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Bingo is a game of chance for two or more players. Each player is given a card marked with a grid containing a unique combination of numbers and, in some countries, blank spaces. The winning pattern to be formed on the card is announced. On each turn, a non-player known as the caller randomly selects a numbered ball from a container and announces the number to all the players. The ball is then set aside so that it cannot be chosen again. Each player searches his card for the called number, and if he finds it, marks it. The element of skill in the game is the ability to search one's card for the called number in the short time before the next number is called.
Canadian and American bingo cards are 5 × 5 grids of numbers only; dual dab cards have two numbers in each square. Each space in the grid contains a number, except for the centre square, which is considered filled. The highest number used is 75. The columns are headed with the letters of the word BINGO, and the letter is called with the number — for example, B-10, I-25, N-40, G-55, O-70. Numbers 1 to 15 are assigned to the B column, 16 to 30 to the I column, 31 to 45 to the N column, 46 to 60 to the G column, and 61 to 75 to the O column.
Each card has a unique serial number to permit quick verification by computer. All players calling bingo on the final ball split the winnings. The numbers are called slowly, and players often play large numbers of cards (thirty is not an unusual number).
In the United Kingdom and Australia bingo cards have three rows and nine columns. Five squares in each row contain numbers ranging from 1 to 90 and the rest are blank. The numbers are usually called quickly, so players rarely play more than one book (six cards).
A Bingo Book, (A set of Six cards) contains all the numbers from 1 to 90, Fifteen numbers on each card, five numbers in each row. The first column containing single numbers, the second ten, the third twenties, and so on. Number 90 is placed in the ninth column along with the eighties.The caller continues to select and announce numbers until the first player forms the agreed pattern(one line, two lines, full house) on thier card and shouts out the name of the pattern or bingo. One of the most common patterns, called house in the United Kingdom and Australia and full card in Canada and the United States, simply consists of marking all the numbers on the card. Other common Canadian and American patterns are single line, two lines, centre cross, L, Y, inner square (4 × 4), roving square (3 × 3), and roving kite (a 3 × 3 diamond). On Canadian and American cards lines can be made horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Inner and roving squares and kites must be completely filled; roving squares and kites may be made anywhere on the card.
Canadian and American games often have multiple bingos — for example, the players may first play for a single line, then after that is called continue playing for a full card, then for a consolation full card.
Because of the large numbers of cards played by individual players in Canadian and American halls, most Canadian and American halls have the players sit at tables, to which they often fasten their cards with adhesive tape. To mark faster the players usually use special markers called dabbers. At commercial halls, after calling the number the caller then displays the next number on a television monitor; bingo cannot be called until that number is called aloud, however. The numbers already called and the patterns being played are also displayed on electric signs.
There are traditional calls for the numbers. For example:
| Any single-digit number X | On Its Own, Number |
| 1 | Kelly's Eye |
| 5 | Man Alive |
| 7 | Lucky for Some |
| 8 | One Fat Lady |
| 9 | Doctor's Orders |
| 11 | Legs |
| 13 | Unlucky for Some |
| 16Integers Composite numbers 16 sixteen is the natural number following 15 and preceding 17. In mathematics Sixteen is a composite number, its proper divisors being 1, 2, 4 and 8. It is the fourth power of two. Sixteen is the only integer that equals and , | Sweet Sixteen |
| 212 1 2 1 21 twenty- one is the natural number following 20 and preceding 22. Cardinal twenty-one Ordinaltwenty-first Factorization Roman numeralXXI Binary10101 Hexadecimal15 In mathematics Twenty-one is a Fibonacci number, a Harshad number, a Motzkin numbe | Key of the Door |
| 222 2 2 2 22 twenty- two is the natural number following 21 and preceding 23. Cardinal twenty-two Ordinaltwenty-second Factorization Roman numeralXXII Binary10110 Hexadecimal16 In mathematics Twenty-two is a composite number, its proper divisors being 1, 2 | Two Little Ducks |
| 232 3 23 twenty-three is the natural number following 22 and preceding 24. Cardinal twenty-three Ordinaltwenty-third Factorization prime Roman numeralXXIII Binary10111 Hexadecimal17 In mathematics Twenty-three is the ninth prime number, the sequence continu | Thee and Me |
| 3030 thirty is the natural number following 29 and preceding 31. Cardinalthirty Ordinalthirtieth Numeral system Factorization Divisors2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 15 Roman numeralXXX Binary11110 Hexadecimal1E In mathematics It is a primorial as well as the sum of the sq | Dirty Gertie |
| 37Integers 37 is the natural number following 36 and preceding 38. Cardinalthirty-seven Ordinal37th (thirty-seventh) Factorization prime Roman numeralXXXVII Binary0100101 Hexadecimal25 In mathematics It is a prime number, the first irregular prime, a unique | More Than Eleven |
| 45Integers Composite numbers 45 is the natural number following 44 and followed by 46. Cardinal forty-five Ordinal45th (forty-fifth) Factorization Divisors 3, 5, 9, 15 Roman numeralXLV Binary101101 Hexadecimal2D In mathematics Forty-five is a triangular num | Halfway There |
| 51Integers Composite numbers 51 is the natural number following 50 and preceding 52. Cardinal fifty-one Ordinal51st (fifty-first) Factorization Roman numeralLI Binary110011 Hexadecimal33 Fifty-one is a pentagonal number as well as a centered pentagonal numb | Tweak of the Thumb |
| 59 | Brighton Line |
| 64 | Red Raw |
| 66 | Clickety-Click |
| 71 | Bang on the Drum |
| 76 | Trombones |
| 79 | One More Time |
| 81 | Stop and Run |
| 86 | Between the Sticks |
| 88 | Two Fat Ladies |
| 90 | Top of the Shop |
Although these numbers are amusing and each has its own story, most professional Bingo halls do not use them. If a caller were busy saying "two little ducks", and the number 22 has not yet been said, it is therefore not deemed "called". In an instance where a player may have missed his or her number, and a player is waiting for 22, both players would have valid argument that their number was "called".