Quick answer
The outside edge, also called the picture frame, is every square around the border of the card: the full top and bottom rows plus the full B and O columns. That's 16 squares and 16 numbers, with no help from the free space. It's a long game: one card has under a 2% chance by call 60, and with 500 cards in play the first frame usually comes around call 53.
Which squares make the outside edge?
Trace a frame around the whole card:
- Top row: B1, I1, N1, G1, O1
- Bottom row: B5, I5, N5, G5, O5
- B column: B2, B3, B4
- O column: O2, O3, O4
That’s 16 squares. The B and O columns each contribute all five of their numbers, while I, N and G contribute two each (top and bottom). The free space is in the middle, far from the frame, so it doesn’t help.
Outside edge odds by call
Exact single-card figures:
| Calls made | Chance one card has the frame |
|---|---|
| 40 | under 0.01% |
| 50 | 0.06% |
| 60 | 1.75% |
| 70 | 29% |
Half of single cards finish only by call 73, so with one card a frame is almost as slow as a blackout. With a full room it’s a solid mid-to-late game: our simulation puts the first winner near call 60 with 50 cards and call 53 with 500 cards.
Tips for players
- B and O calls matter most. Ten of your 16 numbers live there.
- Don’t forget the inside of the top and bottom rows. Players watching the side columns sometimes miss an I, N or G number on the edge.
- Check corners twice. Each corner belongs to both a row and a column. It’s easy to think you need it twice or to skip it entirely.
Tips for callers and hosts
Because it takes 16 numbers, the outside edge works as a step-up game late in a session, before the blackout. It can carry one of the larger regular prizes. It also pairs nicely with the inside square (the “small picture frame”) for a matching theme.
Some halls play a “picture frame then coverall” game where the same card continues to blackout after the frame is paid. That keeps players interested without new cards.
Variations
- Double frame: outside edge plus inside square, 24 squares, which is the same as a blackout.
- Three-sided frame: the letter C or letter U, each needing 13 numbers.
- Frame with free space: a few boards shade the center too. It doesn’t change the numbers you need.
Frequently asked questions
How many numbers are in the picture frame bingo pattern?
Sixteen. The frame is the top row, the bottom row and the B and O columns, with the corners shared. The free space isn't on the edge, so all 16 need called numbers.
Is the outside edge the same as the letter O?
Yes. On a 5x5 card a letter O is drawn as the full border, so the two names mean the same pattern.
How many calls does an outside edge game take?
It's one of the longer games before blackout. In our simulation the first winner comes around call 60 with 50 cards in play and around call 53 with 500 cards.
Keep reading
Inside Square Bingo Pattern (Small Picture Frame): Rules & Odds
The inside square, or small picture frame, is the ring of 8 squares around the free space. See which numbers count, exact odds by call, and host tips.
Four Corners Bingo Pattern: Rules, Odds & Tips
Four corners bingo needs just the four corner squares of your card. See exactly which numbers count, the real odds by call, and when halls use it.
Blackout Bingo Pattern: Rules, Odds & How Many Calls It Takes
Blackout bingo means covering all 24 numbers on your card. See the pattern, how many calls a blackout usually takes, and why it pays the biggest prizes.
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