75 Ball Bingo

Online bingo games have proliferated since the relaxing of the gaming regulations in 2005, rising from less than 20 to over 350 today. As well as the accessibility, it is the chat room facility that seems to have captured the player’s hearts. Ironically, traditional Bingo halls where people met face to face frowned on talking during games, online, the cards are marked automatically, so players can chat away without worrying about missing a win.

Types of game

There are four main variants on the bingo game played online; which are 75 ball, which is an American version; 90 ball is popular in Britain, Australia and South America; there is a speed version which uses only 30 balls; and then 80 ball, which is a 75/90 cross. Apart from the differing numbers of balls the games main differences are the game cards where the numbers are marked off. These have varying amounts of numbers to be filled, different winning patterns, and free squares.

75 Ball Bingo

Players purchase one or more cards for each game, with each card featuring a 5 by 5 grid of numbers randomly generated from the possible 75 available, the middle square does not have a number and is a ‘free’ square that comes into play immediately. The bingo websites use random number generating software to deliver 1 to 75 in an unpredictable manner. Even with just 75 numbers the odds against the exact same sequence coming up are so high that each game is effectively unique.

Winning

The website marks off the game cards automatically and prizes are awarded at different stages of the game. Before the start of each game particular patterns are nominated; blocks lines and stars for example. If these are made up anywhere on a player’s card they win the prize for that stage of the game. The game can stop there or continue until someone crosses off all their numbers, which makes a full-house. In some games with numerous players there is a special prize, the crown jewels; won if the card is filled when 42 numbers or less have been called.

Popularity

Enthusiastic bingo players swop between different websites and share their experiences in the chat sessions. Providing a seamless experience for the players is crucial to keep their loyalty, sites that regularly crash or slow down due to heavy demand are quickly dropped.