Bingo (British Version)

Since the 1960s, bingo has been one of the most popular gambling games available to players in the UK. From the introduction of the Betting and Gaming Act 1960 to 2005, the number of bingo halls increased yearly, displaying its huge popularity.  It is a game of chance where players can purchase bingo cards with randomly selected numbers on them. These numbers are marked off as the bingo caller announces each number. When a player gets a win, they call ‘BINGO!’ to claim their prize.

The History of Bingo

The concept of bingo was first introduced in Italy in the 1530s. It was known as ‘Il Gioco del Lotto d’Italia’ as it was connected to the Italian lottery. The game then became a hit in France, where it was referred to as ‘Le Lotto’. While today bingo is more commonly associated with the working classes, back then, it was a game for the aristocracy. By the 18th century, it had spread across the entirety of Europe. Tombola was another very popular game and was even used to teach German children history, spelling and multipliers.

British Bingo History

It is not known exactly where the term ‘bingo’ came from, but it is thought to have derived from British slang. The game started to pick up widespread popularity in the UK in the 1920s. It was often played at carnivals and fairs, where Hugh J. Ward marketed it to the masses. However, the design of the bingo card did not come until later, as the bingo card as we know it today was designed in 1942 by Erwin S. Lowe.

Larger cash prizes were legalised after the introduction of the Betting and Gaming Act 1960. This is where bingo and bingo halls took off and became a staple in modern British culture. Huge bingo brands such as Mecca were launched at this time, and Eric Morley’s Mecca Leisure Group opened up dance halls offering bingo games nationwide. One of the most famous venues of the 60 locations bingo was introduced to was the Lyceum Ballroom. The Rank Organisation also became a large bingo operator during this time and launched bingo nights across their cinemas, including at the Blackpool Odeon, their largest cinema.

 

British Bingo Cards

What many players love about bingo is how simple it is to play. The most common type of bingo played in the UK is 90 ball bingo. With this type of bingo, players can purchase bingo tickets, each containing 27 spaces with three rows and nine columns. Each column has a set range of numbers it can contain and there will be up to three numbers in each column. Every row has five numbers with four blank spaces.

Column	Set Number Range
Column 1	1 – 9
Column 2	10 – 19
Column 3	20 – 29
Column 4	30 – 39
Column 5	40 – 49
Column 6	50 – 59
Column 7	60 – 69
Column 8	70 – 79
Column 9	80 – 90

 

Tickets are created as ‘strips’, and there are six bingo tickets on a strip. Every bingo number will appear across this strip. This means that when a player purchases a strip of bingo tickets, each time a bingo number is called, they will be marking one off their bingo tickets.

 

How to Play British Bingo

Bingo is a simple game, but players should be aware of how to purchase tickets, bingo lingo, bingo winning combinations and how the game plays.

How to Purchase Bingo Tickets

Purchasing bingo tickets at a bingo hall can be done in just a few simple steps. Visit the welcome desk at the bingo hall to buy a book of tickets. Here, you can specify what bingo games you want to play.

Games at most bingo halls in the UK are divided into ‘sessions’. This can include the ‘early session’, ‘main session’ and the ‘late session’. The main session is normally the most popular at bingo halls and players can enjoy around 11 pages of bingo, plus a half an hour break.

Bingo Lingo

After purchasing your bingo cards, the game can begin. The bingo caller will announce the prizes up for grabs and then the bingo ball numbers as they are called. When you hear the words ‘eyes down’ this means the game is ready to begin. There are three ways that bingo ball numbers may be randomly selected:

• A mechanical draw machine
• Drawing counters from a bag
• Via random number generator software

One of the most famous aspects of bingo is the British bingo lingo that is used when announcing bingo numbers. The bingo caller will usually announce the number in its official form, such as ‘one and two, twelve,’ then call it via the special bingo lingo.

Number	Bingo Lingo
1	Kelly’s eye
2	One little duck
3	Cup of tea
4	Knock at the door
5	Man alive
6	Half a dozen
7	Lucky seven
8	Garden gate
9	Doctor’s orders
10	Prime Minister’s Den
11	Legs eleven
12	One dozen
13	Unlucky for some
14	Valentine’s Day
15	Young and keen
16	Sweet 16 and never been kissed
17	Dancing queen
18	Coming of age
19	Goodbye teens
20	One score
21	Key of the door
22	Two little ducks
23	Thee and me
24	Two dozen
25	Duck and dive
26	Pick and mix
27	Gateway to heaven
28	In a state
29	Rise and shine
30	Dirty Gertie
31	Get up and run
32	Buckle my shoe
33	All the threes
34	Ask for more
35	Jump and jive
36	Three dozen
37	More than eleven
38	Christmas cake
39	39 steps
40	Life begins
41	Time for fun
42	Winnie the pooh
43	Down on your knees
44	Droopy drawers
45	Halfway there
46	Up to tricks
47	Four and seven
48	Four dozen
49	PC
50	Half a century
51	Tweak of the thumb
52	Danny La Rue
53	Stuck in a tree
54	Clean the floor
55	Snakes the alive
56	Shots bus
57	Heinz varieties
58	Make them wait
59	Brighton line
60	Five dozen
61	Bakers bun
62	Tickety-boo
63	Tickle me 63
64	Red raw
65	Old age pension
66	Clickety click
67	Stairway to heaven
68	Saving grace
69	Favourite of mine
70	Three scores and ten
71	Bang on the drum
72	Six dozen
73	Queen bee
74	Hit the floor
75	Strive and strive
76	Trombones
77	Sunset strip
78	39 more steps
79	One more time
80	Eight and blank
81	Stop and run
82	Straight on through
83	Time for tea
84	Seven dozen
85	Staying alive
86	Between the sticks
87	Torquay in Devon
88	Two fat ladies
89	Nearly there
90	Top of the shop

 

Bingo Winning Combinations

Bingo is a simple game and there are a limited number of ways to win. Winning combinations that you may achieve in 90 ball bingo games include:

Winning Combination	Winning Combination Explained
Four corners	Players must mark off each of the numbers in the four corners of their bingo ticket
One line	Five numbers on one horizontal row must be marked off
Two lines	10 numbers on two horizontal rows must be marked off
Full house	Every number on the ticket must be marled off

 

Each game will be different and so it is important to check before you play what winning combinations the bingo caller is looking for. Each game will usually start with four corners or a line and then progresses until the last winner gets a full house and the largest prize available. Remember, you must be sure that you have a winning combination before calling ‘bingo’, otherwise you will annoy other players by time-wasting.

Bingo Gameplay

As the bingo numbers are announced, players can check each of their cards and mark off any that have been called. In the world of bingo, this marker is known as a dauber. Pens or pencils are also welcome at some venues.

When a player completes a winning combination, such as a line or a full house, they can shout ‘BINGO.’ The card will then be checked to ensure the player has a winning combination.

 

What Is Electronic Bingo?

At bingo halls across the UK, electronic bingo is available now. This is an option for players who want to play bingo with more cards than the standard six per game. The game is played on an electronic terminal where the numbers on your cards are marked off automatically, in a similar way to how online bingo operates. The bingo tickets that are most likely to win are then shown on the screen, to make it even easier for players to keep track of.

These terminals are normally small and hand-held. Players can top up their credit on their bingo account to purchase these tickets. The rest of the gameplay is still the same as playing with a strip of paper tickets as you need to call ‘bingo’ for a win and have the ticket checked. Any winnings will then be credited to your bingo account. Other games are available on these terminals, such as slot games.

 

The National Bingo Game

The National Bingo Game has been in operation since 1986 and is open to play in the vast majority of bingo halls. It is operated by the National Bingo Game Association with Buzz Bingo the UK’s largest distributor of this game.

 

The Future of Bingo

While the number of bingo halls increased yearly until 2005, unfortunately, they have been in decline. Many bingo halls have been closed, and revenue has seen a steep decline. According to the Bingo Association, this decline can be attributed to the 2007 smoking ban, higher taxes and more players moving to online bingo sites in the UK.

The future of bingo is set to move more online in the coming years. New, faster and overall better technology has made online bingo easier than ever to access and play over the past two decades. What’s more, many players are now looking to access their favourite bingo games on the go. Online bingo allows players to directly access these games from their mobile devices and enjoy games anytime, anywhere.

Last updated: Jan 24, 2023