Are you a new bingo player that’s learning the ropes, or someone who knows that Dancing Queen in bingo isn’t about a drag artist at the club? Even if you're a bingo expert, you might need a hand getting started with online bingo. Well, it must be your Lucky Pants day, because we have this guide to help you out!
How to play bingo
Ok, so first things first, you should know that all games of bingo are run by someone called a caller or host. What this person needs to do is simply pick numbers and call them out for players. If you’re worried that a caller may try to pull a fast one, don’t stress. That’s impossible! These numbers are usually drawn from something — like a bingo cage or even just a regular old bag — so that their picks are completely random. In
online bingo, the game uses random number generator software to, well, randomly pick numbers in the game.
After the number is called, players mark it off on their real or not-so-real bingo cards. You can also sit back and relax and set the game to automatically mark off numbers for you.
Bingo cards — just like bingo players — come in different shapes and sizes. The cards most commonly used have a 5x5 or 9x3 grid (for 75 ball and 90 ball bingo respectively) with random numbers in each square.
In 90 ball bingo, you need to mark off one, two, or all three rows (known as a full house), to win. The more rows, the bigger your prize! In 75 ball bingo, you need to mark off either a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal row, or another pattern, to win the game. But don’t expect to share in this bingo game — in 75 ball bingo, there can only be one winner.
Wait! There’s still one more very important question. No, not which pants should you wear today (the answer is always, your Lucky Ones, duh!), but rather, which site should you play on?
Picking the right site
You pop onto the internet, search for online bingo, pick a site and just start playing, right?
Wrong!
There are many things you should keep in mind if you want to be safe and have a good time.
Are they licenced to thrill?
The first thing to do is to check if they’re legal. Most countries have licences to ensure online gambling sites are legit, so make sure the site you’re interested in is registered with your local gambling authority. If you don’t you might find yourself getting ripped off by a rogue online casino (yes, even websites can look too good to be true), or possibly even breaking the law (and we all know handcuffs aren’t a good look)!
If you live in the UK, check that the site is registered with the Gambling Commission, and which activities and games they have licences for before you play.
Does their service work?
Imagine you’re in the middle of a bingo game, and the app on your phone just goes bonkers, or the site suddenly stops working. Not only is it annoying, but you might have wasted your money as well!
Even licenced sites can have problems, so be sure to do some Googling before you sign up. Social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, or game forums can help you check if a site is dodgy.
Variety is the spice of life
Sure you may LOVE playing bingo, but even chocolate cake can get a bit boring if you ate it every day. Make sure the site has other games, like
slots, table games, scratchcards, and Slingo bingo (a great game for players who like both slots and bingo), so you don’t have to waste your time signing up elsewhere if you want to try something new.
They reward their players
You get a bonus! You get a bonus! Everyone gets a bonus! Whether the casino operator is an Oprah fan or not, the best sites usually offer players a range of rewards to thank players for signing up or playing regularly.
Some of these extras might not seem like a big deal, but if you play regularly they can definitely add up over time (just like those biscuits you’ve been sneaking, but in a good way).
Do you have the freedom to play (almost) anywhere
If you remember a time that mobile phones weren’t smart, you’d remember a time when mobile gaming meant games like Snake. Not to diss Snake (it was pretty wicked), but it’s a good thing that we’ve moved on since then.
Today we have smartphones and tablets for even better games that you can play anywhere (yes, there’s even more for you to play on the loo). When you choose an online bingo site, make sure they have a mobile app, or that their website works on your tablet or phone. Now you can play bingo anytime, anywhere — woohoo!
Looking for online bingo buddies?
Some people are looking for a bingo site to play on, while others are looking to find some new bingo buddies (or maybe even more). If you’re looking to find some passionate players to have a cracking good time with, make sure the site has chat games so you can meet other people.
Also make sure it has private messaging tools, just in case you don’t want people reading your messages from your mates (or if you’re looking to get a bit flirty with that cutie from the other night).
Do you need a hand?
Whether you were born before computers existed or got an iPhone for your first birthday, you’re still bound to have a problem playing online at some point. When things do go wrong, the site should have the right people ready to help. Doesn’t matter if it’s 2 in the afternoon or 2 in the morning, a good online bingo site has friendly support staff available 24/7.
Try out different bingo games
You’ve taken our advice above, found a great bingo site, and made your first deposit so you can play bingo. But where do you start? Most people will be familiar with 90 or 75 ball bingo, but there are many more, including 80 and 30 ball bingo. Each of these offers a different experience, so be sure to try them all before you get too comfy with one game.
Begin your adventure with Lucky Pants Bingo
Yay! Looks like you’re ready to start on your online bingo journey! Well, you are in the right place — Lucky Pants Bingo is a great place to start. We offer a premium service that’s fully licenced in Great Britain, and has over 1000 games, including popular 90 ball, 75 ball, and 5 line games. Not only that, but we also have 24-hour support, so you can get help at any time of the day or night.
No matter what your taste is, you can find fun and exciting bingo games and more at Lucky Pants Bingo. Have a look around to join the best online bingo experience!
