Bingo Rules
The game of Bingo has been played for many years and for many people the game originates back in the early 1500’s. Over the years the game has developed versions which are unique to different countries and regions of the world, but at the heart of the game, the objective remains the same in matching specified numbers called out at random to the numbers allocated to your card.
Most bingo games that are played around the world will be primarily based upon either the American or UK version of the game. The American version of the game will see the player given a card with 24 numbers placed in a 5 x 5 grid, with the centre square left blank as a free square.
The 5 columns represent a letter of the word BINGO and the 5 rows are used to allocate random numbers from a predetermined selection.
The five rows below the letter B, will include random numbers from 1-15, the rows below I, will have random numbers from 16-30. The rows below N will have 4 numbers between 31-45 including the blank centre square which is a free space. Rows below G, include numbers between 46-60 and in the five rows below O, will contain random numbers between 61-75.
Once allocated a card the player will join with other players to listen to the numbers 1-75 being called at random, depending on the pattern being played will determine when BINGO should be called. In this version there are many different patterns which are played for and the pattern being played should be made known to all players prior to the game starting.
For example BINGO may be called only when all five of the top row numbers have been called, or perhaps the numbers in your four corners have been called. The patterns are numerous and vary from hall to hall or between internet sites so make sure you know what pattern you are playing for. It is also worth mentioning that the patterns change during the night or day in some areas, so again make sure you understand at all times the patterns which make a BINGO call successful.
The UK version is a little easier in that there are nine columns with only three rows. Each column again relates to a group of predetermined numbers. For example column one will contain a random number or several numbers between 1-9, column two will also contain a number or numbers between 10-19 and so on until the ninth column which will contain numbers between 80-90.
The main difference with the UK version is that each row must contain only 5 random numbers across the nine columns. This leads to each card having a total of 15 random numbers from 1-90 and again the player takes their card to join the other players as they listen to the numbers 1-90 being called at random.
Once all numbers on the card have been called the player should then call BINGO to claim their prize. It is common in this version of BINGO for players to play with multiple cards, with many choosing to play with six cards of 15 numbers as this covers the numbers 1-90 although they are randomly placed over the six cards.
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