Which Bingo Game Is Best for You?

Over the last few years, the gambling industry has witnessed a real explosion in the popularity of online bingo and the game is big business now, according to the research company YouGov. Naturally, since demand has increased, operators are doing their level best to cater to the market, meaning there’s a whole host online bingo games bursting onto the scene, with specially designed and developed graphics, themes and features, all to suit their target market and delight the players. This article looks at the different types of bingo game out there, how to play and for whom they might be the most suitable.

90 Ball Bingo

90 Ball bingo is a real hit with players and, if you’re a stickler for the traditional, you might prefer this one because it’s the most traditional form of the game. It takes its name from the fact there are 90 numbers and, as you’d expect, they’re numbered from 1 to 90. The player chooses six cards — each with three lines, which consist of five squares that all contain a number, and nine segments— and matches the numbers called out with the numbers on their card. You can win by getting a diagonal, vertical or horizontal line of cards. The first player to get a line of numbers corresponding to the numbers called (or generated if you’re online) wins.

75 Ball Bingo

The 75 ball variation of bingo is a bit like the 90 ball version, only there are 75 possible numbers and the format is 5×5. The squares are set out in different segments, each section labelled with an initial that spells out the word ‘bingo’. The bingo caller announces the letter and number combination and the player must mark it off on their card. It’s possible to win with a horizontal, vertical or diagonal line, or with the four corner numbers. Crossing off all four corners of the card is one of the quickest, easiest ways to win the game.

Coverall Bingo

If you’re looking to win big money playing bingo, this could be the game for you. People also refer to the game as ‘Full Slot Bingo’ or, in the US, as ‘Power Outage’ and the aim of the game is to cover every single square on the card, which is how you win. Although there are no progressive jackpots on the game, if no one wins the jackpot rolls over to the next week. In some coverall bingo games, the jackpot is significant. You should build up a little experience in the game first, by starting off with one card and then, as you get more confident and used to the game, by taking on various cards.

5-Line Bingo

5-Line bingo is closer to 90-ball bingo than to the 75 ball version and there are no free squares on the card. It’s a fast-paced game and will go on until all the numbers have been called, which makes it ideal if you’re looking for a bit of intensity or excitement and don’t mind a bit of tension while you’re playing. To achieve the first bingo, players try to make a horizontal column and then will concentrate on making two, three, four and five lines. If a player can make a horizontal line correspond with a vertical one, they can fill more lines with fewer numbers and, as a result, have more chance of winning.

Bingo-U-Pick-Them

This is close to a lottery in terms of the style of the game and is ideal for a player who wants to feel they’re more in control of their destiny rather than count on nothing but sheer luck. The card consists of a two-part set, one for gaming and the other for validation. The player gets to choose the numbers they think will be the lucky ones to come up. They select their numbers from five games and the cards are legal only on the date the bingo operator issues them.

Bingo Origins and Reaching Younger Generations

The game has come a long way since its origins back in the 16th century, when it was based on the Italian lottery. Back then it was called ‘Le Lotto’ and drew on aspects from lottery games, such as Italy’s ‘Lo Giuco del Lotto d’Italia’. The game spread in France and became popular with the nobility. In some countries, bingo has come up against resistance, but as laws have loosened up, it has become more popular and people of all ages can enjoy it.

Technology has had considerable influence on this. YouGov research has shown that younger adults of between 25 and 34 years of age are the players most likely to be playing bingo online. 28% of the people who took part in the research and admitted to playing bingo online came under this age group. This was just 2% more than the next age demographic of 34 to 44. The data analysts have attributed this to the accessibility of online bingo on smartphones.

Even so, it doesn’t mean this is the end of traditional bingo halls. Three in ten online players — 28% — had gone into a bingo club in the last 12 months, which was significantly higher than the general public (6%). The research also found that online players are also more open to other types of gambling on- and offline. They were more likely to have played blackjack or roulette on a mobile or gaming website (38 vs 5%) in the last 12 months, or to have played the National Lottery (69% vs 47%).

Bingo has it all – intensity and excitement, tradition and a hint of nostalgia and chances to win big jackpots. Best of all, in this digital age of ours it’s more accessible than ever. It all depends what you’re looking for from the game. You can try the variations above to see which one suits you the most or, if you’re already familiar with these and are looking for something new, you could give Bonanza Bingo or Stallion Race Bingo a blast and see how you get on.