Bingo Lingo and Terminology for UK Players

Need To Know Bingo Lingo

Whether you’re new or a seasoned bingo player, it’s important to speak and learn lingo, as it shows that you understand the game and can engage with other bingo players. Let’s look at the common bingo terminologies (from A to Z) that you should know and understand before playing bingo.

• A

  • Auto Daub: This is a feature in online bingo that automatically marks the numbers on your card as they are called, which makes it easier to play multiple bingo cards at once and increase your chances of winning.

• B

  • Blackout: A win condition where you must cover every square on the bingo card to win.

  • Bingo Card: This is a card printed with numbered squares, usually featuring one ‘free’ space in the middle, with which you play bingo games

  • Bonanza Bingo: A game format that is usually played as the 13th game in a bingo session, where a predetermined payout is established and players can win large sums.

• C

  • Chat Host: Chat hosts take on the role of an old-fashioned caller (but in online bingo games), and they moderate chat, interact with players, offer guidance where necessary, and announce promotions.

  • Chat: This is a feature in online bingo games, where you can chat, interact, and engage with other players while playing bingo, often enhancing the social aspect of the game.

  • Caller: Also referred to as an ‘online bingo caller,’ this is the person (or a machine) that calls out the numbers in a bingo game as they are drawn.

  • Coverall: Same as Blackout, this is a bingo pattern where you cover all the numbers on your bingo card to win.

• D

  • Dauber: A special ink bingo pen that you use to mark off numbers on your bingo cards efficiently.

  • Diamond: This is a pattern where you cover a diamond-shaped pattern on your bingo card.

• F

  • Free Space: This is the centre square of a bingo card that is automatically considered filled and does not require a number to be marked.

  • Four Corners: A pattern where you must cover all four corner numbers of your bingo card to win.

• J

  • Jackpot: A large prize awarded, often after you make a special, difficult achievement, such as completing a particular game pattern (like a blackout) in fewer calls than predetermined.

• K

  • Kite: This is a pattern in the shape of a kite on your bingo card.

• L

  • Lobby: This is a section or an area where you can view and explore all the bingo games and bingo rooms available at an online bingo site.

• N

  • No Deposit Bingo: This is an online bingo game where you can play the game without depositing any funds or making any monetary commitment.

  • Nine-Pack: This is a pattern that consists of a block of nine numbers.

• P

  • Progressive Jackpot: A type of jackpot that grows with each game or round until a player(s) wins it, often requiring a specific condition to win.

  • Payout: The percentage or portion of sales that is returned to players as prizes

  • Pattern: This is the shape you need to cover on your card with called numbers to win

• R

  • Roomies: These are players who are participating in the same bingo game, typically sharing a bingo card, or participating in the same game as you.

• S

  • Session: This is a complete series of bingo games, typically lasting between 2 and 3 hours, played in one day.

  • Speed Bingo: This is a fast-paced bingo game format where numbers are called quickly, thus players must react swiftly as the gameplay ends within minutes.

• V

  • Vertical Bingo: This is a bingo game variation where you win the game by covering all the numbers in a vertical line on your bingo card.

• X

  • X Marks The Spot: This is a bingo game where the pattern to win is in the shape of an X on the bingo card.

Bingo Chat Terminology and Shorthand

When playing online bingo, you will also likely come across loads of acronyms that other players are using in bingo chatrooms. Not sure what some of them mean? We have put together a complete table, listing the common bingo chat lingo that you are likely to see.

Different Bingo Games Online for Using Bingo Lingo

Online bingo sites in the UK offer a multitude of bingo games that you can play. Here are some basic bingo games that every bingo fan should learn to play.

90-Ball

90-Ball bingo is the most widely played bingo game in the UK. The game is played with 90 numbers and on a 9-column, 3-row grid. Each row has four blank spaces and five numbers, for a total of 15 numbers. Columns, on the other hand, have numbers 1 to 90, with the first column having numbers from 1-10, the second from 11-20, and so on, with the ninth column having numbers from 81-90.

You win a 90-Ball bingo gameplay when you mark a complete horizontal row, when you complete two horizontal rows, or when you mark off all 15 numbers on a single ticket (full house).

80-Ball

This is the second most popular bingo game with UK players, and its gameplay is simple. You normally start by getting a bingo card, which consists of a 4x4 grid, with numbers drawn ranging from 1 to 80. During the gameplay, balls are drawn one at a time, and your objective is to check if there is a number on your card that matches the ones drawn.

So, how do you win in 80-Ball bingo? Unlike 90-Ball, where the main goal is to complete lines or a full house, 80-Ball offers multiple ways to win: You can win by completing a row vertically, diagonally, or horizontally; marking all corner numbers on your card; or getting a full house. In addition, you can win through custom shapes like diamonds or squares.

75-Ball

In this bingo game, your card contains a 5x5 grid. And during gameplay, numbers between one and 75 are called out, and your objective is to mark the numbers when they are announced. In this game, you win by completing a line, pattern, or full house.

30/Speed Bingo

Also known as Speed Bingo, 30 Ball is the fastest bingo game you will find at the best online bingo sites in the UK. This game features a 3x3 grid, and it’s the ideal bingo game if you are looking for a fast bingo experience or a quick win.

In 30 Ball bingo, numbers are called out ranging from 1 to 30, and your objective is to mark them off on your card or ticket as they are announced. You win when you mark off all 9 numbers on your card to get the ‘full house.’

More on Bingo: Bingo Rules

Tips for Learning Bingo Terminology

Learning bingo lingo is very important to become an experienced bingo player and win more. It can also help boost your bingo gaming experience since you will be able to understand key aspects of the gameplay, including bingo rules.

Below are our top tips for learning bingo lingo easily and fast.

Practice Makes Perfect

Like any other language, the more you talk lingo or use bingo terminology more often, the faster you learn the lingo. For instance, you can try incorporating bingo lingo and terminologies in almost every aspect of your life, such as during discussions or conversations with friends who are also fans of bingo games. You should also play bingo games more regularly, and do not shy away from using the lingo during game sessions or in chat rooms.

In addition, you can join offline bingo clubs or attend bingo meet-ups near you, where you can get valuable opportunities to practice bingo lingo.

Refer Back to This Page

If you find it hard to remember certain lingo and terminologies, you can always come back to our Bingo Lingo page and refresh your memory. We recommend that you bookmark this page so you can use it later as a reference when you come across a term that other players or roomies are using.

You see what we did there? We’ve used the lingo ‘roomie.’ So, if you can’t remember what ‘roomies’ are in bingo games, you can just scroll back up to find the definition.

Make Notes

It may seem trivial, but making notes is one of the fastest ways to learn bingo lingo. For instance, you can write down the lingo or terminologies that you are finding hard to remember, like on a notepad or on your phone, and then practice memorising them throughout the day. After a few tries, the terms will soon become part of your vocabulary.

Ask the Bingo Chat

The beauty of online bingo is that you get to interact with a warm and welcoming community of like-minded bingo fans and players through the bingo chat. Thus, if you have a question or a certain term seems confusing to you, you can always ask for an explanation in the chatroom and other players, as well as the chat host, will be pleased to help you out.

Responsible Gambling

Even when learning bingo lingo, you should also take the time to check out and familiarise yourself with responsible gambling practices and tools that can help you play bingo games safely. Such practices include setting a budget and wager limits, and playing bingo with the funds you can afford to risk. As for responsible gambling tools, many online bingo sites in the UK provide tools like self-exclusion, time-outs, and deposit limits that can help you manage your gambling habits. The sites also provide links to responsible gambling organisations, where you can get more assistance.