Brief guide to Bingo

A typical bingo ticket contains fifteen numbers arranged in three rows and nine columns. Each of these rows contains five numbers and four blank spaces, and then each column contains one, two or sometimes three numbers.

The game is run by a caller, whose job it is to call out numbers and check winners and their tickets. The game will usually start with the prizes being announced and the caller will ask for “eyes down” meaning the game is about to start. Various techniques are used to get the numbers whether it is an electronic random number generator, drawing counters from a bag or drawing balls from a mechanical machine. Once a ball has been drawn, wire release caller with shout out the number and usually use a nickname for the number, such as “knock at the door, number 4”. As the numbers are called out, the players use a pen known as a “dabber” to mark off the numbers on their ticket. When all the numbers required to win a game have been called out, the player shouts out “House” or “line” depending on the prize, the caller or an official will the come and check the claim.

There are different winning combinations that you can get in a play bingo game, Line, which is when you get a horizontal line of five numbers. Two lines, is when you get any two lines on the ticket and a full house which is where you cover all fifteen numbers on the ticket.
When the players first arrive at a bingo venue they buy books of tickets. Players often use around one and six books at a time. In UK bingo halls, playing is divided into sessions for different books.

As in most aspects of life newer technology is being incorporated into the game, in the UK bingo download auto validating systems are being used in larger clubs to check winner’s claims, this involves a security code send out press releases on the ticket being read out so that claims can be validated quicker. But unfortunately smaller clubs that don’t have this system, every number from the winning combination needs to be read out to the caller who has to manually check them, which takes a lot longer.
Another aspect of increased technology being used in the clubs is Programmable electronic tickets being used. These are wi-fi handheld terminals that allow players to have more tickets and speed up the claim validation service.

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