Playing the UK's most loved Numbers Game: Here’s what you need to get started

A timeless game dating as far back as 1530, Bingo has maintained its popularity and has come a long way since then. What’s not to like about an evening filled with fun, suspense, and the opportunity to win some fantastic prizes?

Whether you’re heading to the bingo hall or signing up online, it’s a good idea to turn up at your first game feeling prepared. From knowing which rules to follow to bringing the right equipment with you, we’ve detailed everything you should know in this quick guide.

How to play bingo

The rules of bingo are quite simple – so, if even if you’re a beginner player, you’ll soon start to feel like you’ve got years of experience.

Every player receives a card at the start of the game, which contains numbers on a grid. The numbers are then announced at random by the game caller, who typically uses classic nicknames and phrases known as the bingo calls.

Games can differ, but you’ll typically have between 15 and 24 numbers on your card, arranged in a square-shaped grid with one or several blank spaces too.

The aim of the game is to mark off, or dab, as many numbers on your ticket as possible. You can shout ‘bingo’ for a prize when you mark off a full row or column, and the first player to mark off all their numbers gets to shout ‘full house’ and claim a bigger prize.

What do you need to play bingo?

Luckily, getting stuck in is quite straightforward.

You won’t need any complex equipment to play or host a game of bingo, and you’ll have a chance of winning even if you’re not experienced.

If you’re setting up your own game, the core components to a game of bingo include:

Bingo tickets: You can cut out and write your own tickets or download pre-made bingo card templates online and print them out. As long as each player has a unique combination of numbers, and everyone has the same size grid, you’re good to go.
Dabbers: Players mark off the numbers on their ticket with a dabber, so you’ll need these handy tools for any successful game. If you’re playing together on mobile phones, you can use a handy bingo app to mark your numbers without delay.
A random number generator: To keep the gameplay fair, you’ll need to make sure that all numbers are called out at random. You can find online number generators or use the same type of machine used in a bingo hall. Your caller could even pull numbers out of a hat!
Prizes: Only the best prizes will incentivise your players and keep the momentum strong throughout the game.You could choose fancy bottles of wine, gift vouchers for special experiences and hotel stays, or even cash prizes.

Overview

Bingo is an interactive game that allows players to have fun together. Everyone benefits from an equal chance of winning thanks to the random nature of the game, so there should be no foul play or sneaky winning tactics. Just remember that it’s always worth knowing about the best ways to stay safe when you’re gambling, especially if you lose track of time easily.