Playing Bingo

First buy your bingo books from the book sales desk in the main hall - you will be asked how many books you require. One book will contain multiple pages, each page is a different game.

A bingo ticket looks like this: It has 15 numbers, arranged in columns 1-9, 10-19, 20-29, 30-39, etc. up to 90

	14	29	31		53	70
4		38	40		78	85
	18		39	42	67	87

Personally, I find 6 books easier as you know you have to mark every number called. As a beginner though, I would recommend trying 2 or 3 - remember though, the less books you have, the longer you have to wait for numbers to be called. Bingo calling in the bingo clubs is a speedy affair. There are no clickety-clicks or 2 fat ladies in the modern game. You have to concentrate and move fast otherwise you lose out!
Once a game is ready to begin, the caller will announce whether you are playing for a LINE ACROSS, TWO LINES ACROSS or a FULL HOUSE - he will also announce which colour page in which book you are playing.
If you play the wrong ticket and win you will not get the money so always check around you to see everyone is on the same ticket. If the caller starts before you are ready, quickly shout 'hang-on' to give you time to catch up.

As the caller announces the numbers, mark them off clearly in your bingo book. Most games will be played for the line then the full house. A line is 5 numbers in a straight row, across the ticket like this:

	14	29	31		53	70
4		38	40		78	85
	18		39	42	67	87

One line across: Once that has been won the game moves on to the full house (15 numbers on one ticket, 3 rows)

	14	29	31		53	70
4		38	40		78	85
	18		39	42	67	87

Full House : Occasionally there will be a game for two lines between the line and the full house - listen for the caller to announce it.

	14	29	31		53	70
4		38	40		78	85
	18		39	42	67	87

2 Lines Across (must be on one ticket!) Once you are the first to have a line across, two lines across or a full house, shout out loudly. You can shout House! Bingo! Knickers! Here! Or whatever you want to stop the caller - just make it LOUD!

14	29	31			53		70
4			38	40			78	85
	18		39	42		67		87