Like any other gambling game, bingo has its own terminology. To play bingo, each and every player should learn at least the most useful bingo terms and slang words used both at online bingo sites and land-based halls.
Bingo is one of the most popular gambling games in the world. Predictably, it has its own terms and slang words familiar mostly to experienced players. If you are a beginner, we highly recommend you to learn at least basic terminology that will help you to understand bingo games and the gaming process better. In this guide, you will find some of the most useful bingo terms and special words.
Useful bingo terms, slang and special words
Bingo terminology is pretty much the same both at online bingo sites and in bingo halls. Before we start, we will give a definition of bingo itself. What is this game about?
Bingo is a game of chance in which players use special cards and match numbers printed on them with the numbers being called at random. The first player to match all numbers on his card or a special pattern on the card is the winner. Bingo can be played both offline, online, and on your mobile phones. As playing at websites is the most popular way to play bingo for real money, read more about online bingo and how it works.
Bingo terminology: a comprehensive table
Now, let’s get started with the most common bingo terms, slang, special words, and abbreviations. All terms are presented in alphabetical order.
| Term | Definition |
| 1TG | This abbreviation means “one-to-go” – one box on a card to fill to win. There is also an abbreviation 2TG (“two-to-go”) meaning that the player has to fill two boxes to win |
| 30 ball bingo | A type of bingo with 30 numbered balls in total. Its cards have a 3×3 grid with 9 numbers to be marked off to win |
| 75 ball bingo | Also known as American bingo, this is a type of bingo with 75 numbered balls and cards with a 5×5 grid. To win, players need to mark off one line on the card |
| 80 ball bingo | A type of bingo with 80 balls in total. To win, players need to mark off 16 numbers on a 4×4 grid |
| 90 ball bingo | Also known as British bingo, this is a type of bingo with 90 balls in total. Cards have 9×3 grids where 15 numbers need to be marked off |
| Autoplay | A special feature at bingo sites that allows players to mark off numbers automatically, not manually |
| Bingo ball | A numbered ball that is used to select winning bingo numbers |
| Bingo board | A display board that lights up to show the winning number being called |
| Bingo bonus | Special promotions allowing players to use different perks to play bingo games online. Here you can find the best online bingo bonuses in 2022 |
| Bingo card | A piece of paper or a digital card with numbers randomly printed on it. During the game, players mark off all matching numbers on their cards |
| Bingo odds | The probability of winning the game with a certain number of calls |
| Buy-In | The minimum number of bingo cards players need to buy to join the game |
| Caller | In bingo halls, this is a person who calls out winning numbers. He/she is replaced by machines at online bingo sites |
| Coverall | The whole card has to be marked off in order to win |
| Dauber | A special ink-filled tool that helps to mark off the winning numbers |
| Deal | A game or series of games with the same serial number |
| Free space | A free box on the card that is empty and doesn’t need to be marked off but still counts as a part of the winning pattern |
| Instants | These are games that pay the prize money immediately |
| Jackpot | A prize given to the player(s) who marked off their numbers first |
| Moneyball | A special numbered ball that is drawn before the game. It doubles the winning money if the same number is drawn during the game |
| Pattern | This is a space on your card you need to cover to win (the whole card a.k.a. coverall, line, square, etc) |
| Payout | The amount of money players can withdraw in the case of winning |
| Progressive jackpot | A bingo game with a constantly increasing jackpot |
| Raffle | A game of chance in which players need to buy a card to get a random chance to win |
| RNG | An abbreviation for “Random Number Generator” |
| Slingo | This is a type of bingo that is a mix between bingo and slots |
| Special game | Special bingo games are played with a different set of cards than common draws |
| Speed bingo | A fast-paced game in a 30 ball bingo |
| Validation | Payments players need to pay in order to qualify for special draws |
| Wild number | One number that can be marked off by all players |
