Bingo! It’s a game with a near 500-history that continues to be loved by millions of people across the world.
The game’s simplicity, social element and opportunity to win big money are amongst the main reasons why bingo continues to be a global phenomenon.
Having appeared to be on its way out of favour around the turn of the millennium, bingo is probably now more popular than it has ever been.
The launch of the internet transformed the bingo industry, helping companies in the sector attract a new demographic of players to this iconic game.
There are now loads of different bingo variants available, and new ones are being added into the mix on a regular basis.
With that in mind, we look at three of the top bingo games you can play online before providing you with a useful tip to improve your chances of winning.
Disco Bingo
There was a time not too long ago where bingo had a reputation as a dowdy entertainment activity solely enjoyed by working class people.
Things are very different today, with advancements in technology providing operators with the tools they needed to create exciting new bingo variants.
One of the most popular is Disco Bingo, a new entertainment sensation that is proving to be a massive hit with players across the world.
Your cards are different to what you would expect from the traditional variants such as 75-ball or 90-ball bingo, with the numbers replaced by disco-related terminology.
‘Two little ducks’ becomes a thing of the past as you wait to mark off the disco-themed terms on your card to be called out.
From Dancing Queen to Donna Summer and more, Disco Bingo takes you on trip down memory lane when party night was every night.
You could set up a Zoom bingo session with friends and family where you all get into the groove with disco clothing, music and props.
Disco Bingo is a high-energy game where the traditional rules go out of the window, so pull up to the bumper and let’s celebrate some good times!
90-Ball Bingo
If Disco Bingo leaves you feeling a little too sweaty and breathless, 90-Ball Bingo may be more to your liking.
The game was popularised in the United Kingdom during the 20th century, and remains the go-to variant for millions of players across the country.
Each ticket in 90-Ball Bingo contains three horizontal lines and nine columns. There are 15 numbers on each one and six tickets make up a ‘strip’.
The game is generally split into three sections, with players winning cash prizes for being the first to complete one line, two lines and a full house.
The size of the payout for the three prizes is determined by the number of players who joined the game and the cost per ticket.
Many of the low cost 90-Ball Bingo games offer players the opportunity to win massive payouts as hundreds of players join in the fun.
There is also the possibility of winning huge progressive jackpots if you mark off all 15 numbers on a ticket before a pre-determined total of numbers have been called.
The three-tiered payout structure means you are rarely more than a minute away from someone winning – for many players, 90-Ball Bingo is THE best version of bingo.
Flash Fives
One of the biggest developments in the bingo industry in recent years has been the introduction of exciting crossovers with other elements of casino games.
Flash Fives (or 52-5) is a perfect example of this in action, with the game taking the best elements of bingo and merging them with card games.
Just like in traditional bingo, players purchase bingo tickets for a game. However, each ticket is called a ‘hand’ and includes five playing cards out of the standard 52-card deck.
The caller calls out playing cards randomly and if they appear on the player’s ticket, they are covered by a chip. The first player to cover all five playing cards on a ticket wins the game.
Given the lower target needed to win the game, Flash Fives is unquestionably one of the most exhilarating games you can play online.
With the action coming thick and fast, Flash Fives is the ideal bingo game to play if you are a bit strapped for time.
Sat on the train? Fire up a game of Flash Fives. On your lunchbreak at work. It’s Flash Fives time!
You can even buy up to 96 tickets per game, which could significantly improve your chances of scooping the jackpot.
How to Win Big at Bingo
Playing online bingo is one of the most popular forms of entertainment around and has the added bonus of being a potential money-spinner.
While bingo is classified as a game of chance, there are strategies you can employ to increase your chances of scooping the top prize.
For instance, buying more tickets in a single game can give you a mathematical advantage against your fellow players.
Let’s say you join a 90-Ball Bingo game where you are one of 100 players. If everyone bought a full strip of six tickets, there would 600 tickets in the game.
In this scenario, each player would have a one in 100 (technically six in 600) chance of winning the full house.
However, if you purchased another 30 tickets your chances of winning would become 36 in 630 compared to six in 630 for everyone else.
By doing this, you not only improve your odds of winning, you reduce every other player’s chance of success at the same time.
Although there are no guarantees the strategy will pay off, the mathematics suggest it is a tactic well worth testing out the next time you play bingo.
