By Eileen Mellon
Where simplicity meets excitement, there’s bingo. The age-old game with universal appeal has evolved into an online activity you can play on your phone, choosing among the different bingo variations. Read on to discover the diversity of options and how to select the right one for you.
Traditional Bingo Games
Let’s start our exploration with the conventional types of bingo games, which have been circulating for decades and are well-known to old-school players. So, there are two orthodox versions of the game upheld by two major gaming communities: North American and British.
75-Ball Bingo
The game has been played on the North American continent for almost a century using 75 numbers. American and Canadian players are handed out cards with 25 squares, 5 vertically and 5 horizontally. Each square has a number, but the one in the center is empty.
A host or caller begins by drawing random balls numbered 1 to 75 and calling them out loud. Players immediately spot the matching numbers, crossing them out on their cards. The player who hits a valid pattern first wins, traditionally announcing that with the triumphant “Bingo!” cry.
As for the most interesting and vital part — the pattern, the 75-ball bingo game rules are quite democratic. The winner is not only a full horizontal, vertical, or diagonal line but also loads of other patterns, such as X-shaped or 0-shaped, and a blackout covering every single square.
90-Ball Bingo
The 90-ball game or bingo with numbers between 1 and 90 is the dominant version in the United Kingdom, as well as in Australia and some European nations. The standard ticket used in this game variation is a grid of 27 spaces, 3 vertically and 9 horizontally. The 15 numbers in total are randomly distributed on the ticket grid: each column has 1 to 3 digits, and each row contains 5 digits and 4 empty spaces. As for the 90-ball gameplay, it’s basically the same as in the North American version, although with some nuances.
For starters, the numbers are called out, which the participants mark off on their tickets. Then comes the three-stage winner selection: covering one 5-digit row is the first win; marking off any two rows is the second; checking off all 15 digits on the grid is a full house or an absolute win.
Modern Variations of Bingo
With the advent of digital betting and gambling, new, modernized game versions emerged, which we’ll describe below. You can find all the latest in bingo at 1xBet, an online gaming giant. The exclusive for India 1xBet page features a world of bingo novelties and timeless classics.
Speed Bingo
The name says it all: this option is designed for players who live their lives at high speeds and don’t have a lot of free time. Since there are only 30 balls or numbers drawn, the game cycle is really fast here, allowing you to complete a bunch of tickets at your convenience. A 30-ball or speed card, either virtual or physical, is a 3×3 grid producing 9 numbers in total. In this variation, the winner is the top speedster with a full house. In other words, the grand prize is yours if you check off every digit in your 9-square ticket before anyone else in the round.
Bingo Jackpot Games
If you wish to go big while adding an extra layer of excitement, you can try your hand at a bingo jackpot game. In this case, the payout is made from a common prize pool and depends on the game type and number of participants. The most popular jackpots are fixed and progressive.
In a fixed jackpot, the prize money is predetermined and known in advance and shared equally among all winners. In bingo with a progressive jackpot, the prize fund is limitless and increases with each new entry. So, the ultimate winner payout can be an incredibly tidy sum.
Specialty Bingo Games
The large and diverse family of bingo games has unique options that stand out in themes, game elements, and mechanics. The primary goal of such gambling activities is to entertain and distract rather than make a profit. That said, specialties can also have nice rewards in store.
Music Bingo
Originating from a 1950s TV show, music bingo is, first and foremost, a competition for music lovers. While a host randomly plays snippets of songs, contenders match them with the song titles on their cards. The winner is the one who covers a full line or completes a required pattern.
Picture Bingo
Whether intended for teaching kids or entertaining adults at themed parties, picture bingo works the same way. Players must match objects with images on their game boards. The items may belong to one topic or various subjects, and the winning board is the first wholly covered.
Holiday Bingo
This category is a spin-off from the picture option, in which a holiday theme, such as Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, or Halloween, ties everything together. Completing special patterns on your card with bingo chips can earn you prizes to enjoy the holiday and celebrate it even better.
Online Bingo Innovations
The game’s latest innovations can be found at any state-of-the-art online casino or dedicated bingo website. Unlike their distant forerunners, today’s variations extensively utilize digital technology and are the products of prominent software development studios.
Video Bingo
Video bingo is an enthralling variety of the game offered by online bingo platforms and an amazing blend of tradition and innovation. The video version has the single-player format and the concept of an online slot machine, often with vivid graphics and upbeat sound effects.
The gameplay is typical: the numbers are checked off on your virtual card according to the balls drawn, and you win if one of the lines of patterns is completed. To play video bingo, you need to choose the number of cards, usually ranging between 1 and 4, and set the size of your bet.
Video bingo is fast-paced, as marking off is done automatically and the game speed is adjustable, allowing you to play in both normal and turbo mode. It has plenty of other features, too, such as purchasing extra balls, playing bonus rounds, and drawing additional prizes.
Social Bingo Apps
Social bingo applications bring together aficionados of the game so they can share a thrilling experience in real time. Delivered by famous igaming brands, such apps are ubiquitous in app stores. They are safe, easy and free to download, and compatible with most mobile devices.
So, what exactly is in a social bingo app? There are multiple games and tournaments with cash prizes where members of the same family, friends, or strangers from all over the world can participate online. Robust applications enable millions of users to join and play synchronously.
Social apps prioritize interaction between players, so game sessions are always multiplayer and team-based. Built-in social features and integrated social media provide a unifying experience, create a sense of community, and foster connections between players outside of the game.
Choosing the Right Type of Bingo
Because of abundant versions, this gambling game is bound to please everyone. The reverse side of this abundance is that it might not be easy to choose. Below are the necessary things to consider and practical tips for beginners to help you decide which version is your type.
Factors to Сonsider
- First, it’s reasonable to base your decision on your acquaintance with the game. If you’re new to bingo, steer clear of complicated versions and select options with easy-to-understand rules, plain gameplay, and minimal features.
- Take your daily schedule into account and how much time you can and want to devote to the game. Variations with a high pace, such as speed or video bingo, will perfectly suit players with hectic schedules and a shortage of free time.
- Keeping your online habits in mind is also important. If you plan to gamble occasionally while getting comfortable in front of your PC, bingo websites are a good fit. If you rarely take your hands away from your smartphone, opt for a mobile app.
- At the end of the day, you’re the boss, and your personal preferences matter the most. So, if you’re not really social, you can go with a single-player version. Likewise, you’re free to choose the theme that you’re interested in best of all.
Tips for Beginners
- Learning how to play bingo is a must for first-timers, so be sure to read some guides and watch video tutorials made by pros.
- Test the waters with a demo mode that will take you through the entire gaming experience without any risks and money spent.
- Start by playing a version of bingo for beginners and move on to the next, more complex variety only after perfecting the previous one.
- Select an online gambling platform with a broad range of bingo options, a lavish welcome bonus, and overall favorable conditions.
Conclusion
The centuries-old evolution of bingo has given rise to a plethora of genres and styles, each with a peculiar appeal. Among the many, there are 75-ball and 90-ball games for hard-core conservatives, bingo jackpots for big prize seekers, and social bingo for team players. When choosing the right flavor of bingo, you should consider the level of complexity, pace, theme, and platform you play on. Take your time and familiarize yourself well with the rules and gameplay, play simple, bet small, and enjoy because fun is what, after all, bingo is for.
