Whether you’re a complete beginner or you frequently play bingo online, you’re most likely aware of the fact that the game requires you to complete a certain bingo card pattern, whether you’re playing in-person or online bingo games.

There are many different bingo game patterns to choose from, ranging from simple patterns which require as little as four numbers to complete, to tricky shapes which take a little longer.

Before you jump headlong into daubing numbers on bingo tickets, it’s a great idea to check out the most popular bingo patterns that you’re likely to come across. The various patterns may have different odds, so being aware of the chances of winning a bingo game may help you choose which one you’d like to play.

So, let’s take a look at the different bingo patterns and how they affect the odds.  

Bingo patterns and odds

As mentioned, there are some bingo game patterns that require fewer numbers than others. Although these games are generally speaking easier to complete, they’re by no means a walk in the park. There are a number of different factors that impact your chances of winning a bingo game and which affect the odds of a particular game. 

Of course, bingo is mainly a game of chance and while odds may differ slightly according to a particular pattern, other factors can indeed alter the odds in a bingo game. These factors can be how many bingo cards you have (since more bingo cards can improve the odds of winning,) the number of players in the particular game (given that more players mean lower odds of winning,) or even the version of bingo you’re playing (whether it’s 75- or 90-ball bingo).

When it comes to improving your chances of winning, it’s important to choose an appropriate number of bingo cards, which means just enough to increase your chances of winning but not too many to handle. Just as important is choosing the right time of day to play when you’ll be unlikely to have a big number of players. 

Selecting a card with a good spread of even, odd, high and low numbers is also important, as is playing a game with a pattern you feel comfortable with. 

Types of bingo patterns

There’s a huge number of different bingo patterns to choose from – in fact, far too many to cover in any one list. That said, we’re going to look at some of the most popular patterns and how difficult they are.

Most of the patterns here are played in 75-ball bingo although some may also feature in 90-ball bingo. In most cases, you’ll have a one-line, two lines and full house as the base wins in a bingo game, while a special pattern is more likely to be the key to winning the jackpot.

One line

This pattern is usually one of three standard bingo patterns in every game and is the easiest to achieve. As the name suggests, you simply have to fill in a single line of numbers where the number of numbers in a line will depend on whether you’re playing 75- or 90-ball bingo.

A single line can usually be a horizontal, vertical or diagonal line.

Two lines

The two-line pattern is usually also part of every bingo game. It’s almost as easy as the one-line pattern – all you have to do is form two lines on the same bingo ticket. The direction of your first line will determine where the second line needs to be, in addition to which both will depend on the type of bingo game you’re playing.

Full house

Full house is the third standard pattern in bingo, with the reward likely to be larger than for the previous two. It usually means that every square on a bingo card has been covered and signals the end of the game.

Four corners

This is one of the easiest patterns since it only requires four numbers to be covered. As the name suggests, these have to be the four numbers in each corner of the card.

Numbers and letters

This is probably the most common bingo pattern outside of the three standard patterns. They are easy for players to recognize and, as such, are relatively simple to fill out.
Some of the most common letters used are T, H and X; while numbers can vary, with 3, 4, 7 and 8 being relatively common.

Top, middle, bottom

Sometimes called “Layer Cake,” this is another popular pattern. Players must fill out three separate horizontal lines, the top, middle and bottom rows of the grid. This will leave just two lines on the grid empty.

Outside edge

Outside edge involves daubing off sixteen numbers, all found on the four lines that go around the edge of the ticket. Because this requires a square ticket, it’s exclusive to 75-ball bingo. It’s a difficult type of pattern and is not used as commonly as those mentioned above.

Any four numbers

If you’re looking for a rapid game of bingo that’s over almost as quickly as it began, then any four numbers should be your go-to. All you need to win is to cross out four numbers that are called first. The speed and ease of this pattern mean that prizes are usually relatively small.

Clock

Also known as the clock-face pattern, this pattern consists of a large circle made around the outside of the ticket with a diagonal line on the inside representing the clock hand. Although this is a familiar shape to most players, it’s quite a difficult pattern to achieve. Although the clock hand can usually be anywhere inside the clock, some games may require it to be in a specific place in order for you to win 

Windmill

Things are starting to get a little more complicated now and the following types of patterns are an excellent way of getting your family to play bingo. 

This pattern only leaves eight blank spaces and you’ll need to create a square of four numbers in each corner of the card as well as one in the very center of the ticket. This pattern represents a traditional windmill.

Bell

Think of an old-school church bell and you’ll get the gist of this pattern. It also looks very similar to a Christmas tree, however, so over the festive season some might change its name to the “Christmas tree” pattern.

The pattern consists of 13 dubbed numbers, with one on the top line, three on the second and third line, five on the fourth line and one on the bottom line.

Pyramid

This is another relatively popular bingo pattern and uses only nine spaces on the ticket, which makes it quite easy to achieve. One number at the top, three in the middle and five on the bottom of three lines on the grid will get you a pyramid win.

Of course, where exactly the pyramid must be located will depend on the game you’re playing, as some might require you to have it in a specific spot while others will let you place it anywhere.

Arrow

This is another multi-direction pattern, which can be created in any corner of a 75-ball bingo grid. Like the pyramid, this takes up only nine spaces, which means it’s also quite simple to form. 

You’ll be required to fill in three spaces going horizontally and vertically in the corner of a ticket, then to form a diagonal line from the arrow point across the rest of the grid. 

Choose from a variety of patterns and games with Borgata online

These are just some of the most popular bingo patterns out there and whether you’re playing virtual bingo, in-person bingo or a variant like Slingo online, you’re likely to come across many other types of patterns.

Register with Borgata Bingo and choose from your favorite bingo varieties every time you play.