How to play bingo

Once you've picked your bingo site of choice (see here for our reviews or visit our bingo directory) it's time to get your head down and play your first game of online bingo.

 

Basic bingo rules

 

Most online bingo sites now offer the choice of traditional 90 ball bingo as well as the American based 75 ball game. Both games are very similar with the main difference being that you are required to match a pattern in the 75 number game rather than the traditional line matching required in the 90 number version. Cards for the traditional 90 number game have 3 rows and 9 columns. Each row consits of 5 numbered squares between 1 and 90 with the rest of the squares being blank. The aim of the game is to complete either a single line, two lines or a full house (where all numbers on your card have been called).

 

Dauber at the ready!

 

A dauber is an essential peice of kit in any bingo players arsenal. It's basically a large tipped pen designed for marking your card as numbers are called out. Most bingo sites have adopted the dauber principle and the dauber is now as much a part of online bingo as it always has been in traditional High Street based bingo halls. While it's still fun to mark (or daub) your own cards most bingo sites now offer an 'auto-dauber' option. This is ideal if you've purchased a large number of cards and means your numbers will be automatically tracked. In fact all bingo sites alert you when you've won (even if you've missed a call during the game).