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Games of Chance
How to Win Bingo Download Article Reviewed by Ashton Wu
Last Updated: March 16, 2025
Download Article
Creating a Winning Environment
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Using Strategy to Win
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Video
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Q&A
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Things You'll Need
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This article was reviewed by Ashton Wu. Ashton Wu is a Board Game expert at Shelfside. After delving into the Yugioh tournament community while growing up, Ashton launched himself into the board gaming community in 2014 and went into reviewing board games as a career full-time in 2019. His YouTube channel Shelfside has over 50K subscribers and over 4 million views, assisted by written reviews on the Shelfside website and BoardGameGeek.com. He also consults with gaming companies to build high-quality gaming products. Ashton is a tournament commentator, board game playthrough director, and host of the Shelfside Podcast, where he talks about board games with his business partner, Daniel. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics at the University of California, Santa Barbara, in addition to the Technology Management Certificate. This article has been viewed 394,084 times.
Some people think of bingo as a simple game of chance. Others take the game of bingo, and the strategy behind it, absolutely seriously. Whether you are a statistics buff decoding numerical patterns or casual player looking to have fun, there are some basic ground rules that can set you up for bingo success.
Things You Should Know
Stay alert so you don't make any mistakes. Come early, come caffeinated, and listen closely.
Maximize your chances of winning by playing games with fewer competitors and playing multiple cards at once.
Choose cards that are more likely to win. For instance, look for a bingo card with many median numbers and very few repeated numbers.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 2:
Creating a Winning Environment
Download Article
1 Get there 30 minutes early. In order to win, you need to hear every single number that gets called. Arrive 30 minutes before the game is set to begin. This will give you time to purchase cards, visit with friends, get something to drink, set up your station, and get your head in the game before it begins.[1]XResearch source
When playing online bingo, make sure you have everything you need (something to drink, your phone, etc.) before you start a game.
2 Bring a bingo dabber and masking tape. You can set yourself up for success by bringing the right supplies with you. A bingo dabber enables you to quickly mark the numbers on your cards that have been called. Masking tape can help you keep your game pieces secured to your table (so you don’t waste time adjusting them).[2]XResearch source
You may also want to bring some good luck charms.
Many bingo halls sell dabbers, so you might be OK if you forget one.
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3 Choose your seat carefully. Where you sit can have a major effect on how well you play. The key is to avoid distractions. If you are serious about winning, you may not want to sit near friends, or other rambunctious people.[3]XResearch source
You may want to sit close to the caller. This helps to keep you focused, and helps make sure you don’t miss any numbers being called.
4 Stay alert. Whether you are playing in-person or online, missing even one number being called can make the difference between winning and losing, so the number 1 way to win at bingo is to stay alert![4]XResearch source Strategies for staying focused and aware can vary from person to person, but here are some tips:
Avoid drinking alcohol.
Consider drinking coffee or tea instead.
Don’t go to bingo on a day when you’re especially tired.
Take advantage of scheduled breaks.
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 2:
Using Strategy to Win
Download Article
1 Play games with lower attendance. Every game of bingo has just one winner. Fewer players means that each player has a greater chance of winning. Try attending bingo games on weeknights when the crowds tend to be smaller.[5]XResearch source
This applies to online bingo too!
Some bingo prize pots are based off the number of cards purchased, so although a small group of players increases your chances of winning, it may mean a smaller prize.
2 Figure out how many cards you can handle. The more cards (or in some cases, cards) you have, the better your chances are of winning. This is true for in-person bingo, as well as online. However, this only holds up if you are able to truly check the numbers on all of your cards effectively. Start with no more than 4 cards. If you feel you’ve gotten the hang of 4 cards, try adding 1 card at a time.[6]XResearch source
In a game with 20 players where everyone has 1 card, every player has a 5% chance of winning.
In a game with 20 players where everyone has 1 card, but you have 4 cards, your chances of winning are 17%.
3 Consider buying fewer cards, but playing more games. According to concepts of mathematical probability, there should be a uniform pattern in the way the balls are drawn. This means that the longer you stay in the game, the higher the likelihood becomes that your balls will be drawn. If you are working with a set budget, it might be a better strategy for you to play fewer cards in more games.[7]XResearch source
This strategy only works in the classic “wheel-of-balls” version of the game.
4 Mark your cards with highlighter for special pattern games. In most bingo games, there are five ways to win: five in a row, blackout, X, and 4 corners. However, many bingo halls also have “special pattern” games to keep things interesting. For these special pattern games, mark your cards with a highlighter to help you remember which squares can win.[8]XResearch source
5 Choose cards with median numbers. The Tippett theory suggests that more numbers that are called in a wheel-of-balls bingo game, the more those numbers will gravitate towards the middle. If you can, look for bingo cards with more numbers toward the median.[9]XResearch source
In a game that goes from 1-99, the median would be 45.
The Tippett theory has never been proven.
This theory was designed in terms of the classic "wheel-of-balls" version of the game, but many online bingo players use it as well.
6 Select cards that don’t have a lot of numbers in common. This way, you can cover a wider range of numbers. If you are playing multiple cards at once, this should increase your odds of winning.
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Community Q&A
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Question If my chances of winning are 1 in 10,000, how many others might win instead of me? Community Answer 9,999 others could potentially win. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 52 Helpful 40
Question Are there other ways to play the game other than straight up, down, across, or corner to corner? TheArtOfSarcasm Community Answer There are many different ways to play Bingo, and you can even make some up yourself. Some popular ways to play are 4 corners or X. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 35 Helpful 40
Question We have a club game. How much money should you charge for each card in a game? Joanne Community Answer It all comes down to how much your club wants to charge people for a card. Just be ready for some people to walk away if it is too much. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 9 Helpful 4
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Things You'll Need
Bingo dabbers
Masking tape
Bingo cards
Highlighter
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Reviewed by: Ashton Wu Board Game Expert This article was reviewed by Ashton Wu. Ashton Wu is a Board Game expert at Shelfside. After delving into the Yugioh tournament community while growing up, Ashton launched himself into the board gaming community in 2014 and went into reviewing board games as a career full-time in 2019. His YouTube channel Shelfside has over 50K subscribers and over 4 million views, assisted by written reviews on the Shelfside website and BoardGameGeek.com. He also consults with gaming companies to build high-quality gaming products. Ashton is a tournament commentator, board game playthrough director, and host of the Shelfside Podcast, where he talks about board games with his business partner, Daniel. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics at the University of California, Santa Barbara, in addition to the Technology Management Certificate. This article has been viewed 394,084 times. 106 votes - 66% Co-authors: 5Updated: March 16, 2025 Views: 394,084 Categories: Games of ChanceArticle SummaryX
To win bingo, look for a weeknight game with lower attendance to up your chances of winning. Show up to the game 30 minutes early, find a good seat near the front, and arrange your dabbers and masking tape on the table in front of you. Select bingo cards that don’t have a lot of numbers in common and figure out how many cards you can handle at one time, since the more cards you have, the better your chances are of winning! For tips on using other strategies, read on!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Reviewed by: Ashton Wu Board Game Expert This article was reviewed by Ashton Wu. Ashton Wu is a Board Game expert at Shelfside. After delving into the Yugioh tournament community while growing up, Ashton launched himself into the board gaming community in 2014 and went into reviewing board games as a career full-time in 2019. His YouTube channel Shelfside has over 50K subscribers and over 4 million views, assisted by written reviews on the Shelfside website and BoardGameGeek.com. He also consults with gaming companies to build high-quality gaming products. Ashton is a tournament commentator, board game playthrough director, and host of the Shelfside Podcast, where he talks about board games with his business partner, Daniel. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics at the University of California, Santa Barbara, in addition to the Technology Management Certificate. This article has been viewed 394,084 times. 106 votes - 66% Co-authors: 5 Updated: March 16, 2025 Views: 394,084 Categories: Games of Chance Article SummaryX
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1 Get there 30 minutes early. In order to win, you need to hear every single number that gets called. Arrive 30 minutes before the game is set to begin. This will give you time to purchase cards, visit with friends, get something to drink, set up your station, and get your head in the game before it begins.[1] 
2 Bring a bingo dabber and masking tape. You can set yourself up for success by bringing the right supplies with you. A bingo dabber enables you to quickly mark the numbers on your cards that have been called. Masking tape can help you keep your game pieces secured to your table (so you don’t waste time adjusting them).[2] 
3 Choose your seat carefully. Where you sit can have a major effect on how well you play. The key is to avoid distractions. If you are serious about winning, you may not want to sit near friends, or other rambunctious people.[3] 
4 Stay alert. Whether you are playing in-person or online, missing even one number being called can make the difference between winning and losing, so the number 1 way to win at bingo is to stay alert![4] Strategies for staying focused and aware can vary from person to person, but here are some tips: 
1 Play games with lower attendance. Every game of bingo has just one winner. Fewer players means that each player has a greater chance of winning. Try attending bingo games on weeknights when the crowds tend to be smaller.[5] 
2 Figure out how many cards you can handle. The more cards (or in some cases, cards) you have, the better your chances are of winning. This is true for in-person bingo, as well as online. However, this only holds up if you are able to truly check the numbers on all of your cards effectively. Start with no more than 4 cards. If you feel you’ve gotten the hang of 4 cards, try adding 1 card at a time.[6] 
3 Consider buying fewer cards, but playing more games. According to concepts of mathematical probability, there should be a uniform pattern in the way the balls are drawn. This means that the longer you stay in the game, the higher the likelihood becomes that your balls will be drawn. If you are working with a set budget, it might be a better strategy for you to play fewer cards in more games.[7] 
4 Mark your cards with highlighter for special pattern games. In most bingo games, there are five ways to win: five in a row, blackout, X, and 4 corners. However, many bingo halls also have “special pattern” games to keep things interesting. For these special pattern games, mark your cards with a highlighter to help you remember which squares can win.[8] 
5 Choose cards with median numbers. The Tippett theory suggests that more numbers that are called in a wheel-of-balls bingo game, the more those numbers will gravitate towards the middle. If you can, look for bingo cards with more numbers toward the median.[9] 
6 Select cards that don’t have a lot of numbers in common. This way, you can cover a wider range of numbers. If you are playing multiple cards at once, this should increase your odds of winning. Advertisement 
Community Answer 9,999 others could potentially win. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 52 Helpful 40 
TheArtOfSarcasm Community Answer There are many different ways to play Bingo, and you can even make some up yourself. Some popular ways to play are 4 corners or X. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 35 Helpful 40 
Joanne Community Answer It all comes down to how much your club wants to charge people for a card. Just be ready for some people to walk away if it is too much. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 9 Helpful 4 
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