Everybody’s heard of bingo, even if they know nothing about bingo odds. But the game that started in Italy in the 16th century has come a long way since its humble beginnings. When it first reached North America the game would be played with beans, and the winner would shout “beano!” to declare victory. In one misheard moment the bingo game we know today was born.
Playing a good old-fashioned game of bingo can be extremely rewarding. Whether you simply have a good time or take home the big bucks, everybody’s a winner.
There’s no need to ask the Wizard of Odds bingo questions; we’ll tell you everything you need to know!
Fundamentals
Our goal is to help you better understand the game, learn more about the odds, and hopefully figure out some new strategies to win bingo.
This is how the game goes.
You start by buying a ticket. Each ticket contains a grid with five rows and five columns. Each column has five numbers in it. Numbers start from 1 and the highest number in US bingo is 75.
We can’t tell you specific statistical bingo odds, but we can explain that numbers are drawn at random. When a number is called, players mark their tickets if they have that particular one. In order to win, a player must get five numbers in a row – horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. But depending on where you are in the world, chances are you’ll find some variations to the game. In Europe, tickets have three columns and nine rows, so be prepared for the game to be a little different if you play abroad.
Playing the Numbers
Bingo is a game of chance. But it’s also a game of probability.
Your odds of winning bingo depend on two factors: the number of cards you’re playing and the number of cards that other people are playing. Don’t believe anyone who tells you anything different.
To break it down for you simply, if you buy as many cards as you can, your chances of winning are higher. But the more cards in play by other gamblers, the lower the odds of you winning. That means that if there are 10 cards in play and you purchase one, your chances of winning are one in 10. That’s not great. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to increase bingo odds; the first step is simply to buy more cards.
Keep Your Eye on the Balls
While bingo does depend mostly on luck, there are some techniques you can use to improve your accuracy. This will help you learn how to play odds in your favor. Sometimes it can be hard for newbies to pay attention to the game. Even if your numbers get called, they can easily be missed. This is because most people usually read from left to right, and our eyes might pass over a number and keep looking. Try tracking your ticket from right to left instead. This will help you pay closer attention.
You can’t predict with 100% certainty which numbers will be called, but it’s worthwhile buying cards strategically. Big jackpots are more fun, and potentially more lucrative. Buy a couple extra cards – why not? You could be driving home in a new car.
Strategic Play
One easy way to boost your bingo odds is to play during off-peak hours. Remember, if there are only 25 bingo cards in play and you have one of them, your chances of winning the jackpot are one in 25, or 4%.
On the other hand, if you play during peak hours when there are 1,000 cards and you’re playing just one of them, your chances of winning plummet to one in 1,000, or 0.1%.
If your bingo parlor offers a volume discount, buy a bunch of cards in advance. It won’t increase bingo odds, but it can reduce the cost of playing.
There’s no way of knowing which ball will get called up most often – none of the balls have higher chances of being called than any others. Even if the same numbers keep getting called game after game, this is just a coincidence.
There’s no point in trying to track the most called bingo numbers. Online and offline bingo parlors work hard to ensure that all numbers come up randomly. In the same way, all cards have the same odds of winning, no matter the numbers that appear on them. Each and every card is made equal. If you have more than one card with the same numbers, your chances of winning are the same depending on what kind of draw you get.
Bingo Tips and Tricks
Get ready early
Being ready when the first ball is drawn will ensure you are focused and prepared for the game. If you’re playing at a local bingo parlor, make sure to get there early so you have enough time to prepare for everything. Lay out your lucky charms, get your snacks and drinks set up on the table, and wait for the session to begin.
Take advantage of quantity discounts
Many bingo sites and halls offer discounts when you buy multiple cards at once. This saves you money and increases your chances of winning. It may not increase your odds of winning a bingo jackpot by much, but it will decrease your spending!
Keep an eye on the field and players
Prizes in bingo are fixed. Your odds are inversely proportional to the number of competing cards in the room. You can’t know the exact number of cards you’re playing against, but there are ways for you to take a rough guess by noticing the number of players in the room and listening to what other people are buying while waiting in line.
Make a bingo budget
Set aside an amount of money you’re willing to spend to try and win at bingo every week or every month. Make sure to stick to your budget, and keep a record of how much you spend and gain every session.
Try retaining bingo cards from session to session, if possible
You will already have the advantage of being familiar with the numbers contained in those cards.
Watch Out
If you want to play to win, bingo is a great game to partake in! But, there are a few things to watch out for.
- Don’t select identical number combinations on different bingo cards. This limits your chances of winning. Therefore, variety is key.
- Manage your money. Although bingo is relatively cheap, you shouldn’t burn your entire bankroll in a single session.
- Don’t get ahead of yourself and buy too many cards without taking other factors into consideration, such as the number of players and the size of the jackpot prize.
- Playing the minimum number of cards will certainly reduce your chances of winning. The number of cards you have in the current round represents your likelihood of success.
Casino bingo online
Playing bingo is a great use of your time. There are plenty of reasons for you to try out a bingo game at some of the best online casinos right now. As we’re all trying to stay safe and take care during the pandemic, reading this guide or checking out the Wizard of Odds site can be a great introduction to the game.
There will be times when it’s safe to go back to crowded betting halls and bingo parlors, but for now, why not improve your online game while protecting yourself and those around you?
Online bingo is also great because sites use number generators to ensure fairness. You can even use chat rooms to have a good time with other players knowing that the bingo odds of the game are fair.
The odds in the online game are often far more competitive due to the number of players. But chames are much cheaper, and the hours are great – you can play anytime of the day or night.
Whether you’re at home, on vacation, or at a family reunion, you can start a game and play for as long as you want – online bingo has no limitations.
Bingo winning combinations depend on how many people are in the game and what version you’re playing. Most of those versions have prizes and a jackpot for each game. The mechanism of the online game can be handy for those who like to do some other things while playing the game, as it can mark your winning fields for you. Blackout Bingo is a great version to try.
When it comes to bingo odds, blackout has great opportunities. Choose your own cards and try your luck! You can play it safe by getting to know how many players and cards are involved, and you can decide whether you’re willing to join the game.
Keep in mind that online bingo can go slow if your internet connection is not fast enough, or you can be disconnected due to an overwhelming number of visitors to the specific bingo site. You also want to make sure the site is legit before spending any money.
How to figure out the odds of winning
One of the best ways to get easy money is to look out for big jackpot prizes. The number of players dictates the value of the prize itself, but in the online game, not all of those players are active.
The bingo advantage goes beyond what you might have expected. Bingo will bring you joy, and as a fast-paced game, it will help you stretch your mental muscles.
Make sure you figure out the odds of winning before you start to play for your own amusement. We are all limited during this historic global pandemic. Luckily, you can always play with family at home, or try on one of the many online sites. Choose freely, and test out what bingo strategy works best with you.