There are so many options for online bingo that it’s easy to forget it’s actually a centuries-old pastime. History has it; it surged in Renaissance Italy with the “Gioco de Lotto,” or literally, “game of lottery.” It’s reasonable to suppose it was already an attraction in the first casino in the world, the Casino de Venezia, which opened in the 17th century.

If you’re wondering how “gioco di lotto” became “bingo,” here’s a short explanation: players used beans to mark numbers, changing its name to “beano.” Nowadays, you can play it wherever you are and whenever you like. The only important thing is to check some Bet365 bingo reviews before start playing. However, before you get started, do you know how to play?

Lucky Numbers

Bingo rules are pretty simple, but there’s more than one type. So, before trying out your luck, learning about terminology and the most popular variations is advisable. The “caller” is the person reading the numbers that come out. If you’re lucky enough, you can score a “coverall” or “full-house,” meaning you fulfilled your entire ticket.

It’s also essential to learn about lines and patterns. Scoring a coverall isn’t the only way to win a prize. You can also win in some variations by forming different patterns on your card based on the called numbers.

The online bingo game industry was valued at over USD 60 billion in 2022. No wonder why so many online gambling platforms offer this game. However, when playing online, you should also pay attention to house edge and RTP concepts.

The house edge regards the platform’s profit, while RTP (return to play) tells you how much you can win over the course of several games. Consider, for instance, a game with an RTP rate of 95%. If you bet USD 100, you can receive back USD 95 down the road; the remaining 5% is the house edge.

Those numbers are estimates and don’t guarantee you’ll win anything, nor is it possible to predict when you’ll win. Check those numbers before you start playing to know your winning chances.

Common Variations

Add some variety to your bingo sessions, and try the versions explained below.

American Rules

Americans love online bingo: the game is enjoyed by about 60 million people, with 1.2 billion yearly visitors. This version uses 75 balls. The numbers are distributed on cards, and the letters B-I-N-G-O have an empty central slot. There are also two popular sub-variations: U’Pick’Em and Double Action. In the first case, you’ll use three cards of 25 numbers. Cards of Double Action have two numbers per slot.

Special patterns include the Postage Stamp, the Roving L, and the Blackout. The first pattern is a 2×2 square on the top-right corner of the card, while Postage Stamp covers the leftmost vertical and the bottom horizontal lines. You need to cover 24 slots to score a Blackout.

British Rules

British bingo uses 90 balls, 15 more than the American version. It also has special winning combinations with self-explanatory names: four corners, two lines, and one line. British cards have 27 numbers.

Irish Rules

Irish bingo is pretty varied; you can find versions using 30, 75, and 90 balls. In one of the versions, players can win by not scoring any number at all. In this case, players start the game standing up. They only sit down when their numbers are shouted, and the last player standing wins the game.

Windfalls

The windfall isn’t precisely a variation but a common feature in many bingo sites. Windfalls are randomly granted by the platform to reward specific combinations. The most popular ones are the Double Bubble, the Lucky Star, and the Bull’s Eye.

In the first option, the pot is doubled when paired numbers (11, 22, 33, etc.) are called. The Lucky Star randomly picks a number between 1 and 90, while the Bull’s Eye gives a prize if you shout the 50th number in the game.