Online Bingo Glossary
The terms and lingo used in online bingo continue to evolve as the game attracts a new generation of players. The modern bingo player is young, predominantly female and gambles at least once a week. She’s technically proficient and primarily plays online.
So, as the player profile continues to unfold, consult our Online Bingo Glossary for the latest online bingo terminology and lingo.
Online Bingo Terms
1TG – One to go
One number left to win, or one square left to be covered.
2TG – Two to go
Two numbers left to win, or two squares left to be covered.
75-Ball Bingo
The dominant form of bingo in the US, 75-ball bingo is played with up to 75 randomly drawn balls. Cards are composed of 25 squares arranged into 5×5 grids. Every square, but the center, is filled with a number.
90-Ball Bingo
The most popular form of the game in the UK, 90-ball bingo is played with up to 90 randomly drawn balls. Cards are composed of 27 squares and arranged into three rows and nine columns. Each row contains five numbers and four empty squares.
A
Admission
The minimum number of bingo cards a player is required to purchase to join a game. The same as minimum buy-in.
Admission Packet
A pack of bingo cards a player is required to purchase to enter a game. Typically, it contains three to six cards and can include tickets to special games.
After Game
A game played after the regular session has ended.
Any Way
A pattern that’s completed in any direction.
Auto Dabber
Most online bingo sites offer a system that automatically marks the numbers off your cards as they’re called. Also called AutoPlay.
AutoPlay
Most online bingo sites offer a system that automatically marks the numbers off your cards as they’re called. Also called Autodabber.
B
Basket Bingo
A bingo game that awards basket prizes instead of cash. Frequently used for fundraising by community and charitable organizations.
Bingo Board
A giant board at a bingo hall, usually electronic, that displays each number as it is called. It also shows the numbers already called. Online, one section of a virtual bingo board is dedicated to displaying numbers as they’re called.
Bingo Card
In 75-ball bingo, a piece of paper or cardboard containing 24 numbers and a free space, arranged into five columns and five rows.
Bingo Lobby
The online equivalent to a land based bingo hall.
Bingo Marker
An ink marker or a dauber used by players to mark the numbers on their cards.
Bingo Mobile App
Many online bingo sites offer dedicated apps for iOS and Android. Bingo apps are a huge hit with millennials.
Bingo Promo Codes
A promotion or bonus offer that requires a code to opt in. Most online bingo websites offer a Welcome Bonus for new players.
Bingo Etiquette
Spoken and unspoken rules of acceptable behavior in bingo halls and online bingo sites.
Blackout
Also called a coverall, a player must cover every number on his card to win. Typically, it takes 50 to 60 numbers for a player to complete this pattern.
Block of Nine
Also called a nine-pack, it’s a pattern covering nine numbers in the shape of a block.
Block of Six
Also called a six-pack, it’s a pattern covering six numbers in the shape of a block.
Blowout Game
A coverall game where numbers are called more quickly than usual. Also called a quickie.
Bonanza Bingo
A variety of coverall, 45 to 48 numbers are called and recorded before the standard session begins. If there is no winner, new numbers are drawn until one emerges.
C
Caller
The person or software program that calls out numbers as they’re selected. Human callers are primarily used in land based casinos and bingo halls.
Chat Room
A space on the internet for players to communicate in real-time discussions about online bingo.
Consolation Prize
A lesser prize awarded to a player who wins in a special jackpot game.
Cookie Jar
Also known as a Lucky Jar, every time the lucky number is called, money is added to the jar. The player who hits bingo on the lucky number wins the Cookie Jar.
Coverall
Also called a Blackout, it’s a pattern that requires you to mark every number on your card to win. Typically, it takes 50 to 60 numbers for a player to complete this pattern.
D
Dauber
An ink pen with a spongy tip used to mark numbers on bingo cards.
Deposit
A player uses credit cards, online banking, PayPal and other payment methods to fund his online bingo account.
E
Early Bird Game
A game that begins prior to the first regularly scheduled game of the session.
F
Face
A face is a bingo sheet with 24 numbers and a blank space in the middle.
Four Corners
A pattern in which a player is required to cover each of the four corners of a bingo card.
Free Space
The middle square on a bingo card is always empty. Players all get that space free.
Full House
A full house is a winning pattern in which a player marks off every number on his card.
G
Game Room
Online bingo players are divided into separate Game Rooms to play.
GTI
Created by GameTech International (GTI), the electronic dauber called TED automatically marks multiple packs of bingo cards as you play.
H
Hard Way Bingo
Players can win with a horizontal or vertical line, as long as it doesn’t include the free space.
J
Jackpot
The largest prize, commonly won by completing a full house, coverall or a difficult pattern within a set number of balls.
L
Late Night Bingo
Also called Moonlight Bingo, it’s a bingo session that begins late at night.
Lights Out
The last game before closing time at a bingo hall or casino.
Lucky Jar
Also known as a Cookie Jar, every time the lucky number is called, money is added to the jar. The player who hits bingo on the lucky number wins the Lucky Jar.
M
Main Stage Bingo
The main bingo game of the session when there are multiple games being played at once.
Minimum Buy-in
The fewest number of bingo tickets you must purchase to be eligible to play. The same as admission.
Money Ball
A ball drawn before the session begins. A player doubles his winnings if he hits bingo on the number that’s on the ball.
Moonlight Bingo
Also called Late Night Bingo, it's a bingo session that begins late at night.
Multiple Winners
Two or more players hitting bingo at the same time. In this case, the prize money is divided equally among the winners.
N
Nine-Pack
Also called a block of nine, it’s a pattern covering nine numbers in the shape of a block.
No Deposit Bonus
Some online bingo sites offer bonus money for registering for an account. You never have to have spend a penny of your own money to qualify for a No Deposit Bonus.
P
Pattern
A shape a player must cover on his card with called out numbers. Common patterns include a horizontal, vertical or diagonal line, an X or a diamond.
Payout
The percentage of sales a bingo hall returns to the player in winnings.
Postage Stamp
A winning pattern in 75-ball bingo in which a player marks off four numbers in the shape of a square on any corner of the card.
Progressive Jackpot
A jackpot that rolls over until there’s a winner.
Q
Quickie
A coverall game where numbers are called more quickly than usual. Also called a blowout game.
R
Rainbow Pack
A type of admission pack with multicolored bingo tickets representing different prize denominations.
RNG
A random number generator (RNG) is a computer program that is used in bingo to pick numbers randomly, one at a time.
S
Session
A program of bingo games played in succession. May include intermissions as well as regular and special games.
Six-pack
Also called a block of six, it’s a pattern covering six numbers in the shape of a block.
Special
A side game, it’s usually played with a different set of cards and during different hours from the main game.
Speed Bingo
Ideal for experienced bingo players, speed bingo usually has one winner and a larger than average jackpot. With only 30 balls in play, the fast-paced bingo game is played with a smaller card with a 3×3 grid and a total of nine numbers.
Split Pot
A game in which the winner splits the pot with the bingo hall or house.
T
TED
Developed by GameTech International (GTI), TED is an electronic dauber that marks multiple bingo cards simultaneously. Players are usually required to pay a fee to use the device, and only one is permitted per player.
W
Wagering Requirements
The amount you’re required to bet before you’re eligible to withdraw winnings from your online bingo account. Usually expressed as a multiple of your bonus amount.
Welcome Bonus
Bonus money earned when making your first deposit into your online bingo account.
Wild Number
Usually the first number drawn in a game. If a two-digit number is drawn, only the second digit is wild.
Winner Takes All
A game in which 100% of the buy-ins go to the winner. The house takes nothing. Winner Takes All games are usually coveralls, in which you have to cover every number on your card.
Withdrawal
Taking money out of your online bingo account. In some instances, wagering requirements must be met before winnings can be withdrawn.
Wrap Up
This is what bingo players call the last game of a session.
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