Different Types of Bingo Games

Bingo is an exciting game, despite its simplicity. When playing online it’s even more exciting, because there’s an interesting and varied selection of games you can play.

Most sites have dozens upon dozens of different games so it’s almost impossible to get bored. You could play a different game every day for a year at some sites and still not play them all.

We couldn’t even begin to start listing each and every bingo game you’ll find online, because it would take us forever to finish.

Besides, there are lots of bingo sites on the web and most of them regularly introduce new games. Even if we did compile a list it would soon be out of date.

What we can do, though, is tell you about the main types of bingo games. These are 30 ball, 75 ball, 80 ball, and 90 ball.

The rules for each of these are pretty much the same; it’s always about marking off numbers on game cards, but there are some differences between them. We’ve explained a little bit about each type below.

30 Ball Bingo

This type of bingo is also known as speed bingo. This is because, with just 30 balls in play, the games are really quick. At the moment the number of games like this type are pretty low at most sites, and some sites don’t even offer any 30 ball games at all.

There are several that have a good selection though, and it’s growing in popularity all the time.

Game cards in 30 ball contain nine numbers, filling each square in a three square by three square grid. There’s usually only one prize up for grabs in each game, and that’s awarded to the first player to mark of all their numbers.

75 Ball Bingo

75 ball is generally accepted as the game of choice in the United States. That’s certainly where it’s the most popular among players. You’ll find many variations of this game at most sites, and particularly at those that market towards US players.

The game cards contain five columns and five rows, for a total of 25 squares. The middle square is blank and the other 24 each contain a number. The letters B, I, N, G, O appear at the top of the columns, and each column contains numbers from a specific range. The B column is for numbers 1-15, the I column for numbers 16-30, and so on.

The traditional rules of 75 ball are that the first player to mark off any complete line: horizontally, vertically or diagonally – is the winner. These days there are different patterns that can be required to win a game. These vary from one version of the game to another.

80 Ball Bingo

This type of game was developed specifically for playing online and has proved to be very popular. As such, you’ll find many variations of 80 ball bingo at most sites.

It’s played using game cards containing a grid four squares by four squares, with one number in each grid square for a total of 16 numbers.

Just like in 75 ball bingo, the cards are always arranged so that each column contains only numbers from within a specific range. The first column is for the numbers 1-20, the second column is for the numbers 21-40, and so on. As always the winner is the first to mark off the required pattern on their game card.

Again like in 75 ball, the patterns required will be different depending on which variation of the game is being played. Common patterns include a vertical line, a horizontal line, all four corners, or even every single number.

90 Ball Bingo

90 ball is the game of choice in several regions including the United Kingdom and Australia. Most bingo sites have at least a few variations of 90 ball bingo, and some of them offer a great many.

It’s by no means a complicated form of bingo, but this type of game is ever so slightly less simple than the others as there are usually three rounds.

The game cards used each contain 15 numbers. There are five numbers in each one of the three rows on the card, spread randomly across nine columns. With 90 balls in play the numbers are between 1 and 90. Each column can only contain numbers from within a specified range. The first column is for numbers 1-9, the second column is for numbers 10-19, and so on.

• Typically the first round is won by the first player to mark off a complete horizontal line.

That player wins a prize.

• The second round is then won by the first player to mark two complete horizontal lines, who also wins a prize.

Usually this is a little larger than the prize for winning the first round.

• The third round is then won by the player who marks of all their numbers first.

They will win the largest prize.

These are the traditional rules, but they are by no means set in stone and there are different variations where other rules apply.