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
I 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

Kelly's Eye or at the beginning

Me and You or Little Boy Blue

Cup of Tea, Dearie Me or I'm Free

Knock at the Door or On the Floor

Man Alive or Jack's Aliv

Tom's Tricks or Chopsticks

Lucky or God's in Heaven

Garden Gate or One Fat Lady

Doctor's Orders

Tony's Den or Uncle Ben

egs Eleven

One Dozen or Monkey's Cousin

Unlucky for Some or Devil's Cousin

Valentine's Day

Young and Keen or Rugby Team

Sweet 16 or Never Been Kissed

Dancing Queen or Old Ireland

Coming of Age or Key of the Door

Goodbye Teens

One Score or Getting Plenty

Key of the Door or Royal Salute

Two Little Ducks or Dinky Doo

Thee and Me or A Duck & A Flea

Two Dozen

Duck and Dive

Pick and Mix or Half a Crown

Gateway to Heaven

Overweight or In a State

Rise and Shine or You're Doing Fine

Dirty Gerty or Blind 30

Get Up and Run

Buckle my Shoe

Dirty Knee or All the Threes

Ask for More

Jump and Jive

Three Dozen

More than 11 or A Flea in Heaven

Christmas Cake

Steps or All the Steps

Naughty 40 or Two Score

Time for Fun or Life's Begun

Whinny the Poo or Famous Street in NY

Down on your Knees

Droopy Drawers or All the Fours

Halfway There or Halfway House

Up to Tricks

Four and Seven

Four Dozen

P.C. or Copper

Half a Century or Bulls Eye

Tweak of the Thumb or I Love My Mum

Danny LaRue or Weeks in a Year

Stuck in the Tree

Clean the Floor

Snakes Alive or All the Fives

Was She Worth It?

Heinz Varieties

Make them Wait or Choo Choo Thomas

Brighton Line

Five Dozen or Three Score

Baker's Bun

Turn on the Screw. Tickety Boo

Tickle Me

Red Raw or Beatles Number

Old Age Pension

Clickety Click or All the Sixes

Made in Heaven

Saving Grace

Either Way Up or Meal for Two

Three Score & Ten

Bang on the Drum

Six Dozen

Queen B, Crutch with a Flea or Under the Tree

Candy Store

Strive and Strive

Trombones

Sunset Strip

Heaven's Gate

One More Time &

Eight & Blank

Stop & Run

Straight on Through

Time for Tea

Seven Dozen

Staying Alive

Between the Sticks

Torquay in Devon

Two Fat Ladies

Nearly There

Top of the Shop

Bingo Game Guide