How to Play Online Bingo in New Zealand | A Guide for Beginners

The history of bingo can be traced back to the 1500’s where people enjoyed a game called ‘beano’ which saw players strike off numbers on their cards that were drawn from a sack. While technology has moved on quite a bit the basic premise of the game remains the same. Bingo players are required to cross off numbers on the cards / tickets given to them.

A typical game of bingo usually lasts for about an hour and can cost anywhere between NZD $20 for 10 games with four cards for each game. It is therefore a much cheaper alternative to craps or blackjack but can provide endless amounts of fun. The prize money is in accordance to the ticket price and is usually around NZD $100 for each game. The key here is to be a good listener as bingo has many variations requiring the player to strike off numbers different patterns : a number in each corner, striking off numbers in a diagonal line or even playing till a player has managed to strike off every number on the card.

Playing in Bingo Halls Vs Online Bingo

Upon visiting the bingo hall, you are required to purchase a game packet from the cashier and are then required to find a vacant seat. You spread out your cards on the table and listen to the numbers being called out. This is also accompanied by light up bingo cards on the walls to help you identify the numbers being called out. When you hear the winning combination, you yell ‘Bingo’ and wait for the host to check your card. If someone else has also called out ‘bingo’ you should still persist as errors are commonplace with this game.

Playing bingo online follows the exact same rules as if you were to play offline with the only difference being that you don’t need to carry cards with you. Furthermore, you can enjoy the game from the comfort of your own home. Here are some of the best online casinos offering your favourite bingo games in New Zealand.

Rules of Online Bingo

The rules of bingo are simple and can be enjoyed both on your computer or inside a bingo club. The game officially starts once the first number is called out. If you see this number on your ticket, then you need to cross it off. You need to be careful of the pace as it can catch you off guard, but it is essential to add to the overall excitement of the game.

If you are playing online, the software being used by the online casinos does the crossing off for you which can take the charm out of playing bingo but makes it easier to track your progress. The numbers will be continued to be call off until someone has crossed the numbers as per the rules of the game.

Different types of Online Bingo

Despite being a simple game, there are many variations to bingo and mostly have to do with the amount of numbers of each ticket and the amount of numbers that can be called.

90 Ball bingo

Each ticket holds 15 numbers that are arranged in a 9 x 3 grid. Numbers 1 – 9 can be found on the first column, numbers 10 – 19 are found on the second column and so on, with numbers 81 – 90 appearing in the fifth column. Numbers are called at random and the player has the opportunity to win in three different scenarios –

1 Line Win – players are able to cross out a complete horizontal line

2 Lines Win – players cross of two horizontal lines which don’t have to be on the same ticket where 1 line was crossed off. They do however have to be on the same ticket as each other.

Full hose win – player is successful in marking out all the numbers on the ticket.

75 Ball Bingo

Similar to the 90 ball bingo, players attempt to cross off the numbers on their ticket as they are called off. Each ticket has five horizontal lines and five columns. Each column is headed by a letter spelling out the word ‘BINGO’.  There are a number of ways to win a 90 ball bingo –

Coverall – players attempt to strike off all 24 numbers on the card

Line wins – players win by striking off a complete horizontal, vertical or diagonal line

Bingo pattern wins – a pattern or shape is declared at the start of the game and the players must strike off numbers to make this pattern on their card. The most commonly used patterns include a cross, chevron and diamond.

80 Ball Bingo

Not as widely played as the 90 or 75 ball bingo, the 80-ball bingo is a relative newcomer to the world of bingo and has 16 numbers in a 4×4 grid. Each column is a different colour and the player can win in one of the following ways –

Line wins – players win by striking off a complete horizontal, vertical or diagonal line

Four Corners – Strike off the four numbers that make up the four corners of the card

Full House – Complete all the numbers on the card