Bingo Rules

The bingo game is like playing a lottery.

Players have thousands of unique (un-duplicated) cards to choose from and these cards are divided into numbered and blank squares; each player can buy as many cards he wants to.

A caller or banker announce the numbers (usually up to 75 or 90 all) which are extracted randomly. Because the numbers are announced quickly by the Caller, the player must pay careful attention to the numbers that are called and mark them quickly and accurately on his card(s). Once a game will start, no additional cards will be purchased for the players. The first person who will mark on a card or a line the numbers that have been called shouts "Bingo".

When a "Bingo" has been declared by a player, in most of the places is possible that the caller will repeat the last number called and ask twice if there are any more 'Bingos" to declare. There will be no other "Bingos" allowed for that game after the caller has asked twice and closed the game.

Then the winner will get his stake money, usually from that pot is deducted a specified percentage, if that is permitted by local law. If "bingo" is called by two or more players in a game, the "pot" will be split down among them.

After the prize is awarded a new bingo game can begin, with new cards. In Las Vegas many variations including Letter X, Six Pack and Coverall Bingo are offered. Additionally, some places offer special progressive payouts as high as $10,000.

In a popular variation, the central square on the card is free, and the first player on whose card five of the called numbers appear in a row (vertically, horizontally, or diagonally) is the winner.

Playing bingo you can win anything from plush toys to thousands of dollars in cash, to cars. Bingo is a legal game in most U.S. states that prohibit other forms of gambling. Sometimes, children may play too and win if they are with an adult person and if they have a payed card.

When playing online, your bingo cards are randomly selected for you. Most online games give you 3 or 4 cards. Other games let you take more.

Every online bingo game has a caller or a display board for the bingo numbers. The game pattern is also displayed. Some games automatically mark the numbers on your card for you.