How to Play Online Bingo?

What is Bingo?

Like many other similar games, online bingo is based on “lotto”, a game of chance invented in 16th-century Italy. After centuries of evolution, a precursor of today’s bingo emerged as a carnival game in the US. It was called “Beano” and played with beans placed on numbered cards. Later, it was distorted to “bingo” - and the name stuck.

In essence, the game of bingo is a lottery on a much smaller scale. It is a game of chance where players mark off numbers on pre-printed cards as they are drawn by a so-called “caller”. The goal of the game is to be the first to complete a specific pattern - a line, a full house, or a full card. In real life, bingo is played in community halls or dedicated bingo halls. It has variations like a 75-ball or a 90-ball, keeping the game engaging and fresh for the players.

How Does Online Bingo Work?

In essence, online bingo works just like its real-life counterpart, only in a more convenient and accessible setting. You register on an online bingo site, buy virtual cards, and watch as the numbers are drawn one after another. The numbers are marked on your card automatically. 

The core of the game is the same, but the additional features make online bingo much better. You have leaderboards, different game modes, and chat rooms - sometimes even slot machines and other mini-games to keep you entertained while you wait for the round to be over.

The Social Aspect

In online bingo halls, draws don’t happen very often. Sometimes, there are tens of minutes of waiting time between them, sometimes, up to an hour. What can you do to kill time between two draws? 

Bingo sites offer you side games to kill time while you wait. These can be anything from slot machines to quick card games like baccarat or blackjack. But the most attractive time-killer at bingo sites is the chat functionality.

Bingo halls always have a live chat window where players can discuss anything from the day’s news to their bingo strategies. Just like in a real-life bingo hall, you can chat and have fun with your fellow players until the next draw starts.

Types of Online Bingo

Online bingo is played in several variants. For each one, there’s a different type of card to complete, different patterns, and different prizes to be won:

• The 30-ball bingo is played on a small, 3x3 card, and the draws follow each other fast.

• The 75-ball variant has a 5x5 card with one blocked position in the middle.

• The 80-ball variant is not that common. It’s played on a 5x5 card with no blocked positions on the card. 

• The 90-ball variant is played on a 9x3 card with 15 numbers to mark off.

The prizes depend on the type of the game and the pattern the marked numbers form:

• Full house means that all the numbers on the card are marked. This pays the highest prize.

• The Line means that a complete horizontal line of numbers is completed on the card.

• Diagonal is a complete line of numbers marked in diagonal on the card - only possible in the 80-ball version

• Depending on the individual game, there can be payouts available for different patterns. The 5x5 card allows the formation of a variety of them, from double lines and pyramids to various animals, boxes, and their like.

How to Get Started with Online Bingo

There are two types of online bingo games you can find on South African sites. One of them is your basic RNG-powered game that is almost as fast as a slot machine. Here, you play with one individual card that’s randomly generated, and the game marks the numbers quickly and automatically. 

Honestly, it’s a bit boring. Still, if you’re looking for a quick fix, you can find RNG bingo games at Tusk Casino.

You won’t find any online bingo sites aimed specifically at South African players. So, finding an online bingo site may be tricky. Although there are real-life bingo halls in the country, most of them in Johannesburg, online bingo sites don’t seem to be so readily available. 

Playing Safely

If you’re looking for a relaxed gameplay experience where you can chat with other players and maybe play a few spins on a slot machine, online bingo is for you. But no matter how relaxing it may seem, let’s not forget that bingo is still a form of gambling.

Whenever you play online bingo, do it responsibly. While the stakes are low, and the draws can be infrequent, bingo can become an issue if it goes unchecked. So, make sure you manage your bankroll when playing it, and don’t give in to excess. 

Online bingo is a thrilling and convenient way to enjoy this classic game. It has side games, live chat, and often big prize pools and jackpots - in short, everything you need if you are looking for a more relaxed online gambling experience. Just make sure you play it responsibly at reputable and trustworthy sites.