World Bingo Games

There are two main world bingo games – the variation of bingo played in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, and the bingo typically played in the US and Canada. These bingo games are similar in many ways, but differ slightly in the cards they use and in the calling of numbers.

In the UK, a 90-ball version of bingo is popular. In the US and Canada, most players use a 75-ball version of the game.

Outside the UK, you won’t hear bingo callers using nearly so many nicknames for bingo numbers – especially not some of the nicknames that come from Cockney rhyming slang. Still, some of the UK bingo nicknames have spread to the four corners of the world and can be heard in bingo halls everywhere.

In Australia and New Zealand, bingo used to be known as “housie”. So rather than playing at a bingo hall, you could play the game at a housie hall.

In bingo history, the game of bingo has undergone many changes. However, its basic elements have remained the same.

World Bingo Games: Basic Format

Provided every player has a unique card, there’s almost no limit to the number of players who can participate in any given bingo game. In most bingo variations, players can have more than just one card. In fact, two to six cards is often the norm.

Traditionally, each bingo card is marked with a grid that divides it into blocks of number combinations. Often a free space – like a wild or joker space – is included at the centre. The numbers in the centre of the grid correspond to the letters ‘B’, ‘I’, ‘N’, ‘G’ and ‘O’ at the top of the card.

Before a bingo game starts, a winning pattern is established. This is the pattern you need to get by covering called numbers on your card to win. Random numbers are drawn and called.

Bingo is a game of chance, so everyone who plays has an equal chance of winning. Note that in all world bingo games, you won’t be awarded the winnings if you’re late in calling out “bingo!” If you do this after the next number has already been called, it’s too late.

Winning combinations in bingo differ from game to game. The winning combinations can be in the form of a pattern, such as the postage stamp (the top right four blocks marked on a bingo card). Other combinations are more basic, as in a line, two lines or a full house.