Bingo is played around the world by people of all ages. Not only is it a great way to pass the time, but you stand the chance of winning some fantastic prizes. It’s challenging and fast-paced so you’ll need to have sharp eyes and quick hand to keep up as the numbers are called out. Learn more about the different bingo games and how you can improve your odds with a proper bingo strategy.
How to play Bingo
Bingo is an incredibly easy game to play. Each player receives a card with a grid of numbers on it. Balls with corresponding numbers are drawn and read out to the audience. If the number that’s called out appears on your card, you need to mark it off. The first player to mark off a row of five numbers horizontally, vertically or diagonally wins the game.
You’ll find variations on the standard bingo format at many online and traditional casinos. These include:
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90-ball Bingo
This variation originated in the UK, but is now played across Europe and in Australia and New Zealand. In this variation, each card consists of three rows and nine columns. Each row has five squares with random numbers and four blank squares. You can win prizes by matching different variations such as all the numbers in a row, 10 numbers in a row of 15 numbers in a row.
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80-ball Bingo
In this variation the cards have 16 squares (four rows and four columns). The columns are often printed in different colours which makes it easier for players to find the number they need to mark off. Once again, there are different ways to win in 80-ball bingo. Make sure you know what pattern you’re supposed to match before you start playing.
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30-ball Bingo
This is the fastest version of online bingo available which is why it’s sometime referred to as ‘speed bingo’. There are only three rows and three columns on each card for a total of nine numbers. In most casino’s, the only way to win is to mark off all of the numbers on your card.
Bingo strategy and tips
There aren’t many ways to improve your odds in bingo, but here are two small things you can try:
Play smaller groups
With fewer players, you have a better chance of winning. Unfortunately, it’s a very popular game. So try to play during the week, or at odd hours when fewer people are likely to be playing with you.
Play multiple cards
It stands to reason that the more cards you have the more chances you have to win. While more expensive cards offer better prizes, it might be better to spend your money on additional cards with smaller prizes. But make sure you can cope with looking for a number across multiple cards
Granville’s strategy
Joseph E. Granville was a financial writer from the United States. He developed a strategy used by stock market analysts to predict the movement of prices. But he also devoted some of time to the study of bingo. He determined that some patterns give players better odds. If you want to try his strategy for yourself, you should look for bingo cards that:
- Have an equal number of high and low numbers
- Have an equal number of odd and even numbers
- Have the same amount of numbers ending in 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.
Tippet’s strategy
Tippet was a British statistician who analyzed bingo variations and developed the following strategy:
- If you’re playing a shorter game, look for bingo cards with numbers closer to 1 and 75.
- If you’re playing a longer game, choose a card where all the numbers add up to around 38.
Shorter games are those where you can win simply by marketing off a few of the numbers on your card such as five in a row. A longer game is one that requires you to mark off every number on your card such as ‘blackout bingo’.
Most casinos will allow you to swap your card for another one if you’re not happy with it.
