5-line bingo review

HOW DID 5-LINE BINGO ORIGINATE?

Bingo has been around for many decades, but most players tend to play the classic British game, 90-ball, or its younger sibling from the US, 75-ball. However, there are some who know there’s another exciting version of the game that combines aspects of these experiences: 5-line, also known as Swedish bingo!

When and how 5-line appeared and made its way into the hearts of Swedes has been lost to the sands of time (or simply disappeared from Google), but Swedish people have been fans of bingo for many decades. An article on the Scandinavia Standard website reveals the industry makes millions of dollars every year, which is not only due to its popularity, but also the highly competitive nature of players in the country. It also mentions that even though bingo clubs are less popular than they used to be (sadly a trend playing out all around the world), many of our Nordic friends (particularly younger fans) like to play online, and also at the drive-in in the countryside! (Games and the beautiful outdoors – what more could you want?)

THE BASIC RULES OF PLAY

The good news is that it’s dead-easy to pick up 5-line if you’ve ever played 75- or 90-ball. It takes the 5x5 card from 75-ball and adds a number to the centre (no freebies, sadly). It then draws on the rules of 90-ball in how players win, as players must complete a line to claim a prize. The great thing is that it’s not just the 3 lines that you’d find in 90-ball, but a whopping total of 5 lines! (This makes sense when you think about the name.) Most sites count these lines horizontally, but some sites also allow players to mark numbers vertically.

Apart from these differences, 5-line’s the good old game you know and love. Listen to the calls, and mark off the numbers that you match (you can even get the game to do it automatically if you’re playing online), and – fingers crossed – maybe Lady Luck will send some good fortune your way!

PROS AND CONS

If you’re a 5-line virgin, you’re probably wondering what this game offers (both good and bad) that other games don’t. Here’s a few points:

• More chances to win: With 5 lines, this version offers you more chances to win than 90-ball!
• No free number: Unlike 75-ball, which uses a similar card, you don’t get a free number in the centre of the card.
• Less competition: Most people prefer to play 75- or 90-ball, which means that you have a greater chance of winning since you’ll be playing against fewer competitors!

TIPS AND STRATEGIES

Bingo is a game of luck, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take steps to have a great time, or maybe even nudge fortune slightly in your favour. Here are a few tips and strategies you can take advantage of:

• Increase your chances of winning with more cards – This strategy is fairly straightforward: more cards mean more chances of winning! Of course there are a couple of “downsides” to this, the first being you obviously have to spend more to play with more cards. The other “negative” is only a negative if you’re a more laid-back player, and that is you’ll have to stay focused if you don’t want to miss a number (unless you’re playing online, in which case the game might be able to mark off numbers for you)!
• Play during quieter periods – This is a slightly “sneakier” tip in that it’s less about boosting your odds of winning, and more about increasing your odds of not losing! Fewer players means less competition, so choose to play when there are only a few people in the game to make the most of your cards.
• Take advantage of promotions – To get the most out of your budget, it’s a good idea to take advantage of any offers or promotions that may come along. This tip won’t increase your chances of winning directly, but will give you the opportunity to play more games, which might mean more wins.

ENJOY THE BEST BINGO GAMES AND MORE AT LUCKY PANTS BINGO

The great news is it doesn’t matter what type of online bingo games you like: from 75- to 90-ball, we have so many for you to enjoy at Lucky Pants Bingo. These games also come in a variety of titles, from Rollercoaster and Rainbow Riches to even Emoji Bingo. So no matter what your favourite style of game is, you’re bound to find something up your alley. But if you need a break and would like to try something else on our bingo site, we also have other games for you to enjoy like Slingo bingo, slots, and even scratchcards!

To get in on the excitement, all you have to do is sign up with Lucky Pants Bingo!