Live bingo rules | All the tips and tricks you need to know

While Bingo may bring to mind images of musty church halls and retirement villages, the simplicity of the game holds appeal to young and old alike. A lottery-type game that requires concentration and luck. Playing the game can generate a surprising amount of adrenaline.

The game itself can take many forms from the number of squares on the card to the number of balls that are drawn from a physical or virtual pool. Whether it is played online or at a brick and mortar establishment, you can select the number of cards to play, for a greater opportunity to complete a line in a horizontal, vertical or diagonal format.

The game has been enhanced and improved since its origin in Italy where it took the form of a weekly lottery and now extends to a myriad of variations, changes and quirks which adds excitement and entertainment in both the real-life and online version.

What kinds of bingo are there?

Bingo cards all have a grid of numbers on a single, easy to view card or paper. Simply purchase a BINGO card to start marking off squares on a 5×5 grid as you attempt to create a line from left to right, top to bottom or corner to corner. This 25 squares card is played using a 75 ball selection mechanism and is known as the US version of the game.

When enjoyed in a church hall or recreation centre, all variants of the game have a number, and a letter called out as the balls are drawn from the pool, and players are asked to mark off the combination on their card. When played using multiple cards, the game offers plenty of thrills as players get in the zone and concentrate to ensure that both the number and letter are correct before making that mark.

The game has evolved a great deal as organisers do as much as possible to maintain interest in a game that could seem a little old fashioned to casino players who are more familiar with all the bells and whistles offered by the pokie machines. Numbers can form a pattern of more than just a single line in certain bingo variations as players strive to be first to cover all the numbers or mark off an X pattern to win.

The British version of Bingo is known to have their cards set up in a 9 by 3 block format and played with a selection device that starts with 90 numbered balls. This also the variation that uses cute and fun lingo to call out the numbers like Lucky Legs 11 or Two Little Ducks for the number 22.

When playing Bingo at online casinos, the US version is the most popular and players can select an exciting variant like Speed Bingo, Bingo Multihand, and more at the touch of a button and at a price that suits a wide range of budgets.

What’s with the serial number?

As with your lotto quick pick, every number combination should be as unique as possible and, especially in the case of live games, each card that is purchased should have a numerical combination that is not available to anyone else in the game.

To ensure transparency and fairness, each lotto card will have a serial number and confirm that the number combination shown will not be issued to another player in that game.

The online version of bingo has even more number combinations to choose from and guarantees that your virtual cards display a combination that isn’t shared with another player and gives you the best chance at a win.

What is electronic bingo?

Electronic bingo is a convenient game that can be found at fuel stations and corner shops.

Punters can pop in to play a few rounds while they stock up the pantry and use the touchscreen to mark off numbers.

Wins are then redeemed for store vouchers, merchandise, or other store-specific prizes.

What are the rules of bingo?

The rules of bingo couldn’t possibly be easier.

Purchase tickets.
Select the number of balls to be drawn (this is available on certain online variants).
Click “Play” to get started.
Mark off the numbers that are drawn to complete a line horizontally, vertically, or diagonally

Completed cards are then tallied and all wins are added to your total.

Even though the live version of the game is very social, players may find that their fellow players frown on any chatting during the game as marking off numbers on multiple cards can take a great deal of focus. You are, of course, welcome to chat before and after the game begins but your peers will thank you for being quiet as they aim to shout, “Bingo” first.

How do I play live dealer bingo?

Live dealer casino games are a great way to have the thrill of a real-life casino experience while remaining within the four walls of your home.

Thanks to high definition cameras and live streaming, several games are easily accessible at the click of a mouse where you can chat with your fellow players and hone your skills while also having access to a professional virtual dealer who is on hand to guide you through the process.

While live dealer bingo may differ slightly from one online casino to the next, the premise is just as exciting as the social bingo you’ve enjoyed at your local rec hall.

Join a room.
Place your bets to receive your cards.
Mark off numbers in your race to complete the row as quickly as you can.

The price of your ticket will be directly proportionate to the size of the prize so keep this in mind as you select the variant that will stretch your bankroll for hours of fun and enjoyment.

Who can play bingo?

As the game is super easy to learn and play, it is often used by church groups and schools to teach kids how to recognise numbers and patterns. Even when presented in the form of a fundraiser, many organisers will welcome players of all ages to win hampers, gift tokens, and other small prizes.

Both land-based and online casinos however usually have an age limit of 18 for all casino games and, as such will require players to meet their age requirements before they are let loose on the game machines.

Are there any benefits to playing online bingo?

A few variations of the game can be 100% automated which makes it incredibly easy to play. Many believe that a great deal of the fun comes from the adrenaline rush of marking off numbers before the game comes to an end – especially when you’re juggling 3 or more cards.

Ultimately, the benefits of online bingo are the fact that you can play it at a time and place that suits you. There is no need to wait for a particular Friday night or mingle with strangers if you are not in the mood.

Simply create an online casino account with one of our recommended casino operators, purchase casino credit, and start your journey to playing bingo for the chance to win real cash prizes.

Can online casinos be trusted?

Online casinos offer you the chance to play a myriad of games in the comfort of your own home. While many casino operators may look and sound very professional, it is always best to do your research and rely on the reviews of reputable sites like ours to guide you to a trustworthy service provider.

Our team goes the extra mile to check out every single casino recommended here and makes sure you are kept as safe as possible by looking at the following criteria:

Licensing – online casinos should hold at least one gambling license from a trusted authority like the United Kingdom Gaming Commission (UKGC), the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), or the Alderney Gaming Commission (AGC).
Encryption – to ensure that your financial and personal details are kept secure, look for Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption that protects your information from prying eyes with bank-level security.
Audited – licensed casinos are regularly audited by independent 3rd party agencies to confirm that their business is run ethically and the games play and pay in alignment with casino game software guidelines.

As long as the online casino ticks these boxes, it is an indicator of reputability that should set your mind at ease as you enjoy the convenience of playing games for real money.

What services do online casinos offer?

Aside from the obvious casino game selection, online casinos are a great place to learn about new casino games whether you’re a brand new pokie player or have been visiting land-based casinos for years.

The friendly customer support team is on hand for a large portion of the day to answer any questions you may have and many games are available to play in demo mode to allow you to “try before you buy” as it were.

Pokies, in particular, have come a long way since the days of the one-armed bandit and you may be delighted to find how much more colourful and exciting the games are now. With bonus features like free spins, cascading reels, progressive bonus rounds, and more, you are bound to find a game that tickles your fancy and may even walk away with a life-changing sum of money too.

Is online bingo for me?

Bingo is the ultimate game of chance that relies on how closely the numbers on your card line up to the numbers that are called, whether in the brick and mortar setting or the online version. Those who are looking for the thrills and spills offered by other games of chance are welcome to play with multiple cards in each round and keep pace with the numbers called as they systematically mark them off.

Online bingo is an excellent choice for new gamblers who may find the complex rules of other casino games a little daunting. The game requires little more than the marking off of numbers as everything else from the selection of the game variation to the tallying of totals is done automatically, which offers players the fun bit of winning real cash.

Now that you know the rules, you are fully equipped to give the game a try as you partner with Lady Luck to win.

FAQs