requires an additional fee to purchase these cards.
Speed or Quickie Bingo Game
played with 30 numbered balls (1-30) only.
Split Pot
term for a payout for winning is split between the winner(s) and the bingo operator based on the sale of bingo cards for that particular game. Split Pot could consist of 1/3 to the House and 2/3 to the winner(s).
Squares
refers to pattern wins. Outside square: utilizes B and O row plus top and bottom rows across.
Inside square: is a win around the free space utilizing I, N and G rows.

Bingo Game Terms T - W

Table Board Bingo Game
described as a lottery format where players try to complete particular patterns of numbers first using the device via numbers selected at random.
Texas Blackout
this version of bingo leading to a coverall or blackout is determined by the first ball called being an even or odd number. If that first number is even, like B10, then all even numbers on all the players' bingo cardsare wild and should be marked as covered or called. On the other hand, if B11 is called then all odd numbers are wild. Once determined and numbers marked, the game moves on for the blackout win and a loud Bingo!
Throwaways
Another term for Flimsy/Flimsies.
Tickets
for the printed pages designated for main stage bingo play. Printed in grids and distributed as books, these tickets are typically assigned bar codes used to assist with win validations.
Validation
after a called bingo, to determine players' eligibility for the jackpot award.
Wild Number
can be played for a double bingo. This is determined by the first number out. For example, the first number is G47; therefore, all numbers ending in 7 will qualify as a wild number and should be marked.
Windfall Bingo Games
specialty games offered at land-based clubs and online where prize money is increased. These games are part of a regular bingo session and are offered free or at an additional fee. Examples are Bingo Bonus and Double Bubble.
Wrap Up
last bingo game for that session.
WOB
Wild on Bingo says it all to end this bingo game terms list.

UK Bingo
Bingo Games Glossary

UK Bingo Lingo or British Bingo offers unique phrases for the UK version played with 90 bingo balls. Players must get five numbers in a row, column or diagonal for Bingo!You are then required to yell ‘House' or ‘Here' to stop the game.

UK Bingo Lingo Origins

In the U.K, bingo is played in large halls with cash prizes while the larger commercial venues are linked with other halls during one specific, progressive game where the jackpot cash prizes are increased.

Online Bingo Games
in the UK

Online Bingo is a smashing success and one of the top leisure activities in the UK. As the popularity has grown, the big brand names have entered the market at new or established websites. Familiar brands like Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, Mecca and Gala have arrived with charity bingo now joining the established brands.Bingo Cards: UK Bingo Lingo

The most popular online bingo games are the 90-Ball versions played on a 9X3 card equal to 9 columns and 3 horizontal. Cards are sold as strips=one book resulting in 6 rows of bingo cards per strip for 1 game of a session. Thus, the book is comprised of 6-10 pages equal to 6-10 games. Each strip is in a different colour to determine the specific game played and the jackpot amount allotted: Gold, Lime, Violet, Yellow, Pink, Grey, Orange, Blue, Red and White.

Additionally, single sheets of bingo cards with the 6 sections are available and are known as Flyers. While, flyers are higher priced expensive than books, so too are the prizes. Bingo Players begin the game for 1 line across=5 numbers as called, then for 2 lines across=10 numbers as called and then for a full house which is all 15 numbers on the bingo cards and results in the largest payout.

If players are playing online, the process described above is automatic or auto-daub format, so sit back and relax or go to chat while the system does the work.

UK Bingo Lingo
for 90 numbers

  1. Kelly's Eye or at the beginning
  2. Me and You or Little Boy Blue
  3. Cup of Tea, Dearie Me or I'm Free
  4. Knock at the Door or On the Floor
  5. Man Alive or Jack's Aliv
  6. Tom's Tricks or Chopsticks
  7. Lucky or God's in Heaven
  8. Garden Gate or One Fat Lady
  9. Doctor's Orders
  10. Tony's Den or Uncle Ben
  11. egs Eleven
  12. One Dozen or Monkey's Cousin
  13. Unlucky for Some or Devil's Cousin
  14. Valentine's Day
  15. Young and Keen or Rugby Team
  16. Sweet 16 or Never Been Kissed
  17. Dancing Queen or Old Ireland
  18. Coming of Age or Key of the Door
  19. Goodbye Teens
  20. One Score or Getting Plenty
  21. Key of the Door or Royal Salute
  22. Two Little Ducks or Dinky Doo
  23. Thee and Me or A Duck & A Flea
  24. Two Dozen
  25. Duck and Dive
  26. Pick and Mix or Half a Crown
  27. Gateway to Heaven
  28. Overweight or In a State
  29. Rise and Shine or You're Doing Fine
  30. Dirty Gerty or Blind 30
  31. Get Up and Run
  32. Buckle my Shoe
  33. Dirty Knee or All the Threes
  34. Ask for More
  35. Jump and Jive
  36. Three Dozen
  37. More than 11 or A Flea in Heaven
  38. Christmas Cake
  39. Steps or All the Steps
  40. Naughty 40 or Two Score
  41. Time for Fun or Life's Begun
  42. Whinny the Poo or Famous Street in NY
  43. Down on your Knees
  44. Droopy Drawers or All the Fours
  45. Halfway There or Halfway House
  46. Up to Tricks
  47. Four and Seven
  48. Four Dozen
  49. P.C. or Copper
  50. Half a Century or Bulls Eye
  51. Tweak of the Thumb or I Love My Mum
  52. Danny LaRue or Weeks in a Year
  53. Stuck in the Tree
  54. Clean the Floor
  55. Snakes Alive or All the Fives
  56. Was She Worth It?
  57. Heinz Varieties
  58. Make them Wait or Choo Choo Thomas
  59. Brighton Line
  60. Five Dozen or Three Score
  61. Baker's Bun
  62. Turn on the Screw. Tickety Boo
  63. Tickle Me
  64. Red Raw or Beatles Number
  65. Old Age Pension
  66. Clickety Click or All the Sixes
  67. Made in Heaven
  68. Saving Grace
  69. Either Way Up or Meal for Two
  70. Three Score & Ten
  71. Bang on the Drum
  72. Six Dozen
  73. Queen B, Crutch with a Flea or Under the Tree
  74. Candy Store
  75. Strive and Strive
  76. Trombones
  77. Sunset Strip
  78. Heaven's Gate
  79. One More Time &
  80. Eight & Blank
  81. Stop & Run
  82. Straight on Through
  83. Time for Tea
  84. Seven Dozen
  85. Staying Alive
  86. Between the Sticks
  87. Torquay in Devon
  88. Two Fat Ladies
  89. Nearly There
  90. Top of the Shop