Are you a bingo fan? Thanks to the huge popularity of online bingo, it’s easier than ever now to play whenever and wherever you want to!
And each time you play online bingo, you have a huge range of options to choose from. But how many types of bingo games are there, and how do they work? And on top of that, what other games like bingo can you find online?
We’ll answer each of these questions below to help you get started, so keep reading for all the info you need on the different types of bingo games available today!
The Classic Bingo Variations
There are many classic bingo variations to enjoy, whether you want something quick or a slower-paced game. Online bingo offers you plenty of options to consider, with exciting themes and rules to appeal to players of all bingo tastes.
That means you can keep exploring new bingo game types and discovering fresh twists on the classic approach. But understanding the different types of bingo games available online will help you choose which ones to play based on your personal preferences. To make this easier for you, here are the classic bingo variations you’ll find online:
Speed Bingo
Speed bingo is less common in bingo halls than some of the other variations in our list, but it’s readily available to play online. Why is it so fast? Because speed bingo only uses 30 balls!
That means there are just 30 numbers in play during each game, and you just need to fill a 3x3 grid with 9 numbers that match those called. As the card is so small, prizes are usually only awarded for a full house.
If you’re in the mood for a quick game of bingo, make speed bingo your go-to choice!
Penny Bingo
Just like it says on the tin, penny bingo lets you play for a stake starting at just 1p for every round. That’s ideal if you’re on a strict budget and want to make your bankroll last for as long as it possibly can during your bingo time. You should be able to get through several rounds of penny bingo without staking much at all, so it’s a great option to keep your gaming affordable. Penny bingo usually uses 90 balls.
50-Ball Bingo
In 50-ball bingo, you play with a card featuring two rows of five squares. Each square on the card has a number, with no empty spaces.
While there are 20 more balls in play than in 30-ball bingo, this variation still offers a fast and straightforward bingo experience. You can win by creating winning lines of matching numbers or you can get two lines (a full house).
This variation gives you a nice upgrade from 30-ball bingo before you start playing games that use dozens of extra balls.
60-Ball Bingo
In 60-ball bingo, there are 60 balls in play in each game. Online 60-ball games typically give you 5 tickets, each of a different colour (e.g. red, green, blue, purple, and orange) with a specific amount of numbers on all of them.
You need to mark numbers off a ticket first to win the corresponding prize. Once a particular colour’s prize is awarded, the game continues with the rest of the tickets.
75-Ball Bingo
If you’ve spent any time at online bingo sites or even just seen them advertised on TV, you’ve probably seen 75-ball bingo games mentioned. This is one of the most popular variations, and it’s easy to find online.
When you play 75-ball games, you have a card with a set of numbers (between 1 - 75) on a 5x5 grid. One of the main parts of the game is the patterns: you’ll see different ones on cards, and you need to mark numbers off in the right way to achieve that shape. Patterns might be letters or numbers.
80-Ball Bingo
In 80-ball bingo, you have a 4x4 card containing 16 numbers. This is a great mid-point between the 75-ball and 90-ball variations.
To win a prize in 80-ball bingo, mark numbers off to match the pattern on the card. This might include vertical lines and corners — it depends on which game you play. Columns on the card have their own colour to help you track which numbers you’ve crossed off and spot winning lines.
90-Ball Bingo
The 90-ball bingo variation is massively popular, and you’ll find multiple options to choose from online. It uses a 9x3 grid with 5 numbers on each line, amounting to 15 numbers on each card overall. You can win by getting one line, two lines, or a full house.
Of all the variations, 90-ball bingo games tend to run the longest. That’s terrific if you love the idea of delving into an expanded bingo experience and stay focused on crossing numbers off for as long as possible.
Similar Games to Bingo You’ll Love
We’ve looked at the different types of bingo games available online, but what if you’re ready to try something new without leaving the bingo influence behind completely?
Don’t worry: you can find plenty of other games like bingo online. These are similar to bingo in some respects, but still offer a slightly different gaming experience and new ways to win.
Helpful hint: when you try any game for the first time, take a few minutes to read the rules and get a good idea of how it works. This will give you the info you need to understand what to expect and help you make good gaming decisions.
With that in mind, here are five other games like bingo to check out online:
Slingo!
The popularity of Slingo has exploded in recent years, and now there are lots of Slingo games on the market. If you’ve never encountered this type of game before (and if not, why not?!), the concept is simple: it combines slot and bingo gameplay to create a fresh, bold new way to play for prizes.
Slingo games usually feature a 5x5 grid with 25 numbers and a small slot reel below. You spin the reel to reveal numbers and various symbols (e.g. Wilds), and any numbers that match those on the grid will be marked off.
If you land a Wild, that will let you cross off any number on the column directly above its reel position to help you strategically create a winning line (or ‘Slingo’). Other special symbols can affect the gameplay in different ways.
Lotto
Lotto games are similar to bingo: match numbers to the ones drawn at random to win a prize. The difference is that you can usually choose your numbers instead of being given a random set on a bingo card, though you can also randomise your selection in some cases.
This introduces an extra element of chance, and there’s no need to risk losing out if you decide not to use your usual numbers (the lotto player’s nightmare!).
Keno
Keno is like a lottery and bingo game that originated in China. At the start of each game, you’ll get a keno card featuring 80 numbers (beginning at 1). Circle any numbers that you think may be drawn, creating your keno ‘spots’. Depending on the game, you may choose 10, 15, or 20 keno spots.
When you’ve placed a bet, the game will start and drawn numbers will be shown on screen. Each keno game has a range of prizes up for grabs, and they’re awarded to players who match a certain number of spots.
Bingo Slot Machines
Bingo slot machines are designed to give you the experience of playing the classic game in a casino or other venue. They’re known as ‘class II’ machines, and usually have a bingo card near the reels.
A Random Number Generator (RNG) draws the numbers to keep the gameplay fair, and the aim is to mark off rows across the grid to win. Multiple people tend to play across linked machines at the same time.
Pokeno
Pokeno is a card game that’s part poker and part keno — a unique alternative to bingo. Players have a board showing several playing cards. A dealer has a deck of shuffled cards, and flips one card over at a time. Any player who has the matching card on their board puts a playing chip over it, and the first person to cover a row of five cards will be crowned the winner!
Join Slingo for a Fun-Filled Bingo Session!
In this Bingo 101 guide, we’ve explored a great range of options for when you want to play online bingo or something similar. Slingo is one of the most innovative and versatile alternatives, with a growing range of games to choose from and easy-to-learn gameplay.
You can choose from Slingo releases based on hit TV shows (hello, Slingo Deal or No Deal), Irish-themed Slingo games, and so much more! So, what are you waiting for? Let’s Slingo!
