Bingo is a game of chance that has become increasingly popular in the US. To play the game usually every player has a card with a numbered grid while a designated person (the ‘banker’) extracts the numbers randomly – usually up to 75 or 90. The ways of winning depend on the type of game, but the most popular are the ‘line’ and the ‘card’. The player completes a line or a card and shouts Bingo to announce his win to everyone.
Regardless of the variation of bingo you choose to play, it is a game designed to be enjoyed. Read on to find the different variations of bingo that can be played online.
From the Lotto to the Bit
The origins of Bingo can be traced back to 16th century Italy as Il Gioco del Lotto d’Italia, evolving from the Italian lottery. Players chose numbers, awaiting their call for a win. The game spread to France, becoming Le Lotto and gaining popularity among the aristocracy. This French version introduced cards with numbers in vertical and horizontal lines, similar to the 90-ball Bingo played in Britain.
By the 18th century, Bingo had reached the UK, becoming a popular social activity. People played in ballrooms and hotels, competing for prizes like cash and luxury vacations. Its appeal continued to grow across Europe. Bingo arrived in the US in the 1920s, brought to carnivals by Hugh J. Ward. The UK’s 1960s Betting and Gaming Act legalised large cash prizes, boosting Bingo’s popularity. Today Bingo online is played by people all around world thanks to the several versions of the game available.
90-ball Bingo
The most popular types of Bingo games are the 90-ball variants. These variants are usually the ones that are also most common in land-based bingo halls.
This type of bingo usually starts with 90 balls in the pot. Each card has three rows with five numbers, therefore there are 15 numbers in total per card. The prizes for this type of Bingo are several, which means more chances to win for the lucky players. The first prize is when a player completes one horizontal row while completing two horizontal rows grants you a second prize. Completing a full card – every number on the card is covered – it’s a full house: the highest prize of the game. If two people win a full house at the same time, usually the prize is split between the two.
In the digital age you no longer have to venture out to go to a bingo hall. There are countless 90-ball bingo games online and many include a chat room option so you will still have the social aspect of playing the game.
80-ball Bingo
The main games developed by online Bingo operators are 80-ball Bingo type of games. This game has grown in popularity over the years because of its exciting ever-changing pattern. Before the game wins players will be shown a specific pattern that needs to be completed in order to win. The card for this game has a grid of 4×4, containing 16 numbers.
To win this game there are several possible combinations, amongst all: marking the four corners, specific numbers, vertical lines, and horizontal lines.
75-ball Bingo
The 75-ball Bingo are the most popular variants of the game in the US. These types of Bingo are the most common after the 90-ball ones adding a more interesting turn with a different grid. The main way to win these games is to get a full house, matching all the numbers on the card.
These variants of the game has a blank square in the middle, allowing for many other prizes, like matching horizontal lines, diagonal lines and vertical lines. The cards for 75-ball Bingo are usually 5×5, with 24 numbers to cross.
30-ball Bingo
Thanks to the Internet, versions of Bingo online developed in quick sessions that climax really fast. The 30-ball variants have just 30 balls in the pot, making the game much quicker. The only price in this style of Bing is full house and the cards have fewer numbers: a 3×3 grid with just 9 numbers.
Conclusion
Expanding from country to country Bingo developed other variants becoming the game we know today. Not only that, arriving online, many different styles have started to become popular, with several new audiences accessing the game and trying to meet different needs.
Whether you go to a bingo hall to play it, your pub quiz night or simply want to enjoy it from your own home online. Bingo will never fail to be great source of entertainment and will always be a generation favourite for years to come. With new themes and variations of the games being brought out, it will always remain relevant and on trend.
What variation of the game will you try next?
