Confused by all those bingo terms? Use this bingo glossary to gain the upper hand.

A-C

• 50-BALL BINGO
  A game that use 50 balls; this is quite a rare version which you probably won’t ever encounter in a brick and mortar bingo hall.
• 75-BALL BINGO
  A game that uses 75 balls; although it is available in practically all online bingo sites, this version is most common in North America.
• 80-BALL BINGO
  A game that uses 80 balls; it’s more popular than 50 ball, but still not that widely played.
• 90-BALL BINGO
  A game that uses 90 ball; available on all online bingo sites, this version is favoured by the UK, Australia and Europe.
• ADMISSION PACKET
  The minimum number of cards that must be purchased in order to gain admission to the game – this will vary depending on the specific site or game.
• BINGO CARD/TICKET
  The cards contain the randomized numbers that are to be marked off as they are called; each card is unique. In 75-ball bingo, the 5×5 grid contains 24 numbers (the middle square is a “free space”). Columns are labelled BINGO and organised as follows; B: 1-15, I: 16-30, N: 31-45, G: 46-60, O: 61-75. In 90-ball bingo, the 3×9 grid contains 15 numbers: five number and four blank spaces in each row. Columns are organised as follows: 1: 1-9, 2: 10-19, 3: 20-29, 4: 30-39, 5: 40-49, 6: 50-59, 7: 60-69, 8: 70-79, 9: 80-90.
• BLACKOUT/COVERALL/FULL HOUSE
  A type of game that can only be won if all numbers on the entire card are covered.
• CALLER
  In bingo halls, the caller is the person who calls out the numbers as they drop; in online bingo, the caller is represented by a voice from the software.
• CHAT MODERATOR/MONITOR/MANAGER
  The CM is the host of the chat rooms and is in charge of making sure that the conversation flows smoothly and that it remains fair, and is there to answer any questions.
• CHAT ROOM
  A bingo game that allows player to chat as they play; it adds some extra entertainment and sometimes even other giveaways by the CM.
• CONSOLATION PRIZE
  In progressive jackpot games, if the prize is not won within the specified number of calls, consolation prizes of smaller amounts may be awarded.

D-M

• DEPOSIT BONUS
  Some bingo sites award members with extra funds or bingo points after every single deposit they make. (Also check out in this bingo glossary the “No Deposit Bonus” term).
• EARLY BIRD GAME/WARM UP
  A game that is held earlier than usual, or the first game in session for the day.
• FOUR CORNERS
  A bingo pattern in which a player must mark off numbers in each of the four corners of the card.
• GAME ROOM:
  Each online bingo site is divided into rooms that offer different variations and prizes.
• HARDWAY BINGO
  A bingo pattern that is achieved by covering numbers in a straight line (without the free space).
• INSIDE SQUARE
  A bingo pattern that is achieved by covering the numbers in the I, N and G columns that surround the free space.
• INSTANT BINGO
  A version of bingo which is a lot quicker; after purchasing a ticket, players immediately ‘unhide’ or ‘scratch’ it to reveal their numbers. They then match them up against the winning numbers that have been drawn in advance, thus knowing instantly whether they have won or not.
• JACKPOT
  The prize that is won for achieving the predetermined bingo pattern; this is mostly given in the form of cash, but can sometimes be a different prize, such a vacation. No bingo glossary will be complete without this term!).
• LATE NIGHT/MOONLIGHT BINGO
  Bingo games that only start late at night, usually at or after 10pm.

M-P

• MONEYBALL BINGO
  A game in which a number is drawn at the start of the game; if a player hits bingo using that predetermined number, the prize is doubled.
• MULTIPLE WINNERS
  If more than one player wins the jackpot then the total jackpot prize is divided amongst them, evenly.
• NINE-PACK
  A bingo pattern that is won by covering nine numbers in the shape of a block, anywhere on the card.
• NO DEPOSIT BONUS
   (This is one of the most important terms in this bingo glossary you should be familiar with) A monetary bonus that is awarded to the new member without the prerequisite of having to deposit a minimum amount first.
• ONE/TWO/THREE TO GO
  Players usually use this term in chat rooms to indicate that they are close to a win and only have one/two/three squares to cover before they get bingo.
• PATTERNS
  Some 75-ball bingo games require players to cover numbers in a specific patter in order to win, for example, a star, square, diagonal line, the shape of a letter etc.
• PAYOUT
  A payout is the sum of all money that players have won, that is paid out to their bank account/debit card/credit card. Players can usually request their payouts at any time, and depending on the method, could take a few days to reflect.
• POSTAGE STAMP
  A bingo pattern in which a player must cover a 2×2 grid in the top right corner of the card where a postage stamp would be on an envelope; some games allow the ‘stamp’ to appear anywhere on the card.
• PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT
  If these jackpots are not won within a specific number of calls, they continue to grow until there is a lucky winner.

R-Z

• RAILROAD TRACKS
  A pattern in which the player must cover all numbers in the I and G columns, resembling a railroad track.
• RNG
  The random umber generator is the computer/software program that generates the bingo numbers in a totally random fashion.
• ROOMIES
  The nickname for players who chat in a chat game/room.
• SIX-PACK
  A bingo pattern that is won by covering six numbers in the shape of a block, anywhere on the card.
• SPEED BINGO
  A version of the game that is sped up – numbers are called at a much faster pace.
• TEXAS BLACKOUT/BLOWOUT
  A bingo variation; if the first number called is even, then all even numbers on the card are considered wild (and thus, automatically covered). If the first number is odd, then all the same applies to the odd numbers. The game carries on as a blackout/blowout.
• WELCOME BONUS/FIRST DEPOSIT BONUS
  A monetary bonus that is awarded to the new member after they have made their first deposit.
• WTA
  Winner takes all; a coverall game in which the winner is awarded the full amount of the winnings (i.e. the house doesn’t take a cut).

Hope this bingo glossary was helpful! Looking for more guides? Go to our bingo tips section.