How to play bingo
Bingo is a number draw game. Each player holds one or more cards printed with numbers, and a caller or a random number generator draws balls one at a time. Whenever a drawn number appears on your card, you mark it off. The first player to complete the required pattern and claim it wins.
There are two main formats. 75-ball bingo is the North American standard, while 90-ball bingo dominates in the United Kingdom and much of Europe. The idea is the same, but the cards and the winning patterns differ. In online versions the software usually daubs the numbers for you, so all you do is follow along.
75-ball bingo: the 5 by 5 card
The card has five columns headed by the letters B, I, N, G and O, and each column draws from its own range:
- B: numbers 1 to 15
- I: numbers 16 to 30
- N: numbers 31 to 45
- G: numbers 46 to 60
- O: numbers 61 to 75
The centre square of the N column is a free space that counts as marked from the start. That leaves four numbers in the N column and 24 numbers on the whole card, with no repeats. The caller announces each ball with its letter, such as B 7 or O 68, so you know exactly which column to check.
Winning patterns in 75-ball bingo
- Line: five marked squares in a row, column or diagonal. The free space counts when the line passes through the centre.
- Four corners: all four corner squares marked.
- Full card: all 24 numbers marked, also called a blackout or coverall.
Many games add special shapes such as an X, a frame around the edge or a small square in one corner. The pattern in play is always announced before the game starts, and one game can award several prizes in sequence, for example a line first and a full card later.
90-ball bingo: the 3 by 9 ticket
A 90-ball ticket has three rows and nine columns. It carries exactly 15 numbers, five in each row, with the remaining squares left blank. The first column holds 1 to 9, the second 10 to 19, and so on up to the last column, which holds 80 to 90. Tickets are often sold in strips of six that together contain all 90 numbers exactly once.
Prizes are normally awarded in order, and play continues without resetting the balls:
- One line: all five numbers in any horizontal row.
- Two lines: two complete rows on the same ticket.
- Full house: all 15 numbers on the ticket, the main prize of the game.
Calling Bingo and handling ties
In a bingo hall you must call out "Bingo!" or whatever word the house rules require before the next number is drawn. The caller then checks your card. A false claim simply lets the game carry on, and in many halls a claim made after the next ball has been called no longer counts. Online, the software spots the win automatically.
If two or more players complete the pattern on the same number, the prize is usually split equally between them. Tie rules do vary between games, so it is worth reading them before you start.
Keno rules: numbers 1 to 80
Keno sits somewhere between bingo and a lottery draw. The ticket shows 80 numbers and you choose how many to play, known as spots. Most games let you pick 1 to 10 spots, and some allow 15 or 20. Then 20 numbers are drawn, although some variants draw a different amount.
Your result depends on how many of your spots match the drawn numbers and on that game's paytable. Paytables differ from game to game: some pay a small amount for catching zero on a larger ticket, others pay nothing for it. Always check the paytable inside the game before you play.
Keno usually carries a high house edge, often far higher than roulette or blackjack. Over time you should expect to lose a large share of what you stake, whichever numbers you choose.
How the odds work
In bingo your chance depends on how many cards are in play. More players and more cards mean each individual card is less likely to finish first. No card or strategy wins more often, and playing extra cards only adds more tickets to the draw, each of which still depends purely on luck.
Keno is easier to calculate. If you play one spot and 20 of 80 numbers are drawn, the chance your number comes up is exactly 25 percent. The more spots you pick, the harder it gets to catch them all: with 10 spots, the chance of hitting all 10 is roughly 1 in 8.9 million. Every draw is independent, so so-called hot and cold numbers have no effect on the next one.
Comparison: 75-ball, 90-ball and keno
| Feature | 75-ball bingo | 90-ball bingo | Keno |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number range | 1 to 75 | 1 to 90 | 1 to 80 |
| Card or ticket | 5 by 5, 24 numbers plus a free space | 3 by 9, 15 numbers | Player picks spots, usually 1 to 10 |
| Draw length | Until someone completes the pattern | Until someone gets a full house | Usually 20 numbers per round |
| How you win | Line, four corners, full card or a special pattern | One line, two lines, full house | By number of matches on the paytable |
| You play against | Other players | Other players | The paytable |
Bingo and keno on this site
On besplatnikazino.com you play bingo and keno with virtual credits only. There are no deposits, no prizes and no payouts, which makes it a place to learn the rules and try the games without any money involved. The credits have no value outside the site. If a game stops being fun, take a break.
Common questions
How many numbers are on a bingo card?
A 75-ball card has 24 numbers plus a free centre square. A 90-ball ticket has 15 numbers arranged in three rows of five.
What is the free space in bingo?
It is the centre square of a 75-ball card, and it counts as marked from the start. It helps complete any line that runs through the middle.
How many numbers are drawn in keno?
Standard keno draws 20 numbers out of 80. Some variants change that figure, so check the rules of the specific game.
Is there a system that improves keno odds?
No. Each draw is independent and no set of numbers is more likely to come up than any other.
Can I win money playing bingo or keno here?
No. The games on besplatnikazino.com use virtual credits only, with no deposits or payouts, and are meant for fun and for learning the rules.