The most popular bingo variation is the American bingo or 75-ball. Surprisingly, there are 552 septillion card combinations in 75-ball bingo alone, 552 followed by 24 zeros.
There are different types of bingo apart from the traditional form. You can tell them apart by their bingo card layout. Each has a different number of balls drawn. Like 75-ball, they have millions and millions of unique number combinations.
Learn more about the different bingo types and how many numbers there are below.
Highlights of the Post
- The 90-ball bingo is called “Housie” or “Housie-Housie” in the UK.
- Bingo venues sell 90-ball cards as strips of 6 cards that contain all 90 numbers.
- A 90-ball bingo card has 24 quadrillion unique number combinations.
- The traditional form is 75-ball bingo, often called American bingo.
- The 75-ball bingo card has the highest number of unique combinations at 552 septillions.
- Over 182 quintillion combinations can be made from an 80-ball card.
- The quickest bingo to play is the 30-ball, earning the nickname “speed bingo.”
Bingo Game Styles
There are currently 4 popular bingo game styles. They have different numbers of balls drawn and card layouts. Regardless, all of them follow the same foundation of rules.
A caller leads a bingo game, operating a machine that draws random numbers. The caller will announce the numbers to the players, who will review their cards and look for the generated numbers.
The aim is to gather all numbers in the card that follow a winning pattern. When that happens, the player shouts “BINGO!” to announce their win.
90 Ball Bingo
The 90-ball bingo is the British version. Bingo is more commonly called “Housie” or “Housie-Housie,” and is an accepted form of gambling in the UK. Based on its name, there are 90 balls in this type of bingo that ranges from 1 to 90.
Its card layout has a 9×3 grid with 4 blank spots for each row, making way to only 5 digits per row.
| Column | Number range |
| 1 | 1 to 10 |
| 2 | 11 to 20 |
| 3 | 21 to 30 |
| 4 | 31 to 40 |
| 5 | 41 to 50 |
| 6 | 51 to 60 |
| 7 | 61 to 70 |
| 8 | 71 to 80 |
| 9 | 81 to 90 |
The card has a total of 15 digits and 12 blank spaces. Bingo venues sell 90-ball cards as strips of 6 cards containing all 90 numbers. This setup gives players higher odds of winning.
There are 24 quadrillion combinations produced from a 90-ball bingo card. In perspective, that is 24 followed by 15 zeros or 24 multiplied by 1,000, raised to the power of 5. The exact value is 24,069,639,359,475,000.
Putting things into perspective, if a player thinks of printing all the unique 90-ball cards, it will take them more than 700 million years to print each card per second.
There are 3 main winning patterns in 90-ball bingo:
One-line pattern – This pattern covers all 5 digits on any row and ticket. When achieved, players usually shout “Line!” instead of the usual “Bingo!”
INSERT CARD ILLUSTRATION: Follow this boxes90.jpg
Two lines pattern – Must cover all 5 digits on 2 rows in 1 ticket. A player must still declare they achieved a one-line pattern when they do, but there are only winners once 2 lines get covered.
INSERT CARD ILLUSTRATION: Follow this boxes90.jpg
Full house pattern – This is called the coverall, where all 15 numbers on all 3 rows of 1 ticket are covered. The largest prizes and jackpots usually come from achieving this type of pattern.
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75 Ball bingo
This is the traditional way of bingo, also called American bingo. It utilizes 75 numbers ranging from 1 to 75. 6 and 4 are the most frequent number drawn in traditional bingo.
Its card has a 5×5 layout that houses 74 numbers. The middle square is a free space. The columns are designated with the letters “BINGO,” respectively, and holds a different range of numbers each:
| Column label | Range |
| B | 1 to 15 |
| I | 16 to 30 |
| N | 31 to 45 |
| G | 46 to 60 |
| O | 61 to 75 |
The 75-ball bingo card has the highest number of unique card combinations out of all bingo variations. There are 552 septillion unique card combinations for 75-ball bingo cards. That is 552 multiplied by 1,000, raised to the eighth power.That number is incomprehensible to the simple human mind. Even if someone prints 1 trillion 75-ball bingo cards per second, printing them all will take millions of years.
Several winning patterns are also played in 75-ball bingo, such as:
- Bingo lines: This is the pattern with the highest odds of winning. It must cover a single row or column horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
- Bingo letters: The numbers must form a specific letter on the card. X, L, N, and Z are the most commonly used letters.
- Bingo numbers: A number must form on the card. The most common numbers to use are 0, 7, and 13.
- Bingo shapes: There are many variations for this type of winning pattern:
- Clover
- Diamond
- Tic Tac Toe
- Hollow diamond
- Small diamond and 4 corners
- Blackout: This is also referred to as coverall, where all of the numbers must be drawn. This pattern produces the most prizes and jackpots.
80 Ball bingo
This is an emerging variation of bingo. It was initially called “shutterboard” bingo because callers shut a window over the number they drew. It consists of 80 balls ranging from 1 to 80.
It has a 4×4 card layout that comprises 16 numbers. An 80-ball bingo card is also recognizable because it uses colors to divide the card into 4 groups:
| Column color | Range |
| Red | 1 to 20 |
| Yellow | 21 to 40 |
| Blue | 41 to 59 |
| Silver | 60 to 80 |
The card layout of 80-ball bingo is deceiving. Most people assume that the number of unique cards would be low. However, the number of possible unique combinations from an 80-ball bingo card is over 182 quintillion or 182,818,479,414,274,560,000.
There are 4 winning patterns in 80-ball bingo:
- Any one line – It can be one diagonal, horizontal, or vertical line in any part of the card.
- Four corners – There are 2 possible variations of this winning pattern. The first is the outer corner, while the other refers to the inner corner. The latter creates a 2×2 square in the middle.
- Two lines – This can be any 2 horizontal, diagonal, or vertical lines in any part of the card. It depends on whether the rules must be the same or whether any 2 line variation is accepted.
- Three lines – The numbers must form 3 horizontal, diagonal, or vertical lines in any part of the card.
- Four lines – This creates the blackout or full-house where all the numbers get covered.
30 Ball bingo
Players call it “speed bingo” because it is the fastest variation. With only 30 balls ranging from 1 to 30, it is quick to win. Plus, players can participate in numerous games within a short time.
It has a 3×3 card layout that only has 9 numbers, which has 1.7 million possible unique number combinations in its card.
| First column | 1 to 10 |
| Second column | 11 to 20 |
| Third column | 21 to 30 |
To succeed in 30-ball bingo, the player must mark off all numbers on the card. This is the only way of winning this bingo variation.
Final Thoughts
Bingo is centuries old, but it is still an enjoyable game in numerous forms.
The traditional 75-ball bingo and 90-ball bingo are still thriving, with emerging variations like 30-ball and 80-ball. They follow the same foundation in rules but differ in card layout, winning patterns, and number of balls.
Before, playing bingo meant going to bingo halls. However, the game remains relevant as it was able to catch up to digitalization. Today, online bingo games are accessible through an application or website, making bingo a timeless game.
FAQ
How many bingo balls are there?
The standard way to play bingo has 75 balls. Other forms vary and can have 90, 80, or 30 balls.
Is there a strategy for playing bingo?
Having more bingo cards can increase your chances of winning.
What is the best bingo pattern?
A four-corner winning pattern is the easiest one to win.
List of Sources
Milica Lukić
As an English linguistics Ph.D. student, an EFL teacher, and a translator, Milica’s everyday life is full of research tasks. Always willing to acquire new knowledge, she enjoys writing about it and sharing it with others. In her free time, Milica can be found reading, watching cute animal videos, spending hours trying to master Korean, and learning about digital marketing through her study blog on Instagram.
FAQs
How many numbers are in each bingo? ›
A bingo Card contains 24 numbered spaces and one free space (blank), with which you play BINGO. The numbers are assigned at random on each card and are arranged in five columns of five numbers each by five rows (5 x 5 = 25 in total including the blank square).
How many numbered balls are there in bingo? ›The bingo game is played using twenty-four predrawn letters and numbers and may use up to six bonus numbers to achieve predetermined patterns. If a predetermined pattern is achieved, then the player wins a prize based on a specific prize table.
How do you predict bingo numbers? ›Choose cards with median numbers.
The Tippett theory suggests that more numbers that are called in a wheel-of-balls bingo game, the more those numbers will gravitate towards the middle. If you can, look for bingo cards with more numbers toward the median. In a game that goes from 1-99, the median would be 45.
| No. calls | 40 | 50 |
|---|---|---|
| Probability | .4456 | .8144 |
| 1. Tom Mix | 6 |
|---|---|
| 2. Knock at the door | 4 |
| 3. Winnie the Pooh | 42 |
| 4. Turn on the screw | 62 |
| 5. Danny La Rue | 52 |
26 – Half a crown
This saying comes from predecimalization (old money), where two shillings and sixpence made up half a crown.
There are some numbers which are famous for being “lucky”, for example, lucky number 7. In fact, according to statistics, the number which most players choose when playing the lottery number is 11 followed by lucky number 7.
How many numbers in a row to win bingo? ›If your cards have that combination, mark the number with your dauber. Example: If “B-7” is called, mark B-7 on your card. Mark your cards quickly! The winner is the first person to cover five spaces in a row — vertical, horizontal or diagonal — in basic Bingo.
What does 69 mean in bingo? ›69 – Favourite of mine. 70 – Three score and ten. 71 – Bang on the drum. 72 – Six dozen. 73 – Queen bee.
Is there a pattern to bingo? ›Bingo Card Patterns are limited only by the creativity of the human mind. Some cards already have the pattern you need highlighted for easier play, but almost always you will start with a blank card.
What is the secret to winning bingo? ›
Don't Skimp on the Cards
The more bingo cards you hold, the better your odds of winning. After all, if a number shouted isn't on one card, it almost certainly will be on a subsequent one. The more bingo cards you have to choose from, the better your chances of making a pattern.
So, back to the big question – is bingo a game of chance or skill? The answer is that the outcome is determined entirely by luck (or lack thereof!). Since numbers are chosen randomly, it's impossible to influence the game's course or conclusion in any way – although there are ways to improve your chances of winning.
What are the best chances of winning at bingo? ›The more tickets you buy, the more your odds increase. You can also boost your chances by playing with smaller groups of people. If there are more people playing at the same time, the game will end quicker than if there are just a few people.
Do numbers repeat in bingo? ›There are no duplicate numbers on a Bingo card. There are about 155 × 145 × 135 × 125 × 11 4 possible arrangements of the numbers on a bingo card. Before the game starts, each player is given a Bingo card. The game also has a "caller", who issues a list of all the integers between 1 and 75 in random order.
What is the fastest bingo pattern? ›Four Corners
This pattern is used in 75 ball bingo and is often the quickest to complete as it only requires four numbers. A four corners pattern will usually need to be completed within a certain number of balls in order to win.
The minimum number of called numbers is five (four if each number is under "N") although it is not considered Breaking the Bubble or possible until one number in each column or four/five numbers in a single column have been called.
What is a lucky 7 in bingo? ›A Lucky 7 Bingo bet is named after the pattern made on the betting slip. There are 7 selections in a 3×3 grid with two squares left empty. It is made up of 1 sevenfold, 1 fivefold, 2 trebles and 9 doubles.
Does everyone have the same numbers in bingo? ›However, while the number combination of each card is unique, the number of winning cards is not.
What is 66 called in bingo? ›Number 66 - Clickety click. Number 67 - Made in heaven. Number 68 - Saving grace. Number 69 - Your place or mine | The same both ways | Meal for two | Either way up.
What does 66 mean in bingo? ›| Number | Bingo Call |
|---|---|
| 65 | Old Age Pension |
| 66 | Clickety Click |
| 67 | Stairway to Heaven |
| 68 | Saving Grace |
What is the bingo call for 55? ›
| Number | Nickname | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 54 | Clean the floor | Rhymes with "(fifty) four". |
| 55 | All the fives | 55 is two fives. |
| Snakes alive | Rhymes with "(fifty) five". | |
| 56 | Shotts bus | Refers to the former number of the bus from Glasgow to Shotts. |
Number 9 – Doctor's Orders supposedly comes from the slang term for a laxative pill given to troops by army doctors in World War II. Gross.
Is bingo 100% luck? ›They won't guarantee you a win, and unlike strategies for games like poker, they also won't guarantee that your chances of winning will keep improving. This is because bingo will always be a game of luck, and you can't get better at games of chance.
How do you win bingo each time? ›- Buy more cards.
- Pick the best seat in the house.
- Come fully equipped.
- Play with fewer people.
- Learn the rules.
Every BINGO game has a winning card, so a player's chances of winning depend on the number of cards in the game and how many cards s/he is playing. For example, if a player has 12 cards in a game with 1200 cards, the chances of winning for that player is 1 in 100.
What is 44 called in bingo? ›44. Droopy Drawers. Along with number 11, a droopy drawers visualisation always elicits a few giggles from the crowd of bingo players in the hall.
Why do people say 40 at bingo? ›Forty. Some say life begins at conception, some say it begins at birth. But for the bingo callers of the Continent, “Life begins” at 40!
What are wild numbers in bingo? ›The wild number is the number played on a double bingo that leads into a triple bingo. The first number out of the hopper determines the wild number. For example, if 42 is drawn, all numbers ending in 2 should be marked off.
What is regular bingo pattern? ›The seven regular ways to bingo consist of; Horizontal line, Vertical Line, Diagonal Line, 4 in the corners, Postage Stamp(in corners only), Small Plus Sign and Small Letter x. In a Seven regular ways game any one of these patterns constitutes a bingo.
How do you jackpot in bingo? ›To win, all you have to do is get full house in a specified number of balls or less. In a pattern game the jackpot can only be claimed by a coverall win within the stipulated ball count. Patterns which are not coverall will not result in a jackpot win.
What is the lucky charm to win bingo? ›
Troll dolls and rabbits' feet are the most common luck-bringing items, but bingo players find inspiration and hopefulness in a vast variety of baubles. Some bingo buffs bring a Beanie Baby or two; others set up elaborate shrines.
How many bingo cards should I buy? ›The best online bingo rooms allow you to buy at least one card to get into a game, but you can buy up to 96 cards per game! The number of cards you buy is really up to you as a player. Many people agree the sweet spot is around six cards per game.
Is bingo good for the brain? ›Cognitive Abilities Are Boosted.
Simply put, playing bingo can improve your brain's processing speeds, alertness, and memory capabilities, according to a study. Bingo requires players to be skillful listeners and to have the ability to look for numbers quickly, many times across multiple cards.
Researchers around the world have found that playing Bingo has multiple health benefits for older adults. You can build social connections, increase hand-eye coordination, and maintain your cognitive abilities and focus. Just think about the concentration it takes to manage multiple boards!
What does 4 corners mean in bingo scratch off? ›If on any one of the four "CARDS 1-4," you match all numbers in a complete horizontal, vertical or diagonal line; four corners; or an "X" (includes eight numbers + "FREE" space), you win prize in the prize legend corresponding to that card. 5. The "MONEY BAG" symbol is a FREE spot.
Is it better to have more cards in bingo? ›Playing multiple cards increases your odds to win, but also increases the cost to play. If there are 100 Bingo cards and you increase the cards you play from 1 card to 5, your odds go up from 1 in 100 to 5 in 100. Your cost of play also increased by 5 times without any guarantee of winning.
What is the best day to play bingo? ›Friday and Saturday nights are often quieter with the younger generation of weekend Bingo players because they frequently use this time of the week to go out, socialise, have drinks or dinner with friends and will not be sat at home playing on their mobile devices in a Bingo room.
What are the odds of getting bingo in 24 numbers? ›| Balls | Bingo on Last Ball | Bingo on or Before Last Ball |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | 0.0058355802 | 0.0287100336 |
| 22 | 0.0069061107 | 0.0356161443 |
| 23 | 0.0080963437 | 0.0437124880 |
| 24 | 0.0094079610 | 0.0531204490 |
Three to four rounds will take about an hour, and you can choose to end the night early with three rounds if they took longer than expected. All in all, flexibility is key, so monitor according to the mood of the event! Make sure to have additional cards on standby too, in case more rounds are played than expected.
How many numbers are in each row of bingo? ›Each row contains five numbers and four blank spaces randomly distributed along the row. Numbers are apportioned by column (1–9, 10–19, 20–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, 70–79 and 80–90).
What is 72 in bingo? ›
...
Calls.
| Number | Nickname | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 72 | Six dozen | 6 × 12 = 72. Refer to 12 above. |
| 73 | Queen bee | Rhymes with "(seventy) three". |
| Under the tree. |
Patterns are formed as you daub off the matching numbers on your ticket when they're called out and come in a variety of shapes and forms. Depending on what type of bingo you're playing, the pattern that you'll need to make in order to win can change.
Can numbers repeat in bingo? ›There are no duplicate numbers on a Bingo card. There are about 155 × 145 × 135 × 125 × 11 4 possible arrangements of the numbers on a bingo card.
How to win bingo easily? ›- Buy more cards.
- Pick the best seat in the house.
- Come fully equipped.
- Play with fewer people.
- Learn the rules.
How long does a bingo game take to play? The average National Bingo Game lasts for under 10 minutes and is part of a number of games of bingo played during a session. However, players often arrive two hours before the game starts, to enjoy a meal or chat with friends.
How do you play dirty bingo? ›Unlike the original game, Dirty Bingo adds a much more offensive and hilarious element to it. The rules are simple – each player is given a bingo card and whenever they get a straight line, they win a special prize.
What does O 69 mean in bingo? ›68 – Saving Grace. 69 – Favourite of mine. 70 – Three score and ten. 71 – Bang on the drum.
What is 55 called in bingo? ›The number two looks like a duck, providing the nickname “one little duck” as an alternative call. The number five appears to be a snake, so the number 55 is “snakes alive” because the figure combines the shape with the rhyme. Anything with the number eight can refer to a fat lady.