Bingo Glossary and Terms
Below is a bingo glossary of common terms, words and phrases that you may encounter when playing bingo.
Banned – This is due to a player getting kicked of an online bingo site and is not allowed to sign up again. This can be because of many things, including the use of foul language in the chat rooms.
Bingo Board – A board that is used as part of bingo ball machine that is used to store called numbers. Either uses 90 balls or 75 balls depending on the game choice.
Bingo Card – Cards that have numbers written on them what bingo players use to play the game. Cards are either 3 x 9 or 5 x 5 grids depending on the version of bingo and contain random number on them. Numbers range from 0 – 75 or 0 – 90 depending on the game.
Bingo Dauber – An ink filled bottle with a dauber end that is used to mark of bingo numbers. Usually found used by players at bingo halls. One cannot be used to play online bingo.
BINGO – This word is shouted out by a player who thinks they have won. Players need to fill certain patterns on their bingo cards to be able to win the game. If a player gets the required pattern to win the game and fails to shout bingo, the win is void and the person who shouts bingo after them, after completing the same pattern wins. If more than one person shouts they share the pot.
Blackout – A version of bingo were all the numbers on the bingo card must be covered up to win the game.
Blower – An air powered device that mixes the bingo balls in a machine and then dispenses them to the "caller" who announces the number and displays it on a "bingo board".
Bingo Caller – The person who calls the number from the "bingo board". Online this is done automatically by a program, at a bingo hall a person must manually call each number out.
Bingo Patterns - The pattern you need to make on your card with the numbers that are called. Patterns are stated before the game starts and you need to be the first person to make the pattern before anyone else.
Catch up - A online feature that will automatically mark the bingo numbers that are called on your card if you get behind and miss any numbers.
Chat Games – Special games that are held by the chat hosts in the bingo room. These are usually separate from the bingo game and may include something like the first person to type “give me some” will win bingo points.
Chat Hosts/Chat Mods/CM – The people who keep an eye out for people misbehaving in the chat rooms. They can ban people who use foul language or who are not behaving.
Chat Room – Used on online bingo site. Software that allows players to talk to each other through text. Was introduced to try and get online bingo more social.
Coverall - See "blackout".
Early Bird - A bingo game played before the start of a "session". Can also refer to the first game of the session.
First Deposit Bonus – A bonus that each player is only allowed to qualify once for. When the player first deposits any money for the first time on an online bingo site, that player is usually entitled to a bonus.
Free Space – The centre square on a 5 x 5 bingo card (75 ball version) The square always contains the text “free square” and no numbers. This number automatically counts towards a marked number.
Hard Card – Usually used in amusements and fairs. Plastic like cards with shutters on each number. Players then shut the shutter on the numbers that are called out.
Progressive Jackpot - A Jackpot that keeps getting bigger and bigger until it is won. These jackpots usually go up into the £1000s before they are won.
Promotions – Usually given out once per week or month and usually contain cash amounts or prizes for participating in special games.
Minimum Buy-in – Players must buy the amount shown or more. If a player tries to buy less bingo cards than is stated then they are unable to take part in the game.
Multiple Winners – Where more than one person shouts bingo. If this occurs then the pot is shared evenly between all players.
Money Ball - A number is usually drawn before a game that will double a player’s winnings if the player wins the game ending on that number.
Moonlight Bingo - Bingo that starts late at night.
Jackpot – Usually a pot of money that is bigger than all over pots and is up for grabs if players manage to get a “full house“ or a certain pattern with under a specified ball count.
Recurring Deposit Bonus – A bonus that is given out to all players every time they deposit on an online bingo site. The amount usually has to be above a certain amount to qualify.
Split Pot - A bingo game in which the winner will split the money available in the game with the bingo hall or website.
Texas Blackout - A variation of bingo. The game chances depending on if the first number called is either odd or even. If the first number called is an even number then all the even numbers on all your cards are "wild." You need to cover all the even numbers to win. If the first number called is an odd number then all the odd numbers need to be covered to win. The game then proceeds to a blackout where are numbers need to be covered.
Trouble Ticket - A way to contact the support team on a bingo website. Its is usually used instead of a contact page.
