Bingo Game Versions

The game of bingo is a popular member of the lotto family of games. It is a simple game that requires no playing skill or strategy. The outcome of the game is based on luck and chance, not on anything that the player does or doesn't do. The mechanics of play are very simple. A number is randomly selected and announced. The players check their cards/tickets and cover the number where ever it occurs. The player wants to be the first to complete the announced pattern so she wins the game.

The game of bingo evolved from the sixteenth century Italian lottery. In the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia, the game is based on ninety numbers and played on a rectangular shaped ticket. There are nine columns and three rows with five numbers on each line. The completion of one line is a regular bingo and two and three line games are special games. The coverall is the three line game and is called a full house or house. At land based establishments the tickets are sold in books with the sheets color coded for the different games. In online play, the tickets are sold in strips of three. The ninety number version is known as the British version.

When the game arrived in America, a toy salesman restructured the game and based it on seventy-five numbers. The game is played on a square shaped card with five columns and five rows. One letter each of the world bingo appears over each of the columns. There is a free space in the exact center of the card that can be used in the completion of any pattern that includes it. A regular bingo consists of the completion of a horizontal, vertical or diagonal line. The four corners may also be considered a regular bingo, depending on the house rules. Special games usually involve patterns, since the square shape of the card lends itself to the formation of many patterns. A pattern in any shape, letter or number that can be made and some sites have catalogs of three hundred patterns. Cards are sold in book with the number of cards depending on the establishment. A separate entry card is required and separate cards are usually purchased for the special games.

More information about the game of bingo can be found at a good informational bingo portal. The individual can read site reviews and learn the latest news in the bingo world.

I am an experienced writer for popular online bingo sites and bingo games strategies, my aim is to give you the best source of information about playing bingo and also reviews about the top UK online bingo sites like Ladbrokes Bingo.