An Introduction to Online Bingo

Gone are the days of heading down to the local bingo hall on a Saturday evening and daubing your numbers with the local community. Online bingo has boomed over the last few years, making it a staple of many online casinos and inspiring a surge of dedicated UK bingo sites. With hundreds of online bingo rooms out there, you can satisfy your bingo needs from the comfort of your own home.

Recommended Online Bingo Sites

These are some of the most recommended Online Bingo Sites on the market:

The History of Online Bingo

Bingo is a history-rich game that can be traced way back to the 16th century. The early years of the 21st century saw online gaming companies bring bingo to computer screens, and its growing popularity is showing no signs of slowing down.

In 2004, there were around 20 online UK bingo sites operating throughout the country. Now that number has skyrocketed to 350, and that’s not including international bingo sites. The rise of mobile gaming has also seen a surge in bingo apps, with many now playing on the morning commute.

To keep things interesting for players, gaming operators have created a number of themed game variations, from popular television shows like Deal or No Deal to games like Fluffy Favourites.

Online bingo in the UK and its Growing Popularity

The increasing popularity of online bingo has hit land-based UK bingo halls hard. Online bingo games allow players to get their fill of bingo entertainment in just a few clicks. With new bingo variations, great promotions, amazing graphics and mobile play, the appeal of the local bingo hall has dimmed.

Today, over 3 million people around the world enjoy their bingo online every week, and around 70% of bingo players are women. Bingo has always been seen as a game for the older generation, but since it became available online, the appeal has broadened toward younger players. Today, most online bingo players are under the age of 50, with many between the ages of 20 and 25.

Social Element

Naturally, a big part of playing bingo at the bingo hall was the chance to meet new people and make new friends. People now have so many other ways to meet new people that the social element of bingo is no longer a top priority for younger players. Because of this, physical UK bingo halls have developed a bit of a reputation for being an older player’s venue.

However, bingo apps and websites remain a very social space for players of all ages. While it’s true that many use it purely as a way of boosting the bankroll with some bingo cash, there are equally as many that use it as a form of community interaction. Playing against people from around the world adds an extra layer of excitement, and you can opt out of using the “auto-daub” feature to make the bingo game even more interactive.

Chat

If you’ve ever visited a bingo hall with friends, you’ll no doubt have had a run-in with the hall’s resident “shush-er”. As the numbers are called out and you inch closer to a full house, it’s difficult not to get carried away and tell your mates. Well, online bingo solves this problem!

Online bingo rooms have not forgotten about the social element of the bingo hall. Most sites will have chat rooms and a decent community, with promotions, tips and, of course, gossip all there just waiting to welcome you. What’s more, you can talk in online chat rooms throughout the duration of the bingo game and not disturb the “shush-ers” on the table next to you.

Bingo Games Offered

There are many variations of bingo online. It’s no longer necessary to stick to traditional 90-ball bingo, as the best UK bingo sites now offer a variety of unique twists on the classic game. You’ll find 75-ball, 80-ball, 50-ball, and 30-ball bingo games on offer, each with its own set of rules and distinctive gameplay for you to enjoy.

90-Ball Bingo

90-ball bingo is the most traditional bingo format you’ll find at UK bingo sites. The numbers 1-90 are set on multiple 9×3 cards, and you cross each number off as it is called. There are three ways to win in a 90-ball game: single line, two lines and house. It is definitely the slowest bingo game variation, which makes it perfect for beginners.

80-Ball Bingo

80-ball bingo first appeared in UK bingo halls. Originally referred to as “shutterboard bingo” (due to the shutters you used to cover a called number), 80-ball is a mix between 90- and 75-ball bingo.

Set on a 4×4 grid, there are multiple games you can play with various ways to win, including:

  1. Single line: A vertical, horizontal or diagonal line
  2. Line and house: Play first for any line of four across, and then for a full house
  3. Full house only: Full house played from the offset; no prizes for individual lines
  4. Outer / Inner: The entire outside of the grid goes first, followed by a full house game
  5. Corners: All four corners are marked first. Often combined with a full house game after the four corner prize has been won

75-Ball Bingo

75-ball bingo has long been a staple of US bingo sites. More recently, it has surged into the UK bingo mainstream and become a staple of almost every bingo app. The game involves fewer balls (obviously) but also has more ways to win, making it a faster-paced variation than the traditional 90-ball bingo game.

75-ball bingo is similar to 80-ball, in that you are given a pattern to complete at the beginning of the game. The first to complete the pattern wins the prize. However, you have a slightly bigger grid (5×5) and more complex patterns (including ‘ladder’, ‘turtle’ and the letter ‘T’). With its faster pace and variety of patterns to complete, 75-ball bingo is ideal for the more experienced UK bingo player.

50-Ball Bingo

This is one of the newer online bingo variations, and it is one of the most simple to play. Every card consists of two lines of five numbers. There are just two ways to win in a 50-ball bingo game: single line and both lines. Since there are only 50 numbers, the lines fill up relatively quickly.

Although it’s a fast-paced game, it’s also very easy to understand. Therefore, it is a great game for players who want a quicker pace than 90-ball bingo but don’t want to focus on filling out complicated grid patterns.

30-Ball Bingo

The final (and by far the fastest) bingo variation is 30-ball bingo. Often referred to as “speed bingo”, you can play through multiple rounds of 30-ball bingo in the time it takes to play a 90-ball or 75-ball bingo game.

Rather than playing against other bettors, however, you play against the game itself. Each ticket consists of a 3×3 grid filled with random numbers between 1-30. You can play with up to 100 tickets at a time. Unlike other games, there is only one way to win, which is usually just by filling in the entire card.

Its swift pace makes 30-ball bingo a great game to play on the train or during your lunch break. Its low cost also means you can buy multiple tickets for the same game, increasing your chances of a win.

Themed Bingo

As with many other types of online games, UK bingo operators are often reinventing the game to keep players coming back. Players can find variations of bingo based on anything from popular television shows to other games. One popular example is Deal or No Deal Bingo. As the title suggests, Deal or No Deal Bingo is based on a television show of the same name. The popular game comes in 75 and 90-ball versions.

Another is Fluffy Favourites Bingo, a bingo room based around the famous Fluffy Favourites slot and which bases its cards on Fluffy characters rather than numbers. There is also the popular Coronation Street Bingo, themed around the beloved soap opera. Whatever your interests, there is certainly a themed bingo game out there for every player.

Side Games

Any regular bingo player can tell you that while the calling out of the numbers can be a heart-racing experience, there are times during a live bingo game when the gameplay lulls. Yet another unique feature of online bingo is the addition of side games. These mini-games can be opened on the same screen and played as the game unfolds. There’s nothing like playing two games at once to keep the mind focused!

Slots

Playing slots alongside your bingo game is a great way to use up a free spins bonus. If the bingo gameplay slows down, you can choose from a range of exciting slot games to increase the excitement. You can even set the game to “Auto-daub” and focus your attention on the reels.

Alternatively, if the pace of the bingo game picks back up, you can set the slot to “Autospin” and keep it playing in the background. Doing so is beneficial in a number of ways. Firstly, it helps to clear any bonus wagering requirements. It also generates more spins in quick succession (leading you to a faster potential win). Additionally, if you do happen to score a big win, you’ve done so without even paying attention to the game. Wins all around!

Table Games

If your welcome offer consists of bonus bingo cash, you can use it to play a range of table games alongside your live bingo game. These games mainly consist of roulette and blackjack variations, though many bingo apps offer other games like baccarat and craps.

Scratch Cards/Instant Wins

If you’d rather play a side game that doesn’t require quite as much of your attention as a slot or table game, bingo cash can also be spent on instant win games like scratch cards. The premise of a scratch card is actually very similar to bingo; you buy a ticket that, with the right combination, can score you a win.

There is no actual gameplay involved in an instant-win game, so they don’t require much of your attention. This makes them a great game to have open alongside your bingo ticket.

Promotions and Bonuses

With so many bingo apps available online, each gaming operator offers regular promotions and bonuses to get players to game at their site. Most sites will offer a generous welcome bonus to get you started on your bingo gaming, some giving as much as a 400% match on your first deposit. Others reward ongoing bettors with bingo cash prizes and reload bonuses.

Basic Strategy

Bingo is a simple game that is predominantly based on luck. However, there are ways of improving your chances. Buying more cards will obviously give you the edge. You’ll be risking more, but it’s worth it if there’s a big prize pot to win. Picking a bingo room with fewer players will mean fewer tickets are being used, giving you a greater chance of winning some bingo cash.

Conclusion

There are many reputable online bingo sites and bingo apps out there where you can enjoy fun, social, and potentially profitable games of bingo. With chat rooms, huge selections of games, games for all budgets and big bingo cash prize pots, bingo has arrived online in style.