Bingo is one of the easiest—and most exciting—games you can play in a casino or community hall. But if you’re new, all the numbers, daubers, and jackpots might look confusing and feel overwhelming.
Don’t worry, it’s so simple even little kids can play it (at home of course it they are under 21 years old in most states).
1. Buy Your Cards
Every bingo game starts with buying cards. Enter your hall and walk up to the counter. Most places have a guide to show the costs, see the example below from Southpoint Casino in Henderson, NV.
- Paper cards: Traditional sheets with a 5×5 grid of numbers under the letters B-I-N-G-O.
- Electronic bingo machines: Tablets that track multiple cards for you. If you want a machine always tell the cashier and specify if you want a small or large machine (additional costs may vary).
Each card has a unique mix of numbers, so no two cards are the same.
2. Learn the Bingo Board
At the front of the hall (or on big screens in casinos), you’ll see the bingo board.
- This shows which numbers have been called.
- It updates every time a new ball is drawn.
- The goal: match those numbers on your card in a winning pattern.
- You will learn each letter in B-I-N-G-O is associated with a specific color ball; B (blue), I (red), N (gray), G (green) and O (yellow). This gives you a heads up the number you might be waiting for may be called momentarily.
3. Numbers Are Called
A caller draws random numbers from a machine or digital system.
- Numbers go from 1 to 75 in most U.S. games.
- They’re paired with a letter:
- B → Numbers 1–15
- I → Numbers 16–30
- N → Numbers 31–45
- G → Numbers 46–60
- O → Numbers 61–75
- The caller announces each one, and players mark their cards.
4. Mark Your Card
This is where the fun begins!
- On paper, you use a colorful dauber (ink marker) to stamp the number.
- On a machine, numbers are marked automatically.
- The goal is to complete the required pattern before anyone else.
5. Winning Patterns
Different games have different patterns. On the bingo board they typically show you which patterns are valid throughout the game and verbally tell you what shape you need at the beginning of the game.
Here are some examples: (keep in mind each location may offer a different variety)
- Straight line (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal)
- Four corners
- Coverall (mark every number on your card)
- Special designs like letters or shapes
6. Shout “Bingo!”
When you finish the pattern, you must call out “BINGO!” loud enough for everyone to hear. The bingo staff will check your card or machine to confirm the win. If you’re right—you take the prize! If not, the game continues and you might feel a little embarrassed.
7. Collect Your Prize
Prizes can be:
- Cash (most common in casinos)
- Free play for future games
- Gift cards or special jackpots
The prize size depends on how many cards were sold and what type of game you’re in.
Bingo is more than just numbers—it’s a social, fast-paced, and exciting game. Whether you’re daubing paper cards or tapping on a machine, the thrill is the same: waiting for that last number to hit and shouting “Bingo!” before anyone else.
From Las Vegas with luck
—The Bingo Ballers
About the Authors: The Bingo Ballers are a mother daughter team that bring over 50 years of experience for bingo tips, casino fun, and behind-the-scenes bingo jackpots wins straight from Las Vegas.
If you want to learn how to use an electronic machine, check out our You Tube video about it here.
