Bingo is a game of chance that anyone can play. The game is played using a scorecard containing 25 squares. If you manage to get 5 squares in a row, you win the game!
Step
Part 1 of 2: Preparing for Bingo
Step 1. Prepare at least 1 score card for each player
The Bingo scorecard has 25 squares each containing a random number, and the words BINGO on the top.
- You can get Bingo scorecards from game supply stores or online.
- If you play Bingo with your kids, look up and print blank bingo scorecards online and write your own words, symbols or pictures on the boxes.
Step 2. Explain to everyone how the combination of numbers and letters in the game of Bingo works
In standard Bingo, there are 75 different combinations of numbers and letters. Each letter and number combination corresponds to a square on the scorecard.
- For example, all the numbers in column "B" on a scorecard correspond to a combination of numbers and the letter "B". If the caller says "B-9", you need to look for the box "9" under column "B".
- If you're looking for a simpler version of Bingo to play with your kids, use pictures or words instead of a combination of letters and numbers.
Step 3. Select a player to be the caller
In Bingo, the caller is the person who reads out and announces the combination of letters and numbers that will be covered by Bingo chips on the players' scorecards. Callers can still play with other players.
If you play in the Bingo arena, the caller is already prepared. However, the caller in the Bingo arena does not come into play
Step 4. Pass the scorecard to all players
Each player needs to have at least one card. Players can play more than 1 score card, as long as they can keep track of the letters and numbers on all the cards.
- Playing with multiple scorecards can increase your chances of winning, but is more difficult because there are more squares to keep track of.
- If you play using a scorecard, there is a chance that you can win more than once in one game.
Step 5. Give each player a stack of Bingo chips
Bingo chips are objects that a player uses to cover the squares on his scorecard. Any small object can be used as a Bingo chip as long as it covers the squares on the scorecard.
You can use poker chips, coins, or even small pieces of paper as Bingo chips
Step 6. Place the chips in the very center square on the scorecard
In Bingo, the box in the center of each player's scorecard is considered a free box. All players start with 1 chip in the box.
Step 7. Give the caller numbers and letters to answer during the game
These numbers and letters can be written down on small paper and folded, or you can use Bingo balls that have numbers and letters on them. These letters and numbers must match the combinations in the boxes on the scorecard.
- Place the Bingo paper or ball in the Bingo bucket, bowl, or spinner so the caller can pick it up and name it at random.
- If you're playing Bingo with kids and the scorecard contains a combination of pictures and letters, give the caller a picture and related letter to choose from.
Part 2 of 2: Playing Bingo
Step 1. Ask the caller to read out a combination of letters and numbers
The caller must pick a combination of numbers and letters at random, without looking, and read them out loud. The caller should say the combination of numbers and letters he drew several times so that all players can hear it.
- For example, if the caller pulls out a piece of paper or a ball that says "N-7", he must say "N-7" out loud.
- If you play Bingo with pictures or words instead of a combination of letters and numbers, ask the caller to read the letters or explain the pictures to other players.
Step 2. Place the chips in the squares on the scorecard according to the combination of numbers and letters mentioned
After the caller mentions the combination of letters and numbers, check the scorecard whether the combination is in one of the boxes in the scorecard. If there is, put the chip on top of the box.
- For example, if the caller says "G-46", look for the number "46" in the "G" column of the scorecard. If so, cover the box with chips.
- If the related combination isn't on the scorecard, you don't need to do anything.
Step 3. Continue playing until someone gets 5 chips that line up on the scorecard
Ask the caller to continue to say a combination of numbers and letters. Whenever the combination of numbers and letters mentioned by the caller matches one of the squares on the scorecard, the player places chips on top of that square.
- The player wins Bingo if there are 5 squares lined up either horizontally, vertically or diagonally.
- There is no limit to the number of combinations of numbers and letters that the caller reads. He would keep mentioning new combinations until one came out victorious.
Step 4. Say "Bingo" if you get 5 squares in a row
When the player has got 5 squares in a row on his Bingo card, he must say "Bingo" out loud so that everyone knows it. When a player says "Bingo", the caller stops reading the combination of numbers and letters.
If there is more than 1 player who answers "Bingo" after the combination of numbers and letters is mentioned, all of those players win
Step 5. Have everyone take all the chips on their scorecard when a player has already won
When a player answers "Bingo" and is certain to win the round, all players take chips on their scorecard. A new game must start with an empty scorecard (except for one free square in the center of the card).
Step 6. Toss all combinations of letters and numbers for the next game
To start a new game of Bingo, the caller must stir all the combinations previously mentioned in the last game into the bucket, bowl, or spinning device used. The new game must start with all the combinations of numbers and letters mixed evenly so that it returns to random.
