Bingo rules: how to play 75-ball, 90-ball and 30-ball bingo

Bingo is easy to learn, but there are several variants. Here are the rules for the three most common, so everyone knows what counts before the caller starts drawing numbers.

How a game works

1. Every player gets one or more cards with numbers.
2. The caller draws numbers one at a time and reads them out.
3. Players mark the number if it is on their card.
4. The first player to complete what is needed shouts "Bingo!".
5. The caller checks the card against the called numbers. If it matches, the player wins.

Need someone to call the numbers? Use our free online bingo caller, which reads the numbers aloud and shows every called number on a board.

90-ball bingo

The classic game played in the UK and much of Europe.

• The ticket has 3 rows and 9 columns. Each row has 5 numbers, so 15 numbers per ticket.
• The columns follow the tens: the first column has 1–9, the second 10–19 and so on up to 80–90 in the last.
• Prizes are usually won in three stages: one line, two lines and finally a full house, when all 15 numbers are marked.
• Calls: in UK halls many numbers have a traditional nickname, like "Legs eleven". See our list of bingo calls.

75-ball bingo

The American variant, where patterns are a big part of the game.

• The card has 5 × 5 squares under the letters B, I, N, G and O. The centre square is free and counts as already marked.
• The columns have fixed ranges: B 1–15, I 16–30, N 31–45, G 46–60 and O 61–75. That is why numbers are called with the letter, for example "G 52".
• Winning can be a line across, down or diagonally, or a pattern decided before the game. Common patterns are four corners, an X, a frame around the edge or a blackout (all squares).

30-ball bingo

Speed bingo for short games.

• The card has 3 × 3 squares with numbers between 1 and 30.
• You win when all nine numbers are marked. A game takes just a few minutes, which suits children and short breaks.

When two people shout bingo at once

Decide before you start. The most common rule is that the prize is shared between everyone who has bingo on the same number. In a family game you can just as well let both win.

Make your own cards

With our printable bingo cards tool you can create unique cards for all three variants, with your own title, and print them for free.

Rules can vary slightly between games and bingo halls. Agree on what counts before the first ball is drawn.