Bingo Terminology

It is always easier to enjoy playing a game if you are able to understand the basic terminology. The same is true with Bingo. Don’t be afraid to ask others around you if you are unsure of what is being said, most people are very friendly and willing to help.

There are some regional variations on bingo terms so make sure you fully understand before starting play. Here are a few bingo terms and their meanings.

• Admission packet – This is minimum number of cards that must be purchased to play. Usually these cards will be for the regular games and possibly a few of the special games. Additional cards for any game can be purchased prior to the game starting.
• Bingo board – The electronic display board that shows the numbers that have been called for the game.
• Bingo card – the pre-numbered card that you play to win the prize. Each card has 24 numbered spaces and one free square. The columns are under the letters BINGO.
• Bingo marker – anything used to mark the Bingo squares. It can be ink, chips, crayons or any other device the player wishes to use. Some halls may limit what can be used as Bingo markers.
• Caller – the person, usually at the front of the hall, that calls the bingo numbers.
• Cash-in-prize – the jackpot or payout is based on the amount of money collected by card sales for that game. The more players the greater the payout.
• Coverall – another term for blackout Bingo where all squares must be covered to win.
• Dauber – an ink filled plastic pen with a wide sponge tip used to mark the squares on a bingo card.
• Free Space – the center point of the card that is considered marked out on every card.
• Jackpot – a large prize that is based on completing a pattern in a certain number of calls.
• Lucky Jar – an additional jar or pot of cash that is won if the last number to cause the player to call Bingo is the identified lucky number.
• Money ball – a number that is determined prior to the start of play that will double the winnings if the Bingo is called when that number is played.
• Pattern – the shape needed to get a Bingo; this is usually displayed on a game board beside the bingo board.
• T.E.D or G.T.I – an electronic dauber system for marking packs of cards.
• Wrap Up – the final game of Bingo to be played that session.