Bingo Glossary

BINGO LINGO

Although Bingo game is simple and easy to learn, if you are not familiar with its lingo you might face certain difficulties. In order to avoid such sorry situations we have assembled a small but quite efficient regular/ online Bingo dictionary:

Caller: The person who announces bingo numbers as they tumble from the holder.

Coverall / Blackout: A bingo pattern where you must cover all numbers on the card in order to win.

Dauber: A foam-tipped bottle/pen filled with ink used to mark the numbers called. It is available in many fun colors and shapes. Daubers are the only acceptable method of marking paper cards in bingo parlors.

Free Space: The center square on your bingo card. It’s a freebie, and it counts toward your winning bingo pattern.

Game Board: The display board that shows what bingo balls are in play

Game Variations: Different ways that a game can be played, such as Double Bingo, Triple Bingo, Coverall, Progressives and Hardway. Each variation has its own specific rules, which are listed in your game program.

Hall Ball: First number drawn at the beginning of a Bingo session.

Hardway Bingo: Bingo pattern in a straight line without using the free space.

Double Hardway: Bingo pattern in two straight lines on the same card without using the free space.

Jackpot: A big prize usually awarded for completing a difficult pattern, such as the blackout, in a specific number of balls.

Progressive Jackpot: A jackpot that grows until it is won and requires a separate buy-in.

Minimum Buy-In: The minimum amount of money you are required to spend to be eligible for prizes.

Money Ball: A number drawn before the game that doubles your winnings if bingo is called on that number.

Pattern Bingo: A specified pattern you need to cover on the bingo card in order to win the game, such as Letter X, Letter T, or Blackout.

Rainbow Pack: Packet of assorted-colored bingo cards that allow players to play for more than one prize denomination at once.

Outside Square: A large-square bingo pattern. Player must mark all numbers in the B row and O row, and the top and bottom lines on the same card in order to win.

Inside Square: A small-square bingo pattern. Player must mark all the numbers surrounding the free space in the I, N and G columns.

Validation: A players winning is being verified so as to determine his eligibility for the jackpot award.

Wild Number: The wild number is determined by the first number called in a game. For example, if the first number called is G47, then all numbers ending with 7 will qualify as a wild number and should be daubed on all bingo cards.

Don’t you feel luckier already?