Bingo Terms
Bingo Terms
Bingo Terms
Now every bingo hall and online site has terms that are used to describe certain situations and items in Bingo. A lot of these bingo terms are general terms used across different bingo halls and sites. You will notice them , or something very similar , in most bingo halls as well as on bingo websites.
| A-C | D-F | G-I | J-L | M-O | P-R | ST |
Admission Packet: The minimum number of cards that must be purchased to participate in the games for the night.
Bingo Board: Usually electronic, this display board lights up to show each number that has been called in a game.
Blackout: Blackout is a pattern that requires the player to cover all the numbers on their card.
Blower: A device that uses forced air to mix bingo balls. This device also dispenses balls to the caller.
Bonanza Bingo: This is a progressive bingo that uses the blackout pattern. A set number of numbers is called for a particular game (e.g. 50 numbers); if there is no winner in 50 numbers then the jackpot rolls over to the next game. In the next game one more number is added to the set of numbers called for the game (e.g. 51). This continues until there is a winner.
Caller: This is the person responsible for calling out the bingo numbers.
Card: The bingo card used by players.
Chat room: The chat room is found on online bingo sites, it allows you to chat with other players
Dauber: This is the marker used on disposable bingo cards to mark called numbers.
Early bird game: This is a game that is played before the regularly scheduled games.
Free space: This is the middle space on the Bingo card. Every card has this free space.
Game Board: The display board that shows the pattern being played for in the current game.
Game Room: Found in Online Bingo. Players are divided into smaller groups to make chatting more manageable.
G.T.I.: An electronic system used to play multiple packs at the same time. Usually the G.T.I. requires a rental fee and only one per player is allowed. Also called a T.E.D.
Hard Card: A non-disposable card printed on cardboard. This card uses shutters to cover the numbers as they are called.
Hardway Bingo: A pattern that requires the player to form a straight line without using the free space.
Keno: Keno is a casino game that looks very similar and shares some of the same equipment as bingo
Jackpot: This is what everyone wants to win. This is the prize money for the particular game.
Late night bingo: A game that starts late at night. Sometimes called moonlight or midnight bingo.
Lucky Jar: This is some type of container that the winners get besides the jackpot if they bingo on the “lucky” number. The lucky number for the night is determined at the start of the night. Money is added each time the lucky number is called, and sometimes when the caller makes a mistake.
Midnight Bingo: A game that starts late at night. Sometimes called late night or moonlight bingo.
Minimum Buy-In: The minimum number of cards that must be purchased to participate in the games for the night.
Moonlight Bingo: A game that starts late at night. Sometimes called late night or midnight bingo.
Multiple Winners: A game has multiple winners when there is more than one player bingos on a called number. The prize money is divided evenly between the winners.
Nicknames: Used by some callers to call numbers in a fun way. For example 11 might be called “Legs Eleven”.
On The Way: This is a game that is played before a blackout. Once the on the way game is won more numbers are called and continue until someone gets a full card (blackout).
On: This is a term used when a player has one or more cards that requires only one number to win.
Pattern: The design(s) used to determine winners in a bingo game. Patterns can be lines, shapes letters or combinations.
Payout: The amount of money paid out by the house in jackpots.
Progressive Jackpot: This is a jackpot that gets bigger until someone wins. Only a certain number of numbers are called in a game. If no winner is declared, then the jackpot rolls over to the next night or week.
Rainbow Pack: A card pack that permits a player to play for three or four different prize denominations at the same time.
RNG: Random Number Generator. Now used in some bingo halls and online, in place of the bingo blower and balls.
Session: The group of bingo games played in the daytime or evening. A program of bingo games.
Special: A game that requires a different card not usually sold with the admission pack.
Split Pot: A game in which the sales for that game are split with the house.
Slots: Slot machines are a staple in both Bingo parlors and in Online Bingo. Slots and online slots offer a nice distraction and change of pass from bingo.
T.E.D.: An electronic system used to play multiple packs at the same time. Usually the T.E.D. requires a rental fee and only one per player is allowed. Also called a G.T.I.