Whether you’re brand new to online bingo or bringing a bit of old-school bingo hall experience with you, understanding bingo tickets, strips, and patterns can make every game feel clearer and more enjoyable.
Bingo might look simple at first glance — numbers, cards, and calls — but there’s a clever structure behind every ticket. Once you understand how tickets are laid out and how patterns work, it’s much easier to relax, follow the game, and enjoy the social buzz of the bingo room.
This guide breaks everything down in a clear, friendly way, so you know exactly what’s happening when the numbers start rolling.
What Exactly Is a Bingo Ticket?
A bingo ticket is the card (or digital card) that contains the numbers you’ll be playing with during a game. As numbers are called, matching numbers on your ticket are marked automatically in online bingo.
The layout of a ticket depends on the type of bingo you’re playing.
90-Ball Bingo Tickets
A classic 90-ball bingo ticket uses a 3×9 grid, with 15 numbers in total.
- Numbers range from 1 to 90
- Each row contains 5 numbers and 4 blank spaces
- The full grid has 27 squares
This layout makes tickets easy to scan, even in faster games, and forms the foundation of traditional UK bingo.
75-Ball Bingo Tickets
These cards use a 5×5 grid, often with a “FREE” space in the centre. Each column corresponds to a letter in BINGO
Numbers run:
B: 1–15
I: 16–30
N: 31–45
G: 46–60
O: 61–75
This format is ideal for pattern-based games, which we’ll run over shortly.
80-Ball Bingo Tickets
80-ball bingo tickets use a 4×4 grid, usually filled completely with numbers.These cards are often colour-coded, which makes patterns easier to spot and gives games a more visual, modern feel.
30-Ball Bingo Tickets (Speed Bingo)
30-ball bingo is quick and straightforward, using a 3×3 grid with just 9 numbers.
Because there are fewer numbers in play, games move at a brisk pace. It’s a popular choice for shorter sessions or mobile play.
What Is a Bingo Strip?
If you play 90-ball bingo, you’ll often see the option to buy a strip.
A bingo strip is a set of six tickets, designed so that every number from 1 to 90 appears exactly once across the strip.
This format comes from traditional bingo halls and has carried over online because it creates a balanced and easy-to-follow experience throughout the game.
🎲 Zingo Tip: Why do bingo strips matter? Simply because the strips cover every number from 1 to 90 across six tickets, so the game keeps moving and stays easy to follow!
Bingo Patterns: The Heart of Many Games
Bingo patterns are the shapes you need to complete on your ticket to win a game. While classic bingo focuses on familiar wins like lines and full houses, online bingo rooms introduce a wider mix of creative patterns that change from game to game.
Common Bingo Patterns by Game Type
- 90-Ball Bingo: One line, two lines, and full house
- 75-Ball Bingo: Often simple patterns such as lines or a full card, with more complex shapes used less frequently
- 80-Ball Bingo: Straightforward patterns like lines, corners, or full house
- 30-Ball Bingo: One line, two lines, or full house
While some bingo games may occasionally feature themed or shape-based patterns, most online bingo rooms focus on classic, easy-to-understand layouts. At Zingo Bingo, patterns are kept clear and familiar. Disco Inferno follows the classic 90-ball format with one line, two lines, and full house, while Electric 80’s offers an 80-ball setup with simple, easy-to-follow patterns in columns. The winning pattern is always shown before the game starts.
🎲 Zingo Tip: So How Do Tickets, Strips & Patterns Work Together in Online Bingo?
In 90-ball bingo, strips and classic patterns keep the game flowing, while 75-ball and 80-ball games focus more on completing simple shapes. Online bingo brings it all together with automatic marking and clear visuals, making every game easy to follow from the first call.
Our Final Thoughts!
Bingo tickets, strips, and patterns are the foundation of every game, offline or online. Once you understand how they work, you’ll appreciate the design, fairness, and creativity behind each bingo room.
From the structured simplicity of 90-ball tickets to the colourful chaos of 75-ball patterns and the fast fun of 30-ball grids, there’s a style suited for every type of player.
So next time you join a room, you’ll know what’s on your ticket and which pattern you’re playing for, making it easier to sit back and enjoy the flow of the game!
