Other popular patterns are different letters and numbers. For letters, E, T, X, and Z are common patterns while for numbers, you usually see 3, 4, 7, and 8. Knowing the most common bingo patterns is crucial if you want to be the first to shout out, “Bingo!”. Knowledge is power, and this article should help increase your chances of. 90-Ball Bingo tickets are often sold in strips of 6 and the payouts differ from 75- and 80-Ball Bingo variants. Typically, a game will pay when players match all four corners, a horizontal line, 2 lines, and/or a Full House. The majority of 90-ball bingo games will trigger a win when someone gets a single line.

Bingo cards are playing cards designed to facilitate the game of Bingo in its various forms around the world.

History[edit]

In the early 1500s the people of Italy began to play a game called 'Lo Gioco del Lotto d'Italia,' which literally means 'The game of lotto of Italy.' The game operated very much like a modern lottery as players placed bets on the chances of certain numbers being drawn. By the 1700s, a version of Lo Gioco del Lotto d'Italia was played in France, where paper cards were first used to keep track of numbers drawn by a caller.^[1]

Before the advent of printing machines, numbers on bingo cards were either painted by hand or stamped using rubber stamps onto thick cardboard.^[2] Cards were reusable, meaning players used tokens to mark called numbers. The number of unique cards was limited as randomization had to occur by hand. Before the advent of online Bingo, cards were printed on card stock and, increasingly, disposable paper.^[3] While cardboard and paper cards are still in use, Bingo halls are turning more to 'flimsies' (also called 'throwaways') — a card inexpensively printed on very thin paper to overcome increasing cost — and electronic Bingo cards to overcome the difficulty with randomization.^[4][5]

Types of Cards[edit]

There are two types of Bingo cards. One is a 5x5 grid meant for 75-ball Bingo, which is largely played in the U.S. The other uses a 9x3 grid for U.K. style 'Housie' or 90-ball Bingo.^[6]

75-ball Bingo Cards[edit]

Players use cards that feature five columns of five squares each, with every square containing a number (except the middle square, which is designated a 'FREE' space). The columns are labeled 'B' (numbers 1–15), 'I' (numbers 16–30), 'N' (numbers 31–45), 'G' (numbers 46–60), and 'O' (numbers 61–75).^[7]

Randomization[edit]

A popular Bingo myth^[8] claims that U.S. Bingo innovator Edwin S. Lowe contracted Columbia University professor Carl Leffler to create 6,000 random and unique Bingo cards. The effort is purported to have driven Leffler insane. Manual random permutation is an onerous and time-consuming task that limited the number of Bingo cards available for play for centuries.

The calculation of random permutations is a matter of statistics principally relying on the use of factorial calculations. In its simplest sense, the number of unique 'B' columns assumes that all 15 numbers are available for the first row. That only 14 of the numbers are available for the second row (one having been consumed for the first row). And that only 13, 12, and 11 numbers are available for each of the third, fourth, and fifth rows. Thus, the number of unique 'B' (and 'I', 'G', and 'O', respectively) columns is (15*14*13*12*11) = 360,360. The combinations of the 'N' column differ due to the use of the free space. Therefore, it has only (15*14*13*12) = 32,760 unique combinations. The product of the five rows (360,360⁴ * 32,760) describes the total number of unique playing cards. That number is 552,446,474,061,128,648,601,600,000 simplified as 5.52x10²⁶ or 552 septillion.

Printing a complete set of Bingo cards is impossible for all practical purposes. If one trillion cards could be printed each second, a printer would require more than seventeen thousand years to print just one set. However, while the number combination of each card is unique, the number of winning cards is not. If a winning game using e.g. row #3 requires the number set B10, I16, G59, and O69, there are 333,105,095,983,435,776 (333 quadrillion) winning cards. Therefore, calculation of the number of Bingo cards is more practical from the point of view of calculating the number of unique winning cards.

For example, in a simple one-pattern game of Bingo a winning card may be the first person to complete row #3. Because the 'N' column contains a free space, the maximum number of cards that guarantee a unique winner is (15*15*15*15) = 50,625. Because the players need to only focus on row #3, the remaining numbers in rows #1, #2, #4, and #5 are statistically insignificant for purposes of game play and can be selected in any manner as long as no number is duplicated on any card.

Perhaps the most common pattern set, known as 'Straight-line Bingo' is completing any of the five rows, columns, or either of the main diagonals.^[5] In this case the possibility of multiple winning cards is unavoidable because any one of twelve patterns on every card can win the game. But not all 552 septillion cards need to be in play. Any given set of numbers in a column (e.g., 15, 3, 14, 5, 12 in the 'B' column) can be represented in any of 5! (for the 'B', 'I', 'G', and 'O' columns. 4! for the 'N' column) or 120 different ways. These combinations are all statistically redundant. Therefore, the total number of cards can be reduced by a factor of (5!⁴ * 4!) = 4,976,640,000 for a total unique winning card set of 111,007,923,832,370,565 or 111 quadrillion. (Still impossibly enormous, but our eager printer described above would only need 1.29 days to complete the task.)

The challenge of a multiple-pattern game is selecting a winner wherein a tie is possible. The solution is to name the player who shouts 'Bingo!' first, is the winner. However, it is more practical and manageable to use card sets that avoid multiple-pattern games. The single-pattern #3 row has already been mentioned, but its limited card set causes problems for the emerging online Bingo culture. Larger patterns, e.g. a diamond pattern consisting of cell positions B3, I2 and I4, N1 and N5, G2 and G4, and O3, are often used by online Bingo games to permit large number of players while ensuring only one player can win. (A unique winner is further desirable for online play where network delays and other communication interference can unfairly affect multiple winning cards. The winner would be determined by the first person to click the 'Bingo!' button (emulating the shout of 'Bingo!' during a live game).) In this case the number of unique winning cards is calculated as (15²*(15*14)³/2³) = 260,465,625 (260 million). The division by two for each of the 'I', 'N', and 'G' columns is necessary to once again remove redundant number combinations, such as [31,#,#,#,45] and [45,#,#,#,31] in the N column.

90-ball bingo cards[edit]

^[9] In UK bingo, or Housie, cards are usually called 'tickets.' The cards contain three rows and nine columns. Each row contains five numbers and four blank spaces randomly distributed along the row. Numbers are apportioned by column (1–9, 10–19, 20–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, 70–79 and 80–90).

Other Types of Cards[edit]

See also[edit]

• Reader service card (also known as a 'bingo card')

References[edit]

• Young, William H. and Nancy K. The Great Depression in America: A Cultural Encyclopedia, Volume 1. Greenwood Publishing Group, 2007. ISBN978-0-313-33521-1.

Footnotes[edit]

1. ^Crossland, Drake. 'Bingo:A Game's Journey Through History'. EZinearticles.com.
2. ^'Bingo Card History'. VirtualBingo. Archived from the original on September 6, 2008. Retrieved 2012-12-08.
3. ^'Bingo Cards'. BettingExpert. Retrieved 2012-12-08.
4. ^'Types of Bingo Cards'. VirtualBingo. Archived from the original on September 6, 2008. Retrieved 2012-12-08.
5. ^ ^abAndrew Bowser. 'Bingo Equipment'. How Stuff Works. Retrieved 2012-12-08.
6. ^Hoeft, Mike (2014). The bingo queens of Oneida : how two moms started tribal gaming in Wisconsin (First ed.). ISBN978-0870206528.
7. ^John, Player (1 January 2014). 'Gala Bingo Mobile App: play wherever you are'. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
8. ^'Bingo Myths: Fact or Fiction?'. My Casino Strategy. Retrieved 2012-12-08.
9. ^'bingobonuspage:What are the different Bingo game types?'. Archived from the original on December 6, 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2016.

Table of Contents

1. What are the Bingo Variations?

Nothing beats a fun family game night to bring everyone together. Not to mention, there aren’t too many activities that adults and children can participate in where both parties are entertained. Get the Bingo variations to play family fun games.

However, games have a way of appealing to the child in everyone, and one game, in particular, are Bingo variations. It’s been a fan favorite for many years and when it comes to fun and excitement, Bingo doesn’t disappoint.

However, most people aren’t aware that there are Bingo variations out there that turn up the heat and make the game more interesting. If you’re want to learn more, just keep reading to know Bingo variations!

What are the Bingo Variations?

Most folks are familiar with the traditional way of playing Bingo; which includes getting the corresponding numbers to Bingo in a line straight across, vertically down, diagonally, the four corners, or a blackout.

On the other hand, there are tons of other fun ways to play the game. Check out these Bingo variations below:

What Are The Different Types Of Bingo Games Pattern

1. Arrow

This particular alternative is quite similar to the original straight across Bingo rule. However, not only do you have to get all the numbers in a line, but also in each diagonal corner until your scorecard chips create the shape of an arrow.

2. Blood, Sweat, and Tears

If you really want to play Bingo variations with a twist, this variation is the way to go. Forget getting one Bingo pattern on your scorecard; the blood, sweat, and tears version requires three!

For instance, you would need to get a straight across, diagonal, and vertical down Bingo for you to be the winner—talk about intense!

3. B&O

It’s understandable if you don’t want to makes things too complicated when playing the game with kids. However, there are fun Bingo games that you can play with children that are challenging, yet simple. The B&O rule requires that players get all chips in the B and O category.

4. Layer Cake

Another one of the best Bingo variations for kids is the layered cake version. It requires that each player covers each square horizontally in every other line. Thus, forming a “layered cake”.

5. The Crazy L

There are so many fun ways to play Bingo and the creativity for patterns is endless. The crazy L consists of getting all of your numbers vertically in the O category and covering all the numbers in a horizontal direction on the last line of the scorecard; which creates a backward L shape.

6. Six Pack

A six-pack is created when a player gets a pattern of six numbers, in two rows of three, and they can be either horizontally or vertically. If you want to make things more tricky, you can eliminate the use of the free space on the scorecard.

7. Holiday Themes

This is one of those Bingo variations that are perfect for the holidays when you’re entertaining friends and family. For instance, fun ways to play Bingo during Christmas is to require that the pattern is in the shape of a Christmas tree, candy cane, or Santa hat.

Also, for Halloween it’s a cool idea to make the winner of the game have the shape of a pumpkin or Jack-o-lantern on their card.

8. Letters

Letters is a fun, yet simple way of shaking things up for a night of Bingo. The caller decides which letter is the winning letter for that round, and it should generally be a shape that complements the scorecard such as Z,E, X, or S.

9. Diamond

Last on this list of ways to play Bingo variations with a twist is the diamond pattern. It requires that each player cover numbers on the scorecard in the shape of a diamond.

Fun Bingo Games to Play: Fun Boosters

The Bingo variations listed above will surely bring joy to you and your loved ones. But believe it or not, there are even more ways to have a good time while playing a game of Bingo. In addition to the suggestions below, also check out the top bingo sites to find even more exciting ways to play!

Double Bingo Prizes

If you hadn’t thought about giving out prizes for the winners of the Bingo game, you need to. Not only will it make the game more competitive, it’s a nice way of letting your family know that you appreciate them. But if you really want to increase the excitement, give out double prizes!

Food and Drinks

Who doesn’t love snacks? If you’re playing with your kids, you can serve them chips or cute little drink like a Shirley Temple. It’s a sure way to make the night memorable and give them something to look forward to.

Music

Music always has a way of getting the party started. You can crank some tunes as you all play the game or create bingo cards with song names instead of numbers. Therefore, when you play a particular track, the players can put a chip down if it’s on their card.

Family Game Night Just Got Better

If you implement these Bingo variations into your next family fun game night, you can expect a night full of fun and laughs.

What Are The Different Types Of Bingo Games

The good thing about spending quality time with loves ones is that you don’t always have to do something extravagant to enjoy one another. Something as simple as a board game can create memories that will last a lifetime!

Different Types Of Bingo Wins

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