Bingo rules: cards, caller and winning patterns
The caller announces an item. Players mark it if it appears on their card. Agree the winning pattern before the first call.
Prepare the set
Generate a different card for each player. Print the caller list as well as the cards. For question bingo, the caller reads the clue while cards display answers.
Name the winning pattern
A row, column, diagonal or full card can be a winning pattern. Choose one before play and show an example. Decide whether the center is free.
Know how long a game lasts
The pattern sets the length. With 30 players on 75-ball cards, half of games have a line by call 21, but a full card only by call 66. A short word list ends sooner, and more players finish on the same call.
- Bingo numbers and odds: how many calls until someone wins, for 1 to 60 players and for word lists
Call and pause
Read one item clearly, repeat it, and allow time for players to find it. The page caller records earlier calls.
Check a claim
Ask the player to read the marked winning items. Compare every item against the caller history before declaring a winner. If two players finish on the same call, share the win.