75-Ball vs 90-Ball Bingo: What's the Difference?
75-Ball vs 90-Ball Bingo: What's the Difference?
We get it, the differences between 75-ball and 90-ball bingo may seem obvious. It's 15 balls, right? Well yes, but there are more difference to how you play (and how you win!) the two popular online bingo games.
Did you know that 75-ball bingo is the most popular form played in the USA, while 90-ball bingo is more popular in the UK, for example? Read on to find out more about both games.
What is 75-Ball Bingo?
75-ball bingo is played on a single card with a grid containing five numbers across and five numbers down. The word 'BINGO' is usually displayed at the top of the card, with one letter per column. The centre square will remain blank, but can sometimes be marked with a star at the beginning of each game. Each column will have corresponding numbers:
- B - five numbers that range from one 1 to 15
- I - five numbers that range from 16 to 30
- N - four numbers that range from 31 to 45
- G - five numbers that range from 46 to 60
- O - five numbers that range from 61 to 75
In 75-ball bingo, a pre-determined winning pattern will be announced at the start of each game. As numbers are called out at random, players must manually daub their cards or, if playing online, the numbers will be daubed off automatically if the auto-play feature is on. The first player to complete the pre-determined winning pattern will win the game.
In the early stages of the game's history, players only needed complete a single line down, diagonally or across in order to win. However, as the game has evolved over the years and more patterns and game types have been introduced to 75-ball bingo, there are now more than 300 different patterns being played worldwide!
What is 90-Ball Bingo?
90-ball bingo is the most common version of bingo played both online and offline in the UK. The game is played on a card with 27 squares, with three horizontal and nine vertical lines. Typically, players buy a strip of six cards/tickets per round.
- The first column contains numbers one to nine
- The second column contains numbers 10 to 19
- The third column contains numbers 20 to 29 and so on
In 90-ball bingo, it is possible to win through three outcomes: one line, two lines and a full house. A one line win sees you complete one horizontal line of numbers, a two line win means two lines have been completed and a full house is achieved when all of the numbers on your card have been marked off. Prize values increase as the game progresses.
Similarities Between 75-ball and 90-ball Bingo
While there are clear differences, both 75-ball and 90-ball bingo share plenty of similarities:
- Both games involve randomly drawn numbers being called out.
- Players mark or daub numbers off on their cards, aiming to match certain patterns or complete lines.
- Both can be played in traditional bingo halls as well as online, offering social interactions and chat rooms for extra fun.
Differences Between 75-ball and 90-ball Bingo
The key differences are:
- Card layout: 75-ball bingo uses a 5x5 grid with a free space, while 90-ball bingo uses a 3x9 grid without any free spaces.
- Winning methods: 75-ball bingo typically involves completing patterns like shapes or letters, while 90-ball bingo has fixed outcomes: one line, two lines, or a full house.
- Popularity and Region: 75-ball is more popular in the USA, whereas 90-ball is preferred in the UK and Europe.
Whichever style you prefer, both versions promise plenty of excitement and chances to win - happy dabbing!
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