If you’re new to the world of bingo, you may have noticed that players often use a special vocabulary. From quirky number calls to online chat shorthand, bingo has its own language that can seem confusing at first.
This guide will introduce you to the essential bingo terminology every player should know. By the end, you’ll be able to follow along confidently, whether you’re in a traditional hall or playing online.
Why Bingo Terminology Matters
Bingo has always been more than just marking numbers on a card. It’s about community, excitement, and a shared experience. Over time, players and callers have developed unique expressions that make the game more lively and sociable.
- In traditional halls, bingo calls added humour and rhythm to the game.
- In online bingo, chat abbreviations and shorthand keep the conversation flowing quickly while the numbers are drawn.
Knowing the terminology will not only help you follow the game more easily but also make you feel part of the bingo community.
Classic Bingo Calls in the UK
Traditional British bingo is famous for its 90-ball number calls, where each number is paired with a phrase or rhyme. Some of these date back decades, while others have been modernised. Here are a few well-known examples:
- 2 – One little duck (because the number resembles a duck)
- 11 – Legs eleven (the digits look like legs standing together)
- 22 – Two little ducks
- 66 – Clickety click
- 88 – Two fat ladies (an old classic, though less common today due to changing social norms)
- 90 – Top of the shop (the highest number in the game)
These playful calls bring character to traditional bingo halls and are still fondly remembered, even if online games usually display numbers without the rhymes.
Essential Bingo Terms
Whether you’re playing in a hall or online, certain terms are central to the game:
- Ticket / Card: The grid of numbers you play with. In 90-ball bingo, each ticket has 15 numbers.
- Strip: A set of six tickets covering all numbers from 1–90 between them.
- Caller: The person (or software) announcing the numbers.
- Dabber: A marker pen used to cross off numbers in traditional bingo halls.
- Line: Completing all numbers in a horizontal row.
- Two Lines: Completing two horizontal rows on the same ticket.
- Full House: Marking off every number on a ticket – usually the biggest prize.
- Jackpot: A large prize, often progressive, that can be won by meeting certain conditions.
Online Bingo Terminology
Playing bingo online introduces some extra terms that reflect the digital format:
- Auto-dab / Auto-mark: A feature that automatically marks numbers as they’re called, so you never miss a win.
- Lobby: The main menu area where you can choose which game or room to join.
- Chat Room: A space alongside the game where players can talk to each other.
- Chat Host (CH): A person running the chat, keeping players engaged, and sometimes running side games.
- RTP (Return to Player): The theoretical percentage of stakes that a game pays back over time.
- Bonus Funds: Extra credit awarded by a site, often as part of promotions.
These terms make online bingo easy to navigate, even if you’ve never set foot in a traditional hall.
Bingo Chat Lingo
One of the most distinctive aspects of online bingo is the chat room language. To keep things quick and fun, players use abbreviations. Here are some of the most common:
- GL – Good luck
- WD – Well done
- TY – Thank you
- BRB – Be right back
- LOL – Laugh out loud
- 1TG – One to go (you need just one number to win)
- 2TG – Two to go
- BBS – Be back soon
Learning these abbreviations will help you join the flow of chat and feel part of the community.
Bingo Variations and Their Terms
Different versions of bingo come with their own terminology. The most common formats include:
- 90-Ball Bingo (UK style): Focuses on one line, two lines, and full house.
- 75-Ball Bingo (US style): Uses a 5×5 grid, with wins based on completing patterns such as lines, crosses, or corners.
- 80-Ball Bingo: Played on a 4×4 grid, with flexible winning patterns.
- 30-Ball Bingo: Also called “speed bingo” because games are short and fast-paced.
Each variation may use slightly different phrases for wins and patterns, but the core concepts remain similar.
Fun Extras in Online Bingo
Online bingo sites often add mini-games, features, or themed rooms. This has led to some newer terms:
- Side Games: Casino-style games (like slots) that can be played alongside bingo.
- Progressive Jackpot: A prize that grows until someone wins it.
- Roomies: Other players in your bingo chat room.
- Bingo Points: Loyalty or reward points earned by playing.
These features show how online bingo has evolved beyond the basics, blending tradition with modern entertainment.
Tips for Learning the Lingo
If you’re a beginner, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed by the terminology at first. Here are a few ways to get comfortable:
- Listen and watch: In halls, pay attention to how numbers are called. Online, read the chat to pick up common phrases.
- Use glossaries: Many bingo sites provide a list of terms for newcomers.
- Join in the chat: Even simple phrases like “GL” or “WD” help you feel included.
- Don’t worry about mistakes: Bingo communities are usually very welcoming – everyone was a beginner once.
Bingo terminology may seem like a language of its own, but once you learn the basics, it quickly becomes second nature. From traditional calls like “legs eleven” to modern online abbreviations like “1TG,” these terms enrich the experience and connect players across the UK and beyond.
Understanding the lingo will not only make you a more confident player but also help you feel part of the wider bingo community. Whether you’re marking off paper tickets in a hall or chatting online while the numbers roll in, bingo’s unique language is part of what makes the game so entertaining.
So the next time you play, you’ll know exactly what your fellow players mean and you’ll be ready to join in with the fun.