Bingo games
Types of Bingo Games
Bingo isn't one game. Here's how each version works and which one you'll find in US halls and apps.
Quick answer
The main types of bingo are 75-ball (the standard US game, played on a 5×5 card with a free center space), 90-ball (the UK game, played on a 9×3 ticket), 80-ball (a 4×4 card), and 30-ball speed bingo (a 3×3 card). US bingo halls and most American bingo apps use 75-ball bingo.
| Game | Balls | Card | Free space | Most popular in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75-Ball Bingo: How America's Favorite Bingo Game Works | 75 (numbered 1–75) | 5×5 grid, 24 numbers | Yes — center square | United States and Canada |
| 90-Ball Bingo: How the UK Game Works (Tickets, Lines & Full House) | 90 (numbered 1–90) | 9×3 ticket, 15 numbers (5 per row) | No | United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia |
| 80-Ball Bingo: The 4×4 Game Explained | 80 (numbered 1–80) | 4×4 grid, 16 numbers | No | Online bingo sites, mainly in the UK |
| 30-Ball Bingo (Speed Bingo): Rules, Card and How Fast It Plays | 30 (numbered 1–30) | 3×3 grid, 9 numbers | No | Online bingo sites, mainly in the UK |
| U-Pick-Em Bingo: Choose Your Own Numbers | Usually 75 (numbered 1–75) | Player-selected numbers marked on a special card | No | US charity and tribal bingo halls |
| Bonanza Bingo: How the Pre-Drawn Coverall Game Works | 75 (commonly about 48 pre-drawn) | Sealed 75-ball card, 24 numbers | Yes — center square | US charity, VFW and tribal bingo halls |
| Pull-Tabs: How Bingo Hall Pull-Tab Tickets Work | None — outcomes are pre-printed | Paper ticket with perforated tabs hiding symbols | Not applicable | US charity bingo halls, bars and tribal venues; especially Minnesota |
75-Ball Bingo: How America's Favorite Bingo Game Works
75-ball bingo is the standard US bingo game. Learn the 5×5 card layout, which numbers go under B-I-N-G-O, the patterns you can win with and how a game is called.
90-Ball Bingo: How the UK Game Works (Tickets, Lines & Full House)
90-ball bingo is the main game in the UK. Learn how the 9×3 ticket works, how one line, two lines and full house are won, and how it differs from US 75-ball.
80-Ball Bingo: The 4×4 Game Explained
80-ball bingo uses a 4×4 card with 16 numbers and no free space. See how the columns work, which patterns win and how many calls a game usually takes.
30-Ball Bingo (Speed Bingo): Rules, Card and How Fast It Plays
30-ball bingo, or speed bingo, uses a 3×3 card with 9 numbers from 1 to 30. Learn the rules, why games last only a minute or two and how the odds work.
U-Pick-Em Bingo: Choose Your Own Numbers
U-Pick-Em bingo lets players choose their own numbers instead of playing a printed card. See how it works in US halls, how winners are decided and the odds.
Bonanza Bingo: How the Pre-Drawn Coverall Game Works
Bonanza bingo is a coverall game where most numbers are drawn before cards are sold. See how sealed bonanza cards work, how the winner is found and the odds.
Pull-Tabs: How Bingo Hall Pull-Tab Tickets Work
Pull-tabs are paper instant-win tickets sold in US bingo halls, bars and charity venues. Learn how they work, how odds are set and how states regulate them.