If you’re a fan of playing games at your favorite online casino, you’ve probably already tried out both casino table games and online slots — but have you given online bingo a go yet? Although bingo is often associated with older gamblers, it’s actually now one of the most popular go-to online casino games for people of all ages. In fact, figures say that the overwhelming majority of people who play bingo online fall into the 25–34-year-old “millennial” age bracket.
The enduring popularity of the so-called “beautiful numbers” game is thanks to its reimagination online: There are a few different versions of the game available, with the two most commonly played being 90-ball bingo and 75-ball bingo. While one can’t be deemed “better” than the other, these variants differ quite a lot, and the version you like best will depend on your personal preferences, so it’s worthwhile giving both games a whirl before picking your favorite. Here are some good details to know before you play bingo online.
Bingo History
Both 75-ball and 90-ball bingo are thought to have originated in Italy back in the 1530s, inspired by the Italian lottery known as Il Gioco del Lotto d’Italia. The game quickly took off and soon started spreading across Europe, with exceptionally high rates of play in France and Great Britain in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Most will agree that 90-ball bingo is the more traditional version of the game. It’s certainly the one most commonly played in the UK as well as parts of Europe and Australasia. The version of the game most commonly played across the U.S. is 75-ball bingo.
Unsurprisingly, the original versions looked a lot different from today’s versions, but it wasn’t until the 1920s that the game known today first came to gaming halls across the globe.
How To Play 90-ball Bingo
There are slight differences in mechanics when playing online versus in person. If you play in a bingo hall, someone will explain how the game works, so here’s how to play 90-ball bingo online.
First, you’ll need to log in to your favorite online bingo site. Then, when you buy in to play a game, you’ll be given a long strip of tickets comprising six bingo cards in a 9×3 grid format (just as you would in a real bingo hall.) The cards feature 15 random numbers between 1 and 90 spread across 27 squares (five in each row,) leaving 12 blanks. You’ll see each number from 1–90 occurs only once within your strip of tickets, which makes it easier to follow the game as you won’t have to rummage through your tickets looking for the same number on all your bingo cards.
When the game starts, a series of numbers between 1 and 90 are randomly drawn one by one by the gaming software, and players mark each off on the ticket where it appears. (You can also set up auto-daubing if you prefer and the software will do it for you.) To win the game, you’ll need to get a “full house,” which becomes effective when you’ve crossed off all 15 numbers that appear on any one of your tickets.
Many people choose to play the 90-ball version because there are usually three main prizes instead of just one grand prize. These will go to the first person to land all five numbers in a single line, the first to complete two lines, and — of course — the first person to get a “full house.” These three are the different bingo patterns that all players should know. There are often other prizes up for grabs depending on where you play, with many games awarding a small share of the jackpot to the second person (and possibly the third) to achieve any of the above.
How To Play 75-Ball Bingo
When you first try 75-ball bingo games, you may find it a little more complex than its 90-ball counterpart. Instead of ticket strips, players buy a single bingo card displaying a 5×5 grid of 24 randomly selected numbers between 1–75 surrounding a star-marked square in the center. The same numbers could show up on lots of different cards, meaning that gameplay is often a little bit slower. Each of the five columns on the card is represented by a letter spelling out the word “BINGO,” with numbers listed in multiples of 15 (so the first column will contain five numbers between 1–15; the next column will have five numbers between 16–30; and so on.) The ultimate goal is to complete a of numbers to win the single prize. 75-ball bingo patterns include 6,000 combinations. But while there’s only one winner for each game, it’s a whole heap of fun to play. Just remember to set a budget or bankroll for how much you’re going to spend before you start, or you might get carried away in the excitement.
Differences at a Glance
- There is one way to win when playing the 75-ball variant, whereas the 90-ball version offers three prizes, leading to a greater chance of winning.
- 75-ball games usually have a higher jackpot.
- 90-ball games are played at a faster pace and boast a simplified number system, making them ideal for multiple cards.
- While both variants have chat rooms when playing online, the 90-ball chat rooms usually host chat games, too.
Other Variations
While they are definitely the most popular, there are indeed many other types of bingo games to play aside from the regular 90-ball and 75-ball versions. These include Bingo Roulette, 52-ball bingo, and 80-ball bingo. If you’re a big fan of playing lightning-fast games at online casinos in the U.S., you can’t go wrong with 30-ball bingo, also known as “speed bingo.” Slot lovers will be pleased to discover that there’s even the option to try Slingo, an exciting mash-up of both bingo and slots, along with these other bingo-like games.
Enjoy the Very Best Online Bingo Games at Borgata Bingo
At Borgata Bingo, you can try your luck at a range of exciting games, including the classic 75-ball and 90-ball bingo games, as well as jackpot slots, Slingo, and many more exciting titles. See what incredible gameplay is on offer when you play bingo online. Download the app via iOS or Android or register online to join the Borgata Bingo party.