Winning Bingo Card Pattern
Before any Bingo game starts the caller anounces the winning Bingo Card pattern that will be also displayed on the BINGO BOARD as an example. There may be not only the cover-all or blackout Bingo Card pattern (with all the numbers covered) that is also known as a Jackpot pattern, but also many numerous variations.
Although there is a set of generally accepted patterns that is the same in any gaming room, there are numerous different card patterns and any Bingo game organiser can create his own pattern, the figure of which depends on his fantasy. The following pictures show the examples of most common patterns that can be divided into three categories:
Static patterns: the picture can not change its shape or place and is the same on any ticket.
Crazy patterns: the picture can not only rotate 90° -270° but even change its place on the ticket.
Wild patterns: the picture does not rotate, but can be located anywhere on the card.
Moreover, there can be an extra condition for the winning patterns, known as the HARDWAY BINGO: no free space can be used in the pattern.
The coverall Bingo Card pattern
Coverall pattern
The BLACKOUT (COVERALL) Bingo Card pattern is used for the progressive Bingos. The object of any player is to cover all the numbers within a definite number of calls (e.g. in a 35-number blackout, the player is bound to cover all the 24 spaces within 35 calls). In case no one claims for a jackpot after the last ball was called, the game ends and the jackpot rolls over to the next game (that is why it is considered as a progressive jackpot).
The odd-even blackout
Odd-even blackout
The odd–even blackout is a coverall where all the players are required to cover all even/odd numbers and only odd or even numbers are called until there is a winner. To determine whether he should call the odd or even numbers, the caller may use either the day of the month, the first ball drawn ot any other method.
The Speed ball
The SPEED BALL (BINGO) is an alternative version of a coverall, where the caller names all the numbers (sometimes even without the letters) at a fast speed until someone covers all the spaces.
The Straight Line Patterns
Straight Line Patterns
In a regular one-line Bingo, the winning pattern is a line of covered five numbers either vertically, horizontally or disgonally. If it is a two-lined (three-lined) bingo, two (three) lines covered do not need to be in the same direction. There can be one line vertically, the other horizontally and the last diagonally.
The Line Combo Patterns
Line Combo Patterns
The patterns called the line combo are special kinds of double and triple line bingo. Two horizontal or vertical lines form the “railroad tracks”, an Asterix is a combination of 2 diagonals and one vertical that runs down the center, an Asterix+one horizontal line through the middle makes a “Starburst”. A boe tie is shaped by two diagonals and a vertical line down each edge.
The Letter Patterns
Letter Patterns
The Bingo Card pattern shaped like the letters of the alphabet. If the letter is called crazy, it can be upside down or turned towards any side.
The Number Patterns
Number Patterns
The patterns shaped like the numbers from 1-10 usually.
The Picture Patterns
Picture Patterns
These patterns are of multile variations and multiple shapes. As for all the Bingo card patterns, they can be turned any way when caled crazy.
- A diamond Bingo Card pattern.
- An arrow pattern.
- A kite (magic wand) pattern.
- Two postage stamps.
- Corner Block ( Clover leaf, 4 postage stamps).
- Four corners.
- Love (heart) Bingo Card pattern.
- Inside picture frame.
- Outside picture frame.
- Flag.
- Ball.
- Open house (any square).
- Spots pattern.
Sometimes many players find it difficult to track the winning pattern when playing many cards at the same time. However, when you know how any pattern may look like, you will find it a lot easier and will not miss a Bingo what happens pretty often.