We know you’ll be familiar with the iconic game of bingo (and if you’re not, where have you been?), but did you know there’s more than one version of this famous game?
Here are the top 10 things you need to know about the different versions of bingo out there to enjoy.
30 Ball
30 ball bingo is also known as ‘speed bingo’ and it’s easy to see why. It uses just 30 numbers to get the game done, meaning it’s super easy — and quick — to get a game in.
Just One Winner
With just nine numbers to hit on a speed bingo card, the rounds fly by. And because of this, there’s just one overall winner with 30-ball games, making the thrill of landing the prize sweeter still.
75 Ball
There are a number of ways you can win using 75-ball bingo, including getting a full house (hitting all the numbers on your card), but the first winner will almost always complete a full row of some kind. Whether that’s up, down or diagonally will depend on the type of 75 ball being played.
Blankety Blank
75 ball is played using a card split into 5×5 squares — 25 in total. The middle square is kept blank, while the other 24 contain the numbers you’re looking to hit.
Big in the US
75-ball bingo is the most popular variant of the game in the USA, and there’s more than one version available at that! U-Pick’Em, Shotgun, Quick Shot, Bonanza, Horse Racing, Death and Roadkill bingos and even ‘Facebook’ bingo are all versions of the 75-ball game.
90 Ball
This is the big one, and if you hit bingo here you’ll be getting a rush like no other. There are three ways to win with bingo 90 balls. A complete horizontal row takes the first prize, then two complete rows earn you a win, and then finally the end goal is a full house.
Loved All Over
Played since the 18th century, 90 ball bingo is the most popular version of bingo in Great Britain and in many other places around the globe. In Quebec, this version is kinzo and in India, it’s known as tambola.
Is That Your Card?
One of the main differences between 75 and 90-ball bingo is the speed with which the caller reads out the numbers. You might’ve thought that the Americans would like their bingo to be a little more fast-paced but, because lots of US players tend to play multiple cards running at one time, the callers slow things down to help everyone keep pace.
80 Ball
The newest member of the gang, 80 ball bingo was developed especially for online bingo players. To be victorious here, a player must match a complete row using the pattern shown on the card.
A Pattern Emerging?
80-ball bingo is probably the most experimental of all variants in terms of the patterns you can complete to win a round, including four corners, horizontal and vertical lines, and even single numbers.
So, now you know about the different types of bingo available, which one are you going to try?