The different bingo games explained - 90 ball vs 80 ball vs 75 ball

Log into any online bingo site and you’ll straight away spot rooms for 90-ball, 80-ball, 75-ball, and plenty more - some flashing jackpot counters right on the thumbnails. They’ve all got balls flying from the hopper, but the tickets, pace, and win patterns change massively from one to another. 

On this page, I’ll walk you through the most popular UK bingo formats, the odds angle, what to expect getting started, and which version fits best based on what you’re looking for.

Bingo basics in one minute 

Online bingo follows the same setup you’d find down at the local club. Balls get drawn at random, and the numbers need to match what’s shown on your ticket. To win, you’ve got to complete a set pattern. That might be one line, two lines, or a full house. Some games also throw in special shapes or prize targets depending on the version you’re playing.

The biggest difference with online bingo sites is the auto-daub feature, which marks off your ticket automatically as the numbers come in. This makes it easy to run multiple tickets at once or jump into mini-games alongside the main session without missing a thing. Naturally, you can still follow everything that’s happening live, and most rooms have a chat feature so players can have a natter during the round. 

Ticket prices can vary massively, mostly depending on the game type and how big the prize pool is. More often than not, you’ll spot low entry points between 1p and 5p, but others go higher, especially in premium rooms or when there’s a progressive jackpot involved. Sites like Monster Casino also run freeroll sessions, meaning you can join for free with the chance to win real money.

90-ball bingo 

If you hear people talking about bingo in the UK, nine times out of ten, they mean this version. It’s played with 90 balls, numbered one to 90. Tickets will have three rows, nine columns, and five numbers on each line. If you buy a strip of six, you’ve got every number covered across your cards, so whenever the system calls one, it’s landing somewhere in front of you. To win, you’re aiming for one of the following:

• One Line – Match any complete horizontal row
• Two Lines – Any two full horizontal rows on the same ticket
• Full House – Mark every number on the ticket

80-ball bingo 

Eighty ball bingo’s more of a modern spin on the game, mainly designed with online play in mind. As the name suggests, it uses 80 balls, running from one to 80. Tickets show up as a neat four-by-four grid with 16 spaces. Unlike some formats where you’ll spot gaps or blank squares, every slot in 80 Ball holds a number. 

You’ll also find that the winning patterns tend to be more flexible. Depending on the room, prizes can be tied to different targets. For example: 

• You might need to complete a single full line, either across, down, or diagonally.
• Rooms like Pragmatic Play’s at Kong Casino pay out for landing two or three lines, as well as filling two or three columns anywhere on the ticket.
• Some pay for matching all four corners of your grid.
• Full house wins happen when every number on your ticket gets marked.
• A few versions include centre square patterns or special shapes, letters, or coloured zones that need to be filled to trigger prizes.

75-ball bingo 

Seventy-five Ball Bingo is the American take on the game. Edwin Lowe first came across it at a fair in Georgia back in the late 1920s. At the time, people called it “Beano” because players used beans to mark their cards. After seeing how popular it was, Lowe took the idea, developed it further, introduced printed cards with proper number layouts, and changed the name to Bingo after someone blurted that out by accident instead of shouting “Beano.”

This version runs with 75 balls in the hopper, with tickets laid out in a five-by-five grid. One key difference is the centre square, which acts as a free space. That spot’s considered marked from the moment the round kicks off and gives every player a slight edge to come up with different patterns. 

The latter has a big say in how a 75-ball bingo session goes. You’ll find the win conditions can change from one game to another. I’ve been part of sessions where the goal was to get:

• Straight lines – these can run horizontally, vertically, or diagonally
• Full house – every number on your ticket marked
• Four corners – landing only the outer squares
• Custom patterns – some games set specific designs shaped like letters, numbers, symbols, or themed icons. I even saw one at Great Britain Casino during the festive period laid out like a Christmas tree.

30-ball bingo 

If you’re after something quick and done in no time, 30-ball bingo’s built exactly for that. You’ll often see it listed as “Quick Bingo” or “Blitz Bingo” at UK casinos. 

I’m quite a regular at Online Casino London, and most 30-ball sessions there are over within a minute or two. Tickets follow a simple three-by-three grid with nine numbers. Like 80-ball, there are no blank spaces. The only win condition here, though, is the full house — first one to fill every square takes it.

Five-line bingo  

Five-line bingo follows the same core setup as 75-ball, with 75 balls in play and tickets laid out across a five-by-five grid. What sets it apart is:

• No free centre square - Unlike regular 75-ball, where the centre spot is automatically marked, in five-line bingo, all 25 squares carry active numbers.
• Multiple prize stages - You’ve got up to five separate chances to win, one for each complete horizontal row.

Progressive bingo 

Progressive Bingo works a little differently because of how the jackpot builds behind the scenes. The game structure stays the same — whether it’s 90-ball, 75-ball, or whatever version’s in play — so you’ve still got your usual lines, patterns, and full house wins. But on top of all that, there’s an extra jackpot ticking over, ready to drop at any time.

The way it works is every ticket bought chips a small bit of the price into the growing prize pot. If nobody hits the jackpot that round, the money rolls over and builds for the next game. That keeps stacking up until someone lands the win.

To trigger the jackpot, each game sets its own conditions. Take Deal or No Deal Bingo over at Coral Casino. There’s a four-figure prize sitting there right now that pays out if someone calls house within 34 numbers or less.

Understanding bingo odds

When you stack 90-ball, 80-ball, 75-ball, or any other bingo variant side by side, the game type itself doesn’t shift your odds in isolation. To make sense of it, say you’ve got one ticket going head-to-head with someone else. Your chance of winning sits at 50/50, regardless of the version. If there are four of you in total, it drops to 25%. What really makes a difference is ticket share. More tickets, better odds. Fewer players in the room, the stronger your chances overall.

You might also spot talk about RTP rates on bingo games. The figures here usually come in lower, but keep in mind that this works differently from online slots or table games. In bingo, the payout percentage is worked out based on total ticket sales minus the pot. So if £100 worth of tickets are sold and the lines and house together add up to £70, the RTP comes out at 70%.

How to play bingo for the first time (step-by-step) 

Now that you’ve got the hang of all the different bingo games, the next step is getting yourself into a round. Here’s how to go about it in five easy steps:

Step 1: Choose a Licensed Bingo Site and Create an Account

Start by picking a trusted bingo platform like Coral and follow the prompts to create an account. You’ll be asked to provide personal details like your name, surname, date of birth, phone number, home address, as well as verify your identity as part of the KYC process. 

Step 2 — Claim Your Welcome Bonus (If Available)

I mentioned Coral in particular because they’ve got a welcome offer made for bingo. You only need to deposit and play through a tenner, and they’ll give you another £40 to spend on tickets.

Every site runs its own offers, so it’s worth taking a minute to check the T&Cs. See if you need a promo code, perhaps some payment methods are excluded, or there could be other steps to follow before you can claim.

Once you’ve got everything sorted, head to the cashier and pick your preferred way to deposit. Bingo tickets can start from as little as $0.01, so even a small top-up is enough to get a session going.

Step 3 — Pick a Bingo Room and Buy Your Tickets

Now, the fun begins. Make your way into the bingo lobby, where you’ll see different rooms with details like game type (90 ball, 80 ball, 75 ball, and so on), ticket price, prize pot, and when the next round starts. Pick one that suits your budget and the type of game you’re after. You can buy as many or as few tickets as allowed.

Step 4 — Watch the Game and Let Auto-Daub Do the Work

Once the round begins, numbers get drawn automatically by the system. The auto-daub feature marks your tickets as matches come in, and you’ll see it all update live on your screen. Most platforms bump the cards closest to winning right to the top, so it’s easy to keep track of the numbers you still need.

Step 5 — Collect Your Winnings or Try Another Round 

If your ticket hits the winning pattern — like a full house, one line, or a set shape — that’s your Bingo moment. The system normally picks it up before you even realise, and pays the winnings straight into your balance automatically. 

From there, you can cash out, jump into another room, or carry on playing. If you’ve used bonus funds, double-check the wagering terms before cashing out anything.

How to choose between the different bingo games

I’ve given every bingo type a fair go over the years, and truth is, they all bring their own fun. Here are nine different situations and the ideal version for each:

1. You’ve got your tea brewing and only a couple of minutes spare before heading out. Play 30-ball bingo
2. You want a longer session where you can sit back, relax, and chase a full house without rushing. Play 90-ball bingo
3. You fancy quick wins without having to figure out weird patterns every round. Play five line bingo
4. You want a shot at a growing jackpot. Play progressive bingo
5. You like a fast game, but still want more ways to win than full house. Play 80-ball bingo
6. You’re into bingo where each game and room feels different. Play 75-ball bingo
7. If you want every number from the hopper covered across your tickets. Play 90-ball bingo
8. You like games where the grid is small and easy to track. Play 30-ball bingo
9. You’re after the one that pulls the biggest crowds and keeps the chat busy. Play 90-ball bingo

Responsible gambling with FIRST

You must be 18+ to gamble. Gambling is a form of entertainment, not a way to make money. Our tips and advice help you enjoy gambling, but there is always a chance a bet or casino game can lose.

Never bet more than you can afford to lose. Stop betting if you are angry, emotional or under the influence of alcohol.

Warning signs of problem gambling: chasing losses, betting money needed for bills, or feeling unable to stop.

Need help? Visit our responsible sports betting page or our responsible casino gambling page, or contact the support organisations listed below if you're struggling to control your gambling:

Gamblers Anonymous UK

BeGambleAware

GAMSTOP

National Gambling Support Network

Gamcare

NHS National Gambling Clinic

FAQs

What is the difference between bingo 90 and 75 bingo?

The difference is 90 ball bingo uses tickets with three rows and nine columns, and prizes usually go for one line, two lines, or a full house. 75 ball bingo runs on a square grid with 25 spaces, including a free centre square, and you win by completing set patterns.

What is the 90 in bingo called?

The number 90 in bingo is known as Top of the Shop. You’ll hear it announced that way in clubs and online when ball number 90 gets drawn.

What is the most difficult bingo pattern?

The most difficult bingo pattern is the one that needs the most numbers marked, which is usually the full house, as you have to cover every space on your ticket to win. It gets trickier when there’s a call limit, like you see with most progressive jackpots.

What are side games in bingo?

Side games in bingo are extra slots, scratchcards, or quick casino-style rounds you can play alongside the main bingo session. They’re separate but often pop up in the same window, so you’ve got something to do between bingo calls. Some rooms also have hosts organising little prize rounds through the chat where you can win things like free tickets or loyalty points.