Introduction
Have you ever wondered how bingo works? Then you're not alone. With so many different bingo games now available at online bingo sites, it can be tricky to know where to start. In this guide, I'll walk you through the most popular types of bingo games and talk about how they work and what makes each game variant unique.
Whether you're brand new or looking to try a new variant, this is your go-to guide on the different types of bingo games - complete with rules, how to win, top tips, and the best sites to play each game variant.
If you're also looking to get started with one of the top bingo sites, check out the latest bingo bonuses at OLBG.
Types Of Bingo Games
90 Ball Bingo
At OLBG, we're all about helping you play bingo with confidence. I'm Jenny Mason - I’ve spent 17 years in the gaming industry, not just as a Content Manager and Writer but across a mix of exciting roles that have given me a real behind-the-scenes view of what makes the bingo world tick.
Everything you’ll find in this guide draws from real experience - and to keep things bang up to date, my OLBG colleague Sam Darkens has fact-checked the lot, so you know you’re getting tips you can trust.
90-ball bingo is the classic UK version and the most widely played bingo game online and at bingo halls. The 90-ball bingo tickets have 15 numbers arranged across 3 rows and 9 columns. Numbers are called from 1 to 90.
Rules For 90-Ball Bingo
- The numbers are automatically marked off as you hear the bingo calls when you play online.
- You can often buy a strip of 6 tickets, which guarantees every number from 1 to 90 will appear somewhere within the set. Every bingo call will mark at least one number on your tickets (6 x 15 = 90).
How To Win 90-Ball Bingo
- One Line: If you mark off a full horizontal line of five numbers on your ticket.
- Two Lines: You win if you mark off two full horizontal lines on the same ticket.
- Full House: This is the top prize when you mark off all 15 numbers on a single ticket.
Where To Play 90-Ball Bingo
You can play 90-ball bingo at all UK bingo sites, as it's the most popular variant of bingo. Here’s a selection of some top sites including their latest welcome bonuses:
- Wide choice of bingo rooms and bingo variants
- Excellent welcome bonus
80 Ball Bingo
80-ball bingo sits right in the middle of 75 and 90 ball formats. Played on a 4x4 grid, tickets have 16 numbers, and draws range from 1 to 80. The tickets are helpfully filled in with different coloured columns to help you play: red, yellow, blue and white. When 80-ball bingo is played in the bingo halls, when the numbers are drawn, the caller shouts out the number and colour, so expect ‘red 8’ or ‘white 63.’
Rules For 80-Ball Bingo
- Mark off numbers on a 4x4 ticket.
- Common winning patterns include rows, columns, diagonals, and full house.
How To Win 80-Ball Bingo
- 1 Line: You win if you are the first to complete a 4-number line in any direction.
- 2 Lines: Mark off 2 lines on your card which can be in any direction.
- Patterns: A popular pattern is 4 corners marking the 4 corners of the card. There are also ‘squares’ of 4 numbers in the middle.
- Full House: If you mark off all 16 numbers on your card, you win the big prize.
Where To Play 80-Ball Bingo
- Comprehensive Loyalty Scheme
- Generous Welcome Bonus
75 Ball Bingo
75-ball bingo is hugely popular in the US but has also found a loyal following among UK players. The 75-ball bingo game features a 5x5 grid with 24 numbers (and one free centre square), using numbers from 1 to 75. Each of the 5 columns is labelled with BINGO to help you locate your numbers quickly.
Rules For 75-Ball Bingo
- When playing online the numbers are automatically marked off as you hear the bingo number calls.
- You can buy a strip, which is a set of 3 bingo tickets; this ensures a better number coverage across your tickets.
How To Win 75-Ball Bingo
- 1 Line: 1 complete row, which can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal.
- 2 Lines or a Pattern: marking off 2 full lines or a specific pattern leads to a win. Popular patterns include letters and fun shapes like diamonds or stars.
- Full House: If you mark off all numbers on the bingo ticket, you win the game’s top prize.
Where To Play 75-Ball Bingo
75-ball bingo is one of the most popular bingo game variants around so you’ll find it at all bingo sites. Here’s a selection:
- Top-rated iOS & Android apps
- 24/7 live chat support
- huge range of payment options
- 24/7 customer support
- Live chat daily between 9 am and 11 pm
- 1,000+ games
50 Ball Bingo
50-ball bingo is a niche variant in the online bingo world. It can be found at a small selection of online bingo sites. The 50-ball bingo game is quicker than classic 90-ball bingo, but not quite as turbo-charged as the 30-ball speed bingo version.
Rules For 50-Ball Bingo
- Each bingo ticket has 10 squares laid out in 2 rows of 5, with numbers from 1 to 50.
- Each of the 10 squares shows a random number, and there are no gaps.
How To Win 50-Ball Bingo
- 1 Line: If you are the first player to mark off all numbers on one line, you win this prize.
- Full house/2 Lines: Here, you need to mark off all the numbers on your bingo ticket to trigger a win.
Where To Play 50-Ball Bingo
50-ball bingo isn't as widely available as some bingo variants. However, some of the Pragmatic Play bingo software sites offer these games, which you can see below.
- Wide range of promotions
- ‘Trophies’ loyalty scheme
30 Ball Bingo
Also known as speed bingo, 30-ball bingo is the fastest game you’ll find online. Each bingo ticket has just 9 numbers on a 3x3 grid, and the goal is to complete the full house. Each game is quick and only takes up to 2 minutes.
Rules For 30-Ball Bingo
- The 30-ball bingo tickets are made up of a 3 x 3 grid with 9 squares, there are no gaps on the ticket.
- The 3 columns are organised in tens, they are grouped like this: 1 to 10, 11 to 20 and 21 to 30.
How To Win 30-Ball Bingo
if you’re the first bingo player to mark off all 9 numbers on your ticket, you get the ‘full house’ and win the game.
Where To Play 30-Ball Bingo
30-ball bingo is available at many UK bingo sites, bingo sites using the Pragmatic Play bingo software are particularly enjoyable for this type of bingo game. Try playing at these sites:
- Wide choice of bingo rooms and bingo variants
- Excellent welcome bonus
Top Tips For Playing Online Bingo
Here are some tips you help you make the most of your online bingo experience:
🎁 Make Use of Bingo Site Promotions and Bonuses
All online bingo sites offer a selection of promos to attract and retain their bingo players. So make use of these, as you might be able to enjoy free bingo games or cheaper bingo tickets, including penny tickets
🤫Play Bingo At Quieter Times
Like when you're going out out, peak bingo times are Friday and Saturday nights, so it's a good idea to play during quieter times as there are fewer players to compete with. However, at these times prizes will be smaller too.
👭 Join In With A Bingo Community
Community is a huge element of any bingo site so if you fancy it, you can join in with the chat rooms in the bingo rooms where you can speak to fellow bingo players and take part on chat games for extra rewards. There are also bustling social media groups - especially on Facebook - that are worth checking out.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it - the wonderful world of bingo in all its fun forms! Whether you're into the slow-and-steady vibe of 90 ball or the blink-and-you'll-miss-it pace of 30 ball, there’s a bingo room out there with your name on it.
The best way to find your favourite? Give them all a whirl! Mix it up, follow the fun, and don’t be afraid to step outside your usual dab zone. Personally, I prefer a mix of games, although my favourite is probably good ol' 90-ball bingo.
There’s always a new room, a big jackpot and sometimes even a new variant to keep things fresh.
What’s your favourite bingo game? I'd love to hear in the comments below.
