Online Bingo Guide
This is an online bingo guide, which will go though everything you need to know to start playing bingo online. Traditional bingo is a game of luck in which randomly selected numbers are drawn and players match those numbers to the ones appearing on their bingo cards which are printed or electronically represented. The first person to have a card where the drawn numbers form a specified pattern is the winner and calls out the word “Bingo!” to alert others and inform the caller of the win. If you are already familiar with online bingo, you can jump straight to our best online bingo rooms or sign-up to the featured bingo room below:
Gameplay – Online Bingo Guide
When playing online, the number of bingo cards you purchase are randomly selected for you by the software. At most sites you have a “change cards or new cards” button if you do not like the numbers on the particular cards you were issued with your purchase. Every online bingo game has a caller and a display board for the bingo numbers. The bingo game pattern you wish to fill in is also displayed. Most if not all online bingo software automatically mark the numbers and call bingo for you. You also have the option to use manual daubing.
There will be an “option” button on every site where you can choose auto or manual play, the colors and shapes of your daubers, etc. Some sites have a “pre-purchase” option that allows you to purchase cards that will play whether you are even logged into the site or not.
There are 75 or 90 possible bingo numbers depending if the online bingo site in question uses US standard rules or European rules. Each of these numbers is represented by a ball in a “random number generator”. An announcer (also known as the Caller) announces it to the room. The players check all of their cards to see if that number appears on their card. If it is, they mark it (or let the card manager mark it for you if in auto daub mode), by clicking on the square it is located in. When a player has a “bingo” in the pattern displayed on the page they should click on the “BINGO” button. Online bingo software has a card manager that does all this for you automatically if you choose. My advice is to use the auto features until you grasp the way the game is played.
Most software today has a “best card forward” feature. Your screen, depending on the software you use, may allow you to minimize or maximize your cards with a “+” or ”-” button to enable you to see many cards at one time or just a few if you prefer a larger version. The best card feature brings up the card closest to the pattern you are trying for automatically and puts in the #1 card position on your screen.
Winning Odds
Player’s chances of winning depend on the number of cards in the game and how many cards he is playing. For example, if a player has 12 cards in a game with 1200 cards, the chances of winning for that player is 1 in 100.
Each player has a number of bingo cards. Using US rules, each bingo card has 5 rows and 5 columns thus providing 25 spaces. Using European rules the card is in 9×3 format instead. Under typical US rules, the columns are labeled from left to right with the letters: ‘B’, ‘I’, ‘N’, ‘G’, ‘O’. With one exception (the center space is “free”) the spaces in the card are assigned values as follows:
each space in the ‘B’ column contains a number from 1 – 15 ;
each space in the ‘I’ column contains a number from 16 – 30 ;
each space in the ‘N’ column contains a number from 31 – 45 ;
each space in the ‘G’ column contains a number from 46 – 60 ;
each space in the ‘O’ column contains a number from 61 – 75.
Furthermore, a number can appear only once on a single card.
Naturally those who buy more cards will have better odds of winning more often. Cards cost each from $0.01 to $1.00 each with most sites playing the major portion of games at 25 cents per card. Different games will have different pot amounts. The pot size is determined by the amount of players who buy into the game and how many cards each they buy. I have won as much on 4 cards as I have won on maximum cards and my spending funds lasted a lot longer. Most sites will have games with set pot amounts no matter how many are in the game. These games are advertised on the sites or the chat hosts will be glad to direct you to the information about them as they will be in different areas on each site.
Jackpots
Usually online bingo rooms offer special Jackpot wins on top of regular wins. I have won several jackpots at different sites. I did win one jackpot of $2,345 playing my four cards. There have been those who have won a progressive jackpot on their very first visit to a site. Remember that when you are given a free tryout bonus with which to play, make sure to read the cash out policies on those because most sites do not allow you to cash out on free money. There is nothing worse than winning a $5,000 pot that you cannot cash out and put in your bank!
For every card you buy, the site will take their portion of the wager that is never entered into the pot to be won. If there is more than one winner, the pot will be split to accomodate each winner getting their equal share. Different sites advertise different promotions that offer bigger prizes. When you sign up to a site, check the box that says “Yes I want to receive the Newsletters and emails about their promotions”. This will keep you up to date on who is paying the biggest pots. At Holiday time, there are ALWAYS lots of sites doing special thing during special hours. At the same time this is good for the paying player, it also brings more players in who just concentrate on the big games, so you will be playing against many more players.
Tips To Online Bingo
For those of you who have never played online bingo before I would like to give you a few heads up hints before you begin. Hopefully this will help you to make your online bingo experience enjoyable. There are 10 years of online bingo education below.
One important difference between online bingo and land bingo is there are many more rules to learn while playing online. It is not the same as in land bingo where you pay your money for your cards, daub them and if you win, you holler “BINGOOOOOOOOO” and collect your money.
Most bingo sites sign-up processes are very self explanatory. On many of them you will be agreeing to the rules just by signing-up….. so read the rules first. If you can’t find them, email the site and ask where you can access them before you sign up.
Some of the different online rules you need to pay attention to are:
Duplicate account rules, play through rules, timed deposit rules, rules concerning bonuses you may get for signing up or playing chat games, cash out rules and chat etiquette.
The first and most important thing for you to do is to read rules. Not understanding the rules can cost you a winning jackpot if you are not very careful. Most online bingo sites specifically state they reserve the right to change the rules at any time without prior notification. The sites who are player friendly, do advise their players of upcoming changes. Some sites have links to the rules or “FAQ’s” (frequently asked questions) posted on their homepage. If you can’t find them easily, the next step is to email the site for a link to them.
Some of the rules that need your undivided attention will be listed below.
1. Duplicate accounts:
Most online sites do not allow “duplicate accounts”. Re: accounts started by the same person or same IP address.
Some sites make exceptions for those who have separate bank accounts within the same household. It is always to your advantage, if you have any doubts about already having an account at a particular site, to email them with your information and ask them if you already have an existing account. The reason for this is that most sites do not check your information with their system (some do) until you request a withdrawal (cash out of your winnings). At that time if it is discovered you have more than one account, your withdrawal request could be and most times will be denied and your account closed. Asking about this will protect you in the case of sites who have “sister sites” you have already signed up though that feed into the site you are considering playing at.
2. Play through rules:
This is one rule you definitely want to have straight in your mind before playing. Different online sites use different amounts of play through for different games, with the casino games requiring sometimes as high as 40X your deposit or bonus, whichever the site chooses. For instance, if you deposit $100 and the play through on bingo is 8X, then you have to wager (bet) $800.00 before you can cash out if you win. On some sites if you play casino games (slots, poker, keno, etc) AND bingo, you will have to wager a higher amount. Some sites require you to play both games, bingo and casino and their respective playthroughs before you can request withdrawal. But the good news is, there are a few out there who do not have these rules.
3. Timed deposit rules:
Check to see if the site has a timed deposit rule. For instance, you must have deposited within the last 7 days in order to request a cash out should you win. Another thing to pay attention to in this area is IF you win and do not cash out and your time limit on deposit days are drawing close, there are some sites which will not let you deposit if you have over a certain amount of funds already in your account. So you must withdraw and wait the amount time required by your particular site to receive your cash out before you can deposit to play more.
4. Bonus Money Rules:
Each site usually gives some sort of bonuses, either sign-up or promotional along with bonus bucks you can win in chat. Those will have a different withdrawal rule than your deposit money will. Again, read carefully or keep asking questions at the site until you understand.
5. Cash out Rules:
Cash out rules vary at different sites. Read them carefully and be sure you understand. If you are from the USA, be sure to check with the site for their methods and time frames for payouts to you.
6. Chat Etiquette:
You will find the chat rules in the sites rules and regulations. They are basically simple. Be nice, they do not like negativity. WTG (way to go) the winners even if you are feeling down because you may not be winning as much. Treat others as you would like to be treated. No site wants you to post your personal information or talk about another bingo site in their chat rooms. If you want to exchange personal contact information with another player, be sure to ask your chat host how to go about it. Your chat host works very hard, always treat them with the respect they deserve. They are people and have “off days” too, so allow them one once in a while. They are there to make your time at that site more enjoyable.
Games Played in Online Bingo
You will see a variety of games and all can be automatically played. Most sites have an option where you can daub your own or use an automatic dauber. Either way, you can be assured you will not miss a number. Each system has a “card manager” that plays your games with you or for you. Even if you miss a number the card manager will still yell bingo for you if you have one and missed it! If you are booted offline, the card manager will finish your game for you. You can see in your personal records whether the game did play or not.
There are many varieties of game software used by the Online Bingo Industry. You might try going from site to site to see which one suits your taste. There is a list of the best sites in the bottom of this guide. Many of them use different software, so try which one you like the most if you are not happy with the first one. There are downloadable games for those with slower connections or older computers and flash games for those who choose not to download.
The greatest part about playing online bingo to me is the fact you can do it in your jammies or whatever you are comfy in. If you smoke, feel free. You are in the comfort of your own home. There are many others who play online bingo for the friendships they find. Many are disabled and can’t get out of the house so this is great for them too. Most sites are open 24/7 so if you can’t sleep you can be sure there is someone in the world who is awake and wanting to play bingo with you.
In summary: Online bingo is fun! Especially if you know the rules and what the game is about before you “sign on the dotted line”. Good Luck to you wherever you decide to play! The next step is to go to the Winner Gambling´s recommended online bingo sites section and choose the sites you wish to play at or register directly below: