The Different Types of Bingo Games Explained

While the game of Bingo is relatively simple in theory, there is a large number of variations that can help to keep players on their toes. Before committing any funds to any game of Bingo online, it's important for punters to know the rules in detail. This can not only help to make the session more fun but can also allow them to create strategies for each variation. 

There are a variety of elements that can totally change how a game of Bingo is played. A few examples of this include the winning lines, the number of balls used in each round, and when it comes to online bingo games, the theme. All of these elements will be discussed in more detail later on. 

In this article, we will also be touching on the various types of bingo wins, a selection of winning strategies, and the benefits of playing multiplier bingo game types! 

It's no secret that Bingo has been popular for decades, however, not many people know that the game was initially invented in the 16th century. At first, it was called 'Il Giuoco del Lotto d'Italia' and each board consists of 3 rows of 9 numbers, making a total of 27 squares on a card. It travelled across the world, including Germany in the 19th century and America in the 1920s. Bingo arrived in the UK in the 1960s, where it became an overnight sensation. 

Of course, nowadays, players from all over can enjoy the game that has captivated many nations. Online variations of Bingo offer a level of convenience, with most titles now being optimised for play across a range of mobile devices. Players can also enjoy demo versions of these games, allowing them to learn the rules or simply unwind without making a wager.

Now it's time to explore the different variations of classic bingo games, based on the number of balls that are used. Although there are some very unique exceptions, here are the most popular versions: 

• 30-ball Bingo - Typically, players will not find a version of bingo that uses fewer balls than this one. 30-ball bingo is fast-paced and in order to form a full house, players must cross-off all nine numbers on their 3x3 card. It's worth mentioning that forming lines will not award players with any potential winnings in this rapid version of the classic game! 
  
  
• 36-ball bingo - Perhaps even harder to find that the aforementioned 30-ball variant, 36-ball bingo has a rule that enables each player to buy a maximum of one ticket. This can help to improve a player's chance of winning, especially if they are only purchasing one ticket per round anyway. Again, potential winnings are only awarded for a full house, which consists of 12 numbers in 36-ball bingo. 
  
  
• 50-ball bingo - The 50-ball version of bingo comes with a total of 10 numbers on each ticket, laid out in a 5x2 format, with 5 tickets being used for each game. Many players will be encouraged to know that horizontal lines do award potential winnings in this variation, alongside full houses. 
  
  
• 75-ball bingo - When playing 75-ball bingo, there are multiple ways to form a line, either vertically or horizontally. Like with all the other bingo variations, a full house will award the most potential winnings. Each card consists of 24 numbers on a 5x5 board, with the middle being referred to as a 'Free Space' or 'Free Number'. 
  
  
• 80-ball bingo - Interestingly, 80-ball bingo has become synonymous with online versions of the game. The winning combinations in this game tend to revolve around more unique patterns, which can help to keep things interesting for players. Each ticket in 80-ball bingo comes in a 4x4 format, meaning that 16 numbers need to be crossed off in order for a full house to be awarded. 
  
  
• 90-ball bingo - This is the most popular variation of Bingo, with each card featuring a total of 15 numbers. There are three rows in total, all of which come with five numbers on them. When following these rules, there are three winning patterns, consisting of a single line, two lines, and a full house.
  

There are some other unique variations of the game that can be found here at Foxy Bingo, including Speed Bingo and Slingo. As the name suggests, Speed Bingo focuses on numbers being called quickly, in order to have as many rounds as possible per hour. This is great for anyone that likes fast-paced action or simply doesn't want to spend long playing in one session. 

Slingo is a combination of slots and bingo, with the key characteristic being that the different numbers appear on a reel, as opposed to being drawn from a machine. Much like Speed Bingo, this release comes with a fast pace and is usually played by one player, eliminating the wait time between rounds. Furthermore, Slingo can come with bonus rounds, unique patterns, and fixed-value jackpots, all of which can make the game more fun for players! 

Providers are always looking to release totally new variations of traditional games, such as Bingo, in order to stand out from the crowd. This can help to ensure that gameplay doesn't get repetitive, keeping things fresh and exciting for everyone involved. 

There are two main types of Bingo games that are played around the world, with the first being the American variation. A total of 75 balls are used in this game, with players receiving a 5x5 grid. The centre number is a 'Free Space', meaning that it's already marked off, leaving 24 other numbers for players to look out for.  

Winning combinations involve a single line, a variety of different patterns, and crossing off all numbers on the ticket. Interestingly, in American Bingo, this is known as a 'Blackout'. The patterns will be dependent on the rules of the specific game, so checking these in advance is essential. 

The other type of Bingo is the British version, which also happens to be the most popular ruleset in the world. Players can purchase tickets that feature a 9x3 grid, with 15 numbers being present and all other spaces being left blank. Each of the three rows has 5 numbers and 4 blank spaces. 

British Bingo uses 90 balls and has different matching combinations, too. Players are awarded for a single line, two lines, and a full house. It's worth mentioning that if players decide to buy 6 tickets, they will have all 90 numbers, however, the two lines must appear on the same card to count. 

While most of the patterns in Bingo are fairly self-explanatory, here is a quick overview for anyone that is still learning the ins and outs of the game: 

• Vertical Lines - This is when all numbers on the same column are checked off. Vertical lines are only valid on some variations of Bingo. 
   
• Horizontal Lines - Should all numbers on the same row be crossed-off, a horizontal line will be formed. This is the most common type of line and is used in games such as the British 90-ball version of bingo. 
  
  
• Full House - This is when all numbers on the ticket are crossed-off. In American Bingo, this is referred to as a 'Blackout', as mentioned earlier. 
  
  
• Unique Patterns - These are often found in less popular variations of Bingo, however, they do appear in the American version too. Patterns may be used to form different letters, such as an 'S' or an 'L', or simply randomly generated at the start of each round. Any unique patterns will be clearly displayed, especially when playing bingo online.
  

So, are there any winning strategies that can be implemented when playing bingo? While these may not directly increase the chances of a successful round, many strategies have been developed for the game.  

One of these is known as 'Granville's Method', created by a stock market analyst. It involves picking a bingo card that has an equal ratio of high and low numbers, even and odd numbers, and numbers that end with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. Essentially, it involves having a wide variety of different numbers. 

Another strategy, called 'Tippett's Methods', focuses on the 'perfect average' of the numbers in play. This theory suggests that longer bingo games, or periods in the bingo game, such as waiting for a full house, will typically have numbers that lie closer to the median. For example, in a 75-ball game, the median would be 38. Of course, both of these methods can only be used if it's possible to select a bingo card manually. In many cases, a random ticket will be given to each player that buys one. 

 While there are a handful of other strategies that relate to changing the stake size, flat betting is recommended by many. This involves having a set bet size for each play, which allows the player to ride the wave of volatility that occurs with all games of luck. Practising each bingo variation before committing real funds is another great way for players to learn the ropes! 

For anyone thinking of hosting their own bingo night, finding the perfect variation may seem tough. In general, speed versions of the game, such as 30 and 36-ball bingo, are far better suited to a younger crowd. These types of variations require intense focus for a short period of time. More standard types of bingo, such as 80 ball and 90 ball, are more appealing options for a slightly older demographic, or if a wide range of ages are present. Furthermore, 90-ball bingo is considered the easiest to both play and learn. 

That wraps up our article that covers the different types of Bingo games that are available to play online. Here at Foxy Bingo, we offer all of these variations, including some unique bingo games that contain bonuses and jackpots. As touched on earlier, playing demo versions of these unique releases is perhaps the best way to learn the rules and formulate any strategies. 

Regardless of the type of bingo being played, understanding the rules is crucial. Perhaps the most important thing to consider is the different winning lines and patterns, as these can change frequently from game to game. Without knowing these, players will be seriously decreasing their chances of a winning round.  

Last but not least, setting a limit for each bingo session is highly recommended. This can help players to effectively manage their bankroll, make their funds go further, and most importantly, stay in full control at all times!