How to play bingo at PlayOJO

New to bingo? Here's all you need to get started

Learning how to play online bingo is all about creating lines or a full house by marking off drawn numbers on a ticket for prizes. If you're ready to dive into this fun social game, but don't know where to start, we've got you covered. In the next few minutes, this beginner-friendly guide will explain basic bingo rules, how to play, and how winning a prize works.

Key takeaways

• It's easy to learn how to play online bingo

• Bingo variants include 90, 80, 75, and 30 ball games

• Prizes are awarded for matching numbers in lines, full house, corners, or patterns

• Jackpot games can feature fixed, progressive, community, or must-drop jackpots

• To start playing online bingo, deposit, choose a room, buy tickets, and watch the game play automatically

• Online bingo can be played on any device via mobile browser or downloadable app

• Playing at UKGC licensed sites ensures games are fun, safe, and fair

What is online bingo?

Bingo is a game of random numbers similar to the lotto, except it’s played using a multiplayer format. Players buy tickets with a unique combination of numbered squares. Numbered balls are then drawn every few seconds. If a ball matches the same number on a player’s ticket, they mark it, dab it, or daub it (whatever verb floats your boat).

There are various types of bingo games, each with their own sequence of numbers or patterns needed to win. The first player to complete a line, pattern, or mark all of the numbers on their ticket (full house) wins a prize. There are often multiple prizes, so the game continues until all of the prizes have been won.

Online bingo is a little different to traditional bingo hall games. Most obviously, online bingo is played virtually via online bingo platforms like PlayOJO. You'll often find more formats, rooms, ticket prices and jackpot styles than bingo halls offer too.

While offline games can be limited in terms of play times and pacing, online games run every few minutes and are much faster. In bingo halls, you need to focus to hear and mark off called numbers, but in online bingo you can choose to auto-dab. Online bingo also comes with the added benefit of occasional free games, low ticket prices, and bingo bonuses.

The popularity of bingo in the UK has carried over to the online format mainly due to its greater accessibility, especially on mobile devices, while still maintaining that all-important social appeal. It's incredibly easy to pick up the rules and start playing within minutes, making online bingo ideal for beginners.

How to Play Online Bingo Step By Step

Getting started playing online bingo takes just a few steps, from opening an account at a bingo site to possibly winning your first a prize. Here's how to get into your first game.

Create an Account

You'll need an online bingo account to be able to play games. At PlayOJO, simply hit the Join Now button and fill in a few details that help us confirm your identity and make sure you are at least 18 years of age, as UK law requires. We're able to verify this in most cases, but if not, we will ask you to complete the verification process before you can deposit or play.

Deposit Funds

While some sites offer free bingo games to new players, you'll want to add money to your balance to play other games too. Simply go to the cashier by clicking any Deposit button, choose your preferred payment method, and type in a deposit amount from just £10.

At PlayOJO, you'll get 500 free tickets when you deposit and play £10 for the first time - it's the perfect extra for beginners. T&Cs apply.

Choose a Bingo Room

Open the bingo lobby and you’ll find many bingo rooms offering 90, 80, 75, and 30 ball games:

• 90 ball: 3x9 grid of 15 numbers and 12 blank spaces, with 1 line, 2 lines, and Full House prizes. The most popular variant in the UK.

• 80 ball: 4x4 grid of 16 numbers, columns often colour-coded, with vertical and horizontal lines, corners, and sometimes pattern prizes. A mix of 90 and 75 ball.

• 75 ball: 5x5 grid of 24 numbers and a free centre space, columns lettered B-I-N-G-O, with specific pattern prizes. Often called pattern bingo, most popular in the US.

• 30 ball: 3x3 grid of 9 numbers, with only a Full House prize. Games play much faster, often taking only a minute or so.

Some run 24/7, while others open for specific periods of the day. We use Playtech’s super slick bingo software, so you get a big choice of network rooms – with players from other casinos – and rooms that are exclusive to PlayOJO. The number of players can vary significantly between games and rooms, and many players find it another useful consideration when choosing a game.

As well as standard bingo, you’ll also find rooms like Cash Cubes, Deal or No Deal, Fluffy Favourites, Age of the Gods, and Bouncy Balls, with special features and prizes.

PlayOJO has always been about fun and fairness, and bingo is big on both! Look out for PlayOJO-only rooms like Equaliser, Mojo, Free & Fab, and Five Line Fun. If you like extra value and games where all players have an equal chance to win, you’re in for a treat.

Other things to consider when choosing a bingo room include the number of players. More players means more potential fun chat, but less chance of winning. Choose the balance that's right for you.

Buy Your Tickets

Once you’ve chosen a game to play, open the room and you’ll see available bingo game cards or tickets for the next game starting soon. You'll also be able to see the game info, such as ticket prices, available prizes, and the countdown to the next game.

You can click on the tickets themselves or click the BUY TICKETS button to choose a random selection using the Quick Pick buttons, slider or manual entry box. Once you’ve bought your tickets, you can’t cancel them, though you can add more tickets before the game begins.

Play the Game

When the game starts, numbers will start to be called out loud. The great thing about online bingo is that our bingo software will automatically dab off any matching numbers, so all you need to do is watch out for those winning lines.

You can see how close you and other players are to winning the next prize, too, as your tickets or strips will automatically be ordered by those that are closest to winning a prize. If you see '3TG' on a ticket, that means you’ve only got 3 numbers to go.

Winning a Prize

Check the game rules to see what prizes are on offer and how to win, as they differ from game to game. Some prizes are fixed or guaranteed, while others depend on the number of tickets sold.

Here are the most common prizes to look out for:

• One line: A single line of matched numbers

• Two lines: Two separate lines of matched numbers

• Pattern: All numbers that make up the specific pattern for the game

• Full house: All numbers on the ticke

In general, the more players take part, the bigger the prizes. And where the total prize money is divided across 2 or more prizes, the hardest to win takes the biggest share of the pot. For example, a Full House is always worth more than 1 Line.

Sometimes, more than one player can win the same prize. This happens when a called number completes a winning line, pattern, or full house on multiple tickets at once, so the prize is split between the winners.

If one of your tickets wins a prize, you’ll see your chat name announced on screen, and the cash prize will be added to your balance once the game is over.

Different types of bingo at PlayOJO

At PlayOJO you’ll find a number of bingo rooms offering 90 ball bingo, 80 ball bingo, 75 ball bingo, and 30 ball bingo. They might all look similar but each game has unique rules.

Online bingo variants at a glance

Here's a handy table of the differences between the main types of bingo games:

Jackpots in online bingo

Set prizes are not the only thing up for grabs in online bingo games. Many games also carry various jackpots. These can be fixed regardless of ticket purchases, or progressive, growing by a percentage of tickets bought. Some games carry community jackpots, where the winner gets a percentage of the prize (eg. 50%), and everyone else actively playing splits the rest. Then there are must-drop bingo jackpots, whose prizes are guaranteed to be won by someone on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.

Online Bingo Payment Options in the UK

Funding your online bingo balance is easy thanks to a range of familiar and trusted payment options. At PlayOJO, you can choose from VISA and Mastercard debit cards, popular e-wallets like PayPal, mobile-friendly methods like Apple Pay, and instant bank transfers.

Choosing the right payment method for you will come down to personal preference, but since we only partner with trusted payment providers, you can always deposit and withdraw with confidence. Deposits appear in your balance instantly, and most withdrawals are nearly instant too, with 95% of withdrawals processed in minutes. Some payment providers may then credit your PlayOJO bingo winnings instantly too, while others may take a little longer.

Welcome Bonuses Explained

Online bingo welcome bonuses are extra incentives sites use to encourage new players to sign up and start playing. These can be a bingo bonus based on how much you deposit or free tickets for specific beginner-friendly or popular bingo rooms.

Bingo bonuses usually carry wagering requirements, although they tend to be easier to fulfill than slots playthroughs. For example, a bingo bonus may carry 4x wagering compared to 10x wagering on a slots bonus.

Free bingo tickets are great for getting a taste of how the most popular bingo rooms work, especially for beginners. The best sites will also let you keep any winnings you're lucky enough to land during these free sessions.

Whether it's a bingo bonus or free tickets, there are always limits to how long you have to claim your bingo welcome offer. That's why it's always a good idea to check the T&Cs before claiming. Look for important terms such as:

• How to claim: Often you'll need to deposit and/or play a set amount to trigger the bonus, eg. £10 on bingo games

• Payment method restrictions: Some sites won't let you use certain payment methods to claim a bingo bonus, eg. E-wallets like Skrill and Neteller.

• Wagering requirements: This is how much you need to play before you can withdraw any winnings

• Eligible rooms: Check out the rooms your free bingo tickets can be used in before claiming

• Expiry: Find out how long you have to claim and use your bingo bonus or free tickets

How to play online bingo for money: Tips and tricks

Bingo’s pure luck and everyone has the same chance of winning, but there are a few ways to help your money go further:

• Choose suitable ticket prices: Tickets range from just 1p up to 40p or more. Think about how many tickets you'd like to play at once, then multiply by the ticket price to get a per game total. At PlayOJO, ticket prices are shown on each room's icon.

• Check game info before playing: Get all the info you need about the game before you start. Look for the variant (eg. 90-ball), ticket prices, ticket limits, prizes, jackpots, number of players, and the countdown.

• Manage your money: Set a daily, weekly, or monthly bingo budget, divide it into game spends, and stick to it.

• Confirm jackpot triggers: Find out what type of jackpot is available (eg. fixed, progressive, community), how much can be won, and what you need to do to trigger it. Usually, you'll need to get a full house within a certain number of calls, eg. 38.

• Harness the power of ClubOJO: Use OJOplus cashback and loyalty perks to stretch your bingo bankroll and earn free games over time.

• Understand time of day and player numbers: Quieter rooms may mean fewer tickets are competing for a prize, but prize amounts can also be lower if they depend on ticket sales. Always check the room info before joining.

• Play responsibly: Stay mindful of your mood and motivations when playing. If you find yourself getting frustrated, jealous of other players, or trying to chase losses, that's a good time to stop. Aim for fun and treat wins like a bonus.

Common bingo terms every player should know

Bingo is famous for its lingo, but don't let that put you off. Here are the most common bingo terms you're likely to see and what each of them means:

• Full House: Mark off every number on your ticket and you've got a full house. This usually triggers the game's top prize.

• Line: Mark off a vertical or horizontal line of numbers to trigger a line prize. There are usually prizes for 1 line and 2 lines.

• Daub: Also known as dab, this is how you mark off matching numbers on your ticket. Traditionally, it's done with an ink dauber/dabber. It helps you keep track of the numbers you've matched.

• Auto-Daub: One of the best things about online bingo is the auto-daub feature, which marks off matching numbers for you. That way, you can sit back and enjoy the game without worrying about missing any matches.

• Caller: In traditional bingo, this is the person who draws the balls and calls out the numbers. In online bingo, there's no physical ball draw, but the numbers are still announced by an artificial caller, so you can follow along.

• Jackpot: The maximum prize that can be won in the game. This can be fixed, progressive, community, or must-drop. It's usually triggered by being the first to get a full house within a certain number of calls.

• Pattern: A particular arrangement of numbers on a bingo ticket. Patterns are central to 75 ball bingo (and sometimes 80 ball) and can be anything from letters to animals to shapes. Match all the numbers involved in a pattern to trigger the prize.

• Ticket: Often called a bingo card, this is the grid containing the numbers you need to match to win a prize. Different bingo games have slightly different tickets, eg. 90 ball bingo has a 3x9 grid ticket. You'll see matching numbers marked off your tickets as the game proceeds.

• RNG: Random Number Generator. This is a sophisticated computer algorithm that ensures all bingo game outcomes are random. They are tested and certified by third parties to help ensure games are fair.

• 3TG/2TG/1TG: 'TG' stands for 'to go', which means how many matching numbers you have left until you win a prize. So 3TG means you have 3 numbers left to match until you win. At the best sites, your tickets are automatically sorted by closest to winning, which is handy.

Is online bingo safe?

Yes, online bingo is safe as long as you play at a site that's fully licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. This guarantees a level of oversight that's designed to protect players and their data, ensure games fairness, and provide an avenue for complaints, if necessary.

Here are the key safety features of trusted UKGC licensed online bingo sites:

• Digitally encrypted website: Industry standard SSL data encryption technology must be used to protect sensitive player and transaction information. This ensures your data is safe against breaches and hacks.

• Transparent T&Cs: No-one likes them, but clear terms and conditions are the hallmark of a trustworthy online bingo site. These will explain how the site's games and bonuses work and what is expected of you during your sessions.

• Fair games: A Random Number Generator (RNG) must be used to determine game outcomes. RNGs must be tested regularly to ensure they are still fit for purpose and to guarantee that games are never rigged.

• No credit cards: The UKGC prohibits the use of credit cards on online gambling sites. This is a player protection measure to ensure that no-one is playing on credit and potentially developing problematic gambling behaviour.

• Segregated funds: Bingo operators are required to keep player funds separate from corporate funds. We hold customer funds separate from company funds in a segregated Players Account at a big UK bank. This means that all steps have been taken to protect customer funds, though it's not an absolute guarantee in all cases.

• Identity verification: Before you can buy a ticket, you must confirm your age and identity. This is to stop those underage from accessing gambling products, but it also prevents identity theft and money laundering.

• Moderated chat rooms: Moderators or chat hosts are always on hand in the game chat to deal with any negative behaviour such as bullying and spamming. This ensures the atmosphere is always warm and welcoming.

• Responsible gambling tools: The UKGC also requires its licensees to offer a range of player protection tools to prevent the development of problem gambling behaviour. These tools include deposit limits, session reminders, and self-exclusion. Online bingo should be treated as paid entertainment, not as a way to make profit. Wins are never guaranteed, and every game should be played within a budget you are comfortable losing. Our tools are there to help everyone keep things fun.

Common mistakes beginners make

Get your online bingo experience off to the best possible start by avoiding these common beginner pitfalls:

• Buying too many tickets: Buying more tickets does give you more entries, but it also increases your total spend, and it can use your budget more quickly. Remember, every ticket has the same chance of winning.

• Ignoring prize information: Flashy room names often attract new players when you should be considering ticket price versus prize data. Check the game info before playing and compare prices and prizes to find the right balance for you.

• Not understanding winning patterns: Each bingo game variant has its own winning patterns. These may be vertical or horizontal lines, a full house, corners, or patterns. Check what these are in advance to avoid disappointment.

• Confusing bingo variants: Not all bingo games play the same. 90 ball is the UK favourite, but its ticket layout, prizes, and pace are vastly different to the US favourite 75 ball, for example. Take some time to familiarise yourself with the rules before playing.

• Playing without a budget: Not setting a budget leaves the door open to overbuying tickets and potentially chasing losses. Think about a per game or per session limit and stick to it.

• Skipping the game rules: Each bingo site has their own game rules and failing to read them could mean missing out on prize details, bonus terms, or technical issues such as disconnections. Take a minute or two to check the rules so you know what to expect.

Can you play online bingo on mobile?

Yes, you can easily play online bingo on mobile devices in several ways. Top online bingo sites feature bingo software that's compatible with today's smartphones and tablets. That means by simply logging in to your favourite site via your mobile browser, you can access and play bingo from anywhere.

Alternatively, you can download a standalone app for Android and iOS devices. These are designed to offer mobile-friendly bingo gaming, from sticky thumb menus to responsive swipe navigation.

The PlayOJO app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store contains everything from bingo to slots and live casino, so there's no need to download a bingo app and a casino app.

Whichever mobile option you choose, bingo gaming on the go offers the same fun experience as on desktop devices, just in a format you can take with you anywhere.

Ready to get bingoing?

That just about covers it. Now that you're clued up on the basics of how to play bingo, you're ready to jump into a room and start watching those matches come in. A good starting place for beginners is our budget-friendly Penny Club, a 90-ball game with tickets just 1p all day. And there's plenty more to explore from there.

Pick up PlayOJO's 500 free tickets when you spend £10 on bingo and join the feel-good fun.

Frequently Asked Questions