Bingo Online Guide: Our Expert Tips and Tricks to Get Started
Bingo is known to be a game that has been enjoyed for decades and is often played for prizes or even cash. What bingo is, is a game that involves numbers that need to be matched on a special card, and when a player manages to match the most numbers then they’re the winner. Bingo used to be enjoyed primarily in a bingo hall, but now it’s offered at a variety of online casinos too, along with a wide range of variations that may have a particular theme to entice a variety of users. The game itself has evolved into what it is today, and in this segment, we’ll be discussing everything relevant to it.
It’s a common misconception that the game of bingo is reserved for those who are in the twilight of their lives, as it can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Bingo also has a long and rich history and being a game that’s been developed and perfected over hundreds of years, it has a long story to tell.
The Origins and Evolution of Bingo
Bingo can be traced back to the 1500s in Italy where a version of it was played in a lottery format. Bingo then spread to France where it was referred to as ‘Le Lotto’, during the 1700s and it was commonly associated with the elite French at the time. During the 1800s, the Germans adopted the game as a learning tool for children where it used to help children learn subjects such as mathematics, history, and spelling.
Bingo found its way to the USA where it was called beano, and it was first enjoyed at a carnival in the city of Atlanta, Georgia. It was only called bingo after Edwin S. Lowe renamed it when he heard someone shout “Bingo” instead of “Beano” by accident. Lowe saw this as an opportunity to capitalize on the name and was assisted by a mathematics professor that went by Carl Leffler. Together they increased the variety of combinations of the bingo cards to 6,000. After the game spread through the US, a fresh variation of the game was issued, and through its dominance, it spread to a variety of regions such as the UK.
The advancements made in technology meant that players were able to enjoy different varieties of the game. And with new technology, came improvements that were made. These improvements came in the form of more advanced draw machines, that have indirectly paved the way for the RNG (Random Number Generator) which keeps the game fair and completely random. At the moment, there are a variety of online operators that offer bingo games, and they’re just as fun, and even easier to play than its analog predecessors.
Bingo is one of the most popular games of chance available today, not just in Canada, but all across the world. The reason for this is that it’s easy to understand, which makes it a game that’s enjoyable by players of all ages. There are also dedicated bingo platforms available online that cater to those who love the game and all of its variations. And while there’s so much more that could be said about the history and evolution of the game, we’ll be moving on to a more exciting category.
Bingo Variations
As with most games, there are plenty of variations of bingo available, and while there are simply too many to mention, we’ll be taking a look at the most popular variations enjoyed today, as well as how they’re played.
With each variation of bingo, certain elements make it stand out from the rest and you’ll need to decide which version appeals to you the most. Each variation is also played at a different pace, and the type of player you are will determine which of the aforementioned games will be best for you.
Passing Bingo
One of the more intriguing bingo variations, passing bingo is played by eliminating each player that gets bingo from the game and the last player in the game is the winner. What makes this game so interesting is the fact that you’ll have to lose to win. The rules of the game are identical to all other variations, but you should always pay attention to how the numbers are required to be marked off.
Bingo Bonanza
As with most games, there are plenty of variations of bingo available, and while there are simply too many to mention, we’ll be taking a look at the most popular variations enjoyed today, as well as how they’re played.
30 Ball Bingo
As the name implies, this variation of bingo consists of 30 balls. The games are usually incredibly quick and this is what entices players to get involved in the action. 30 ball bingo cards are made up of a mere 9 numbers and the winner is the first person to get all 9 numbers that are called by the host of the game.
75 Ball Bingo
This variation of bingo consists of cards that have 5 columns and 5 rows which has a total of 25 numbers. There’s also a blank square in the center of the card and with 24 numbers around it. The letters which spell out “BINGO” are at the top of the columns with each column containing a number within a particular range. The first player able to complete a line, horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, wins.
80 Ball Bingo
80 Ball Bingo is designed for online use and has become one of the most popular bingo variations available today. The tickets consist of 4 rows and 4 columns, all of which add up to 16 squares. Each column lists numbers within a particular range and the first player to mark off the pattern, which will be specified in the rules of the game, is the winner.
90 Ball Bingo
90 Ball Bingo differs from the other games in the sense that a game is generally made up of 3 rounds and the cards consist of just 15 numbers. The catch is that the numbers range from 1 to 90. Just like other variations of bingo, each column consists of a particular range of numbers, and the first player to match a horizontal line wins the first round. The first player to match 2 horizontal lines will win the second round, and the third round is won by the player that manages to match all the numbers on his or her card. Each round has a prize to be won and the higher the round the bigger the prize.
A Guide on How to Play Bingo Online
Before jumping into a game, you’ll need to know the rules on how to play and each game is different from the next. While there are variations that are self-explanatory there are also those that have a different set of rules. The games themselves require little to no skill; however, they do demand your complete attention and you’ll need to use your intuition to make the right calls.
How to Play 75 Ball Bingo
75 Ball Bingo has fewer numbers to keep track of and it’s played at a quicker pace than 80 and 90-Ball Bingo. The game is played on a card that has 75 numbers which are scattered across 5 columns and 5 rows, and as previously mentioned, there’s a blank square at the center of the card. Each column on the card represents a letter of the word ‘bingo’. Numbers 1 to 15 = B, 16 to 30 = I, 31 to 46 = N, 47 to 61 = G, and 62 to 75 = O.
Players enjoying this variation of bingo can buy a total of 95 tickets and be able to exchange them before the contest is started. The line patterns are the key difference between 75 and 90-Ball cards as the lines are fixed with the latter.
75 Ball Bingo requires a tremendous amount of focus and speed while being detail orientated helps too. Matching the patterns on the card will be your key to victory and they’re usually a lot of fun, with some of the patterns being humorous characters or symbols.
How to Play 80 Ball Bingo
A different variation from 90-Ball Bingo, 80-Ball Bingo consists of a card that’s equipped with four rows and columns that ultimately adds up to 16 numbers. There’s a specific color used for each column, and the colors are generally blue, yellow, red, and silver. The red column will signify numbers 1 to 20, the yellow column will signify numbers 21 to 40, the blue column will signify numbers 41 to 60, and the silver column will signify numbers 61 to 80.
If you’re the type of player that would like to enjoy this variation of bingo online then you’re in luck as you’ll be able to choose whether or not you’d want the system to select the numbers for you or if you’d prefer an interactive experience where you can do it yourself.
There are also a variety of ways numbers can be marked, they could be vertical, horizontal, or even diagonal. The selections can be made in a variety of ways such as the full house, four squares, four corners, two lines, and first-line. 80-Ball Bingo comes with a few extra features such as having mini-games within the main game.
How to Play 90 Ball Bingo
The most popular and common variation of bingo, 90-Ball Bingo cards consist of 9 columns and 3 rows, with each row being equipped with 5 numbers to make a total of 15 numbers on the card. The numbers selected will establish if you win a full house, a row, a line, or two lines. Sometimes a single row will be enough to win; however, there will be times where you’ll have to select more than a row to stand a chance of winning.
There are maximum and minimum jackpots with each game and the prize pot will be determined before the start of each game. As more cards are purchased, the more the price increases, but if you’re new to bingo, it’s highly recommended that you don’t exceed three cards.
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Bingo Online
Online bingo is essentially traditional bingo that’s played on a computer; however, the online variation offers many more assortments of bingo games. This is also paired with faster loading times, a secure platform, bonus offers, and an overall more convenient experience. As we’ve mentioned before, bingo is incredibly easy to play and apart from the jargon that comes with it, new players will get the hang of it rather quickly. With online gaming becoming more popular as time goes by, we’re certain that there will be more bingo titles being released in Canada shortly.
Getting Started with Online Bingo
Playing online bingo for real money or for free, if you’re just looking for a new pastime, is quite simple as all you’ll need to do is choose a bingo site. Once you’ve done this, one of the most important things to do is read through the terms and conditions of the site and pay close attention to whether or not it’s a licensed operator. Additional features such as seasonal promotions and welcome bonuses are fantastic; however, you’ll also need to look at the available banking methods, along with customer support, and overall user security. Overall, the site needs to appeal to you, or else you’ll find yourself having a bad time.
Signing Up
A simple procedure that takes a few minutes, signing up should be the easiest part of this process as all you’ll need to do is fill in the relevant data. Upon the activation of your account, you should be able to customize your account settings which are proven to make your experience more enjoyable. If you’d like, you’ll also be able to select a unique alias along with an avatar as a means of customization.
Also, ensure that your password is strong enough, and it’s probably a good idea to set up some form of parental control if you’re playing on a device that your child has access to. Finally, we get to a vital part of setting into the new site and that’s setting limits on how much you’ll be able to spend on the site. Daily, weekly and monthly amounts can be set, this is an excellent way to enforce healthy betting habits.
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Bonuses
The bingo site you’ll sign up with will most likely have some form of welcome bonus or package available that comes in the form of a deposit match bonus, or a series of them, or perhaps even a cashback bonus that comes with free bingo cards. The thing with bonuses is that it’s really easy to get sucked into the idea of free money; however, the terms and conditions of the bonus are usually nearby and you need to understand what it means before attempting to use it.
Navigating the Bingo Site
Being new to a bingo site means that you’re going to have to take a look around and identify yourself with what’s offered in terms of the game selection and the available promotions. Most Canadian bingo sites are equipped with useful tabs which make it easier for you to work your way around the site. An important part of the bingo site that you’ll need to become well-acquainted with is the bingo schedule, which essentially informs you of all the bingo games of that specific day or week.
The lobby of the site acts as the “Town Square” and you’ll be able to find everything you’re looking for from that point.
Selecting a Payment Method
Depending on what’s been made available by the bingo site, making payments or withdrawals could potentially be a breeze or a complete nightmare. Below you’ll find some of the most popular banking methods in Canada.
- Paysafecard
- Ukash
- PayPal
- Skrill
- Maestro
- Visa
- MasterCard
- Visa Electron
- EntroPay
- Zimpler
- Neteller
- Payforit
- Interac
Prepaid cards are the most popular choice as it promotes healthy gambling habits and it’s incredibly secure. E-Wallets such as PayPal, Neteller, and Skrill are quite popular too, but you’d have to check if they’re allowed to be used at the bingo site, if they are, you should use them as they’re cheap and quite secure. Debit and credit cards are two of the most secure methods, but they can become incredibly expensive to use regularly and the pending time for withdrawal could also take up to a week, sometimes longer.
How to Play
While we’ve covered the basic rules regarding some of the variations, it’s only necessary to cover all of them as a whole. This should give you a basic understanding of how to play the game as a whole, irrespective of which variation it is.
- Select a game that you’d like to play from what’s accessible.
- Purchase a card, if you’re playing online, it will automatically be given to you.
- When the game begins, the game host will start randomly selecting numbers. If you’re playing online, this process will be done with special software that is equipped with an RNG.
- One of the most important parts of the game is to check your bingo card if you have any of the numbers that are being called. The online variations generally feature an ‘auto-daub’ mode which marks and tracks the numbers for you.
- Depending on the variation of bingo you’re playing, once you have all of the numbers on the card marked, you’ll then be able to claim the prize relevant to the game.
- The person who manages to get a complete card first is the winner and the game automatically ends.
Bingo Game Variations
There are a variety of bingo games available, and while the basic rules of the game never change, there are additional rules that come into play. These are important to figure out before you start playing as you wouldn’t want to get caught up in a game that you’re not sure how to play.
Patterns
Patterns are an important part of bingo gameplay and you’ll need to know which direction will be allowed on the game you’re playing. These patterns can go up, down, left, right, or diagonally on the card. There are also other forms of patterns that may mimic shapes, such as triangles, crosses, circles, and more.
Letter Patterns
These are nearly identical to traditional patterns; however, you’ll need a pattern in the form of an alphabet letter to get the win.
Blackouts
This variation of bingo sees the player trying to fill the entire card to win and it’s a popular version of the game for serious bingo players, as it takes much longer to complete.
Jackpots
Each bingo game has its prize and it could be large or small depending on how many cards are purchased. Online bingo generally features three jackpot variations which we’ll list below.
Progressive Jackpots
Progressive jackpots are well-known for the fact that it increases over time and the more players that buy into the game, the more the jackpot becomes. This prize variation usually has the most excitement as neither the player nor the operator knows exactly what the total jackpot will be. Once the prize is won, the jackpot will revert to its default amount and it will build up once again.
Fixed Jackpots
As the name implies, this jackpot has a predetermined amount and it cannot be changed. This kind of jackpot can be good after progressive jackpots have been won, as you know where you stand.
Community Jackpots
This is a progressive jackpot; however, instead of one person winning the prize, it’s split amongst many players once the game ends.