If you’ve just learned how to play online Bingo, but are still confused by a few jargons even after dabbing a few times, then no sweat! Our ultimate dictionary for bingo terms is here to guide you through understanding those lines and patterns. By the end of this dictionary, you’ll be speaking bingo like a pro in no time!
A to F: Bingo Terms
Admission Packet. The minimum number of cards you must purchase to participate in the bingo game.
Auto-Daub. A feature in online bingo that automatically marks numbers as they are called.
After Games. Bingo games played after the regular session ends.
Bing. A type of lottery game where players cover numbers on a card based on randomly drawn numbers to complete a pattern.
Bingo Ball. A numbered ball used in the bingo selection process.
Bingo Board. In bingo terms, it’s a display board that shows each number as it’s called.
Blackout. A bingo pattern requiring the entire card to be covered to win. Also known as a coverall.
Blower. A machine that uses forced air to mix and dispense bingo balls.
Bonanza Bingo. A progressive coverall jackpot game played later in a session.
Caller. The person who announces the numbers during a bingo game.
Card. A bingo card with 24 numbered spaces and a free space in the middle.
Card Minding Device. An electronic device that assists in tracking and marking bingo cards.
Coverall. A pattern where all numbers on the bingo card must be covered to win.
Dauber. An ink-filled marker used to mark numbers on bingo cards.
Deal. A specific series of pull tabs with the same serial number.
Diamond. In bingo terms, it is a pattern in the shape of a diamond on the card.
Early Bird Game. Bingo games that occur before the regular session begins.
Electronic Bingo. Bingo played using electronic devices for tracking and marking cards.
Event Game. A type of pull-tab game where the draw of a bingo ball determines certain prizes.
Face. It is bingo jargon for an individual bingo card with numbers arranged in five columns and rows.
Flare Card. A card included with pull tabs that lists the game rules, winning symbols, and prizes.
Flashboard. A display showing the called bingo numbers.
Four Corners. In bingo terms, it’s a pattern where players must cover the four corner squares to win.
Free Space. The center square of a bingo card that players can use in every game as a wild space.
G to L: Bingo Jargon
Game Board. An electronic display that shows numbers and patterns during a game.
G.T.I. In bingo terms, it is an electronic dauber system used in bingo halls.
Game Pattern. A required combination of squares needed to win a bingo game. When you’re learning how to win online bingo, it’s important to study all the game patterns available.
Hard Card. Bingo terminology for a reusable bingo card made of cardboard.
Hard-Way Bingo. A pattern that requires winning without using the free space.
Instants. A pull-tab ticket that offers immediate winnings based on symbols.
Inlaid Card. A permanent bingo card embedded into the bingo table.
Instant Bingo. A game where players can win immediately after purchasing a ticket.
Jackpot. In bingo terms, it’s a large prize awarded for completing a difficult pattern within a specific number of calls.
Jumper. A progressive bingo game where the jackpot increases with each game until won.
Kite. A bingo pattern that resembles a kite.
King’s Corners. A pattern requiring all four corners and the center square to be covered.
Late Night Bingo. Bingo games played later in the evening.
Lights Out. It’s bingo jargon for the last game of a bingo session, often a blackout game.
Lucky Jar. Also known as “Cookie Jar”, in bingo terms, it is a jar containing cash, awarded when a player lands on a lucky number.
M to R: Bingo Terminology
Minimum Buy-In. The smallest amount required to participate in a bingo session.
Money Ball. A pre-drawn number that doubles winnings if it’s part of the winning pattern.
Moonlight Bingo. Bingo games played late at night, typically around 10 p.m.
Multiple Winners. When two or more players win simultaneously, sharing the prize.
Nine-Pack. A bingo pattern forming a 3×3 block on the card.
Nicknames. In bingo terms, nicknames are humorous names or phrases used by the caller to announce numbers, e.g., “Two little ducks” for 22.
Ons. The number of bingo faces on a sheet, such as a 6 ON with six faces per sheet.
Overlay. A prize that exceeds the cost of the game.
Pattern. A key bingo terminology; pattern is the required shape or configuration of numbers needed to win a bingo game.
Postage Stamp. A bingo pattern that forms a 2×2 grid in any corner of the card.
Pull Tab. A perforated card that players open to reveal numbers or symbols to determine winnings.
Quickie. In bingo terms, it is a fast-paced bingo game, often using a coverall pattern.
Quickie Game. Bingo jargon for speed game, where numbers are called very quickly.
Raffle. A game of chance where participants buy tickets for a chance to win a prize through a random draw.
Regular Session. The main set of bingo games played during a bingo session.
Runner. A floor worker in a bingo hall who assists players by selling cards and verifying bingos.
S to Z: Bingo Terms
Seal Card. A pull-tab game where winnings are revealed after removing a seal.
Series. In bingo terms, it’s the total number of unique bingo faces within a set.
Session. The complete set of bingo games played during a specific time.
Shutter Board. A bingo card with sliding shutters used to cover numbers as they are called.
Six-Pack. It’s bingo jargon for a block of six numbers that form a pattern on the card.
Speed Bingo. A fast-paced version of bingo with rapidly called numbers.
Tab Wizard. A point-of-sale system for managing pull-tab ticket sales.
Tear-Open. A pull-tab game where the card is opened to reveal numbers or symbols.
Texas Blackout. In bingo terms, it is a blackout game where odd or even numbers are wild based on the first number called.
Throwaways. Single-use bingo cards printed on thin paper.
Ups. It’s a bingo terminology for a number of sheets used to create a bingo book, such as a 6 UP bingo book with six sheets.
Validation. An additional fee required to qualify for a larger jackpot.
Wildcard Number. A number that can be marked off the card without being called.
Winner Take All. A game where the winner claims all the proceeds from card sales.
X Marks the Spot. A bingo pattern requiring players to cover both diagonal lines to form an X.
Y Pattern. One of the popular bingo patterns where numbers form a Y-shape on the card.
Z Pattern. A bingo pattern where the numbers form a Z-shape on the card.