90 Ball Bingo: Definition, Rules, How to Play and Winning Patterns
Jennifer McFadyen | Reviewed by 
Thomas Jones | Updated on Jul 11, 2024
90 ball bingo is a bingo variant using 90 balls numbered from 1 to 90. Tickets with a 3×9 grid and 5 numbers on each row are featured in this game with wins awarded for 1 line, 2 lines and a full house. 90 ball bingo is the most popular form of bingo in both physical bingo halls and online.
To get started playing 90 ball bingo, players can purchase bingo tickets and any matching numbers will automatically be daubed from the card. If a win is achieved, a cash prize is awarded.
Carry on reading to learn more about the rules of 90 ball bingo, the payouts, card layout, strategy tips to win and more.
What is 90 Ball Bingo?
90 ball bingo is a bingo game with 90 numbered balls in play. The tickets in these games have a 3×9 grid consisting of 5 numbers on each row and 4 empty spaces. Each bingo card has 9 columns with sets of grouped numbers in each. In this game, players can win by daubing 1 line, 2 lines or a full house of randomised numbers on a bingo card.
This is the most popular type of bingo game in the UK. It first gained popularity across UK bingo halls but is not just as popular online as in brick and mortar establishments. The majority of online bingo sites will provide at least one 90 ball bingo game and most offer several bingo rooms featuring this bingo variant.
What Are the Basic Rules to Play 90 Ball Bingo?
The basic rules to play 90 ball bingo are there are 90 balls in play and bingo cards, each with a 3×9 grid and 15 numbers. Players can buy bingo cards before the game starts and then wait until the game begins. The numbers are then randomly called, and if any match the numbers on your cards, they will automatically be daubed. If you get the next winning bingo pattern, such as 1 line, 2 lines or a full house, you will be awarded the corresponding cash prize. The end objective of this game is to get a full house.
What is a 90 ball bingo card?
A 90 ball bingo card is the card on which numbers are displayed on during a 90 ball bingo game. These cards have a 3×9 grid with 5 numbers on each row, leaving 4 empty spaces. As the bingo numbers are called, they are automatically marked on the bingo card.
What is a 90 ball bingo ticket?
A 90 ball bingo ticket is the ticket on which numbers are displayed on during a 90 ball bingo game. The tickets have a 3×9 grid with 5 numbers on each row. There are also 4 empty spaces on each row. When bingo numbers are called, they are then automatically crossed off on the bingo ticket.
What is a 90 ball bingo caller?
A 90 ball bingo caller announces the numbers randomly during a 90 ball bingo game. Any numbers called that match those on your bingo tickets can then be daubed.
How much is the payout in 90 ball bingo?
The RTP payout in 90 ball bingo is generally about 70%, which means the house edge is around 30%. The RTP is the ‘return to player’ and this math percentage displays the amount of cash the game is likely to pay out to players. So, an RTP of 70% means that the game will pay out around £70 as winnings for every £100 wagered. This percentage is calculated over a long period of time. The higher the RTP, the better the odds of winning.
The exact payout in 90 ball bingo varies depending on a range of factors including the number of players in the room and the price of tickets.
What does marking mean?
Marking is when the number called matches the number on your bingo card and it is marked off with a cross. When a line, 2 lines or a full house of numbers is marked, the bingo player may win a prize. In online bingo games, the dabber is automatic using computer software to mark numbers.
What is the layout and pattern of a 90 ball bingo grid?
The layout and pattern of a 90 ball bingo grid is a 3×9 grid. There are 3 rows and nine columns, with 5 numbers on each row and 4 empty spaces. These numbers are randomised but each column has a number grouping:
- Column 1: Numbers 1 – 9
- Column 2: Numbers 10 – 19
- Column 3: Numbers 20 – 29
- Column 4: Numbers 30 – 39
- Column 5: Numbers 40 – 49
- Column 6: Numbers 50 – 59
- Column 7: Numbers 60 – 69
- Column 8: Numbers 70 – 79
- Column 9: Numbers 80 – 90
How to Play 90 Ball Bingo?
To play 90 ball bingo, players need to choose what bingo game they want to play, purchase bingo tickets, daub numbers and win a prize.
The sequential steps for playing 90 ball bingo are described below:
- Select a bingo site
- Create an account
- Deposit funds
- Choose a 90 ball bingo game
- Purchase a game ticket
- Begin the game
- Check your bingo card to see if you win
What is the duration of 90 ball bingo?
The duration of 90 ball bingo is normally between 10 and 15 minutes. However, timings can change depending on the number of players in the room.
What Are the Winning Patterns of 90 Ball Bingo?
The winning patterns of 90 ball bingo are 1 line, 2 lines and a full house.
- 1 line – the first cash prize awarded is for daubing 1 horizontal line of numbers from your bingo card
- 2 lines – the second cash prize awarded is for daubing 2 horizontal lines of numbers from your bingo card
- Full house – the final cash prize awarded is for daubing all numbers on your bingo card and the game then ends
What are the tips to win at 90 ball bingo?
The tips to win at 90 ball bingo include taking advantage of promotions, playing lower priced games, purchasing the maximum number of tickets and playing at off-peak times.
- Take advantage of promotions – if you want more chances to win playing online bingo, take advantage of any promotions for bingo bonus cash or free bingo tickets that your chosen bingo site is offering.
- Enjoy lower priced bingo games – if you want to get as many bingo games out of your budget as possible, opt to play lower priced bingo games. The more games you can play, the more likely you will win. Many bingo games offer tickets for as little as 1p or 2p.
- Max out your bingo tickets – if your budget allows, you should try and purchase the maximum number of bingo tickets for your game as this will provide more winning opportunities.
- Play at off-peak times – playing at off peak times usually means there are fewer players inside the bingo rooms and less competition. Even if you are playing at peak hours, try and opt for a bingo room with as few players as possible.
What Are the Alternatives to 90 Ball Bingo?
The alternatives to 90 ball bingo include 75 ball bingo, 80 ball bingo, 50 ball bingo and 30 ball bingo.
75 Ball Bingo
75 ball bingo is an alternative to 90 ball bingo and is played with 75 balls numbered from 1 to 75. Each ticket has a 5×5 grid with a centre blank space and 24 numbers. As the game begins, numbers are announced and marked from the bingo tickets if they match. 75 ball bingo is similar to 90 ball bingo but prizes are also awarded for daubing special patterns.
80 Ball Bingo
80 ball bingo is played with 80 balls numbered from 1 to 80. Each ticket has a 4×4 grid containing 16 numbers. There are no blank sections on 80 ball bingo tickets. These tickets are colour-coded for each of the numbered sections which includes a red column for numbers 1 – 20, a yellow column for numbers 21 – 40, a blue block for numbers 41 – 59 and a silver block for numbers 60 to 80. This game is different to 90 ball bingo as numbers are daubed vertically, horizontally, diagonally and on all four corners to create winning patterns. Wins are also awarded for specific patterns announced before the game and if a full house is achieved.
50 Ball Bingo
50 ball bingo is played with 50 balls numbered from 1 to 50. Each bingo ticket has a 5×3 grid containing 10 numbers and no blank spaces. The rounds begin with numbers called and any matching numbers are daubed from the tickets. There are fewer ways to win in this game compared to 90 ball bingo as wins are only awarded for 1 line and a full house.
30 Ball Bingo
30 ball bingo played with 30 balls numbered from 1 to 30. Each ticket has a 3×3 grid filled with 9 numbers and no spaces. This game offers fewer chances to win compared to 90 ball bingo as a prize is only awarded for a full house. 30 ball bingo is also often referred to as speed bingo.
What are the best 90 ball bingo sites?
The best online 90 ball bingo sites include PlayOJO, Tombola, JackpotJoy, Heart Bingo, Foxy Bingo, Mecca Bingo and Gala Bingo. All of these bingo sites are licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission.
PlayOJO
PlayOJO is a big casino brand in the UK which offers an array of bingo and slot games. This includes 90 ball bingo, 75 ball bingo, 80 ball bingo and 30 ball bingo games. Some of the most popular 90 ball bingo games include the 90 ball Hero room, the 90 Ball Amigo room, the 90 ball Drop Pots room and the 90 ball Free & Fab room. Alongside its bingo offering, players can spin the reels of over 3,000 slots on the go from the site’s downloadable mobile app on iOS and Android devices. This site also provides customer support which is available 24/7, super fast withdrawals and no wagering requirements.
Tombola
Tombola was launched in 2005 and is known throughout Great Britain for its marketing campaigns and sponsorship of popular television programmes. This site is unique as all of its games are developed in house and cannot be found anywhere else. These are around 30 bingo rooms plus a range of unique slot games. Bingo variants at this site include 90 ball bingo, 80 ball bingo, 75 ball bingo, 60 ball bingo, 50 ball bingo, 40 ball bingo and 30 ball bingo. Tombola excels in many other areas including offering 24/7 customer support, a downloadable mobile app and no wagering requirements.
JackpotJoy
JackpotJoy is a big bingo site with 16+ rooms powered by the fantastic Gamesys software. Along with 90 ball bingo, players can also take part in 80 ball and 75 ball bingo games. 90 ball bingo games available at this site include the Sapphire Bingo room, the Bubble Up Bingo room, and the Tiki Bingo room. There are also over 500 slots available to spin and these can be accessed easily on the go from the downloadable mobile app. JackpotJoy also provides incredibly fast withdrawals and 24/7 live chat support.
Heart Bingo
Heart Bingo was relaunched in 2021 and uses the branding of the famous Heart Radio Station in the UK. This site offers 15 varied bingo rooms with 90 ball, 80 ball, 75 ball and 30 ball bingo available. 90 ball bingo games at this site include Heart Bonanza Bingo, Diamond Dazzle, Heart and Soul and The Gold Rush. This site also offers over 3,000 slots, jackpot slots and live casino games. Players can easily enjoy these games on the go from the Heart Bingo mobile app plus there is live chat customer support, free withdrawals and no wagering requirements.
Foxy Bingo
Foxy Bingo is a well-known brand in the UK due to its eye-catching television adverts. Bingo variants available at this bingo site include 90 ball, 80 ball, 75 ball, 50 ball and 30 ball bingo. 90 ball bingo games available to play at this site include Foxy Fortunes, The Chase Bingo, Coronation Street Bingo, Emmerdale Bingo and Deal or No Deal. Foxy Bingo also offers over 1,000 slot games, no withdrawal fees, live chat customer support and a mobile app to make it easy to play on the go.
Mecca Bingo
Mecca Bingo was first launched back in 2003 and is one of the most iconic bingo brands in the UK. This site has 25 bingo rooms with variants including 90 ball, 80 ball, 75 ball and 30 ball bingo. The bingo provider is Playtech. Some of the top 90 ball bingo games available to play include Deal or No Deal bingo, Turbo Gold bingo, Session Bingo, Penny Lane Bingo, Fluffy Favourite Bingo and Age of the Gods Bingo. Players can also look forward to live chat customer support and a downloadable mobile app to make playing bingo on the go easy.
Gala Bingo
Gala Bingo is one of the UK’s most recognisable bingo brands and its online site has been hugely popular since its launch in 2005. This site has 20+ bingo rooms with various bingo variations including 90 ball, 80 ball, 75 ball, 50 ball and 30 ball bingo. These games are powered by Entain and include top 90 ball bingo games such as The Chase Bingo, Emmerdale Bingo, Night Owl and Bargain Wins. The bingo games and thousands of slots can easily be played on the go from a mobile or tablet device by downloading the Gala Bingo mobile app.
FAQs
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Jennifer McFayden is a creative and innovative writer, a true expert in her field, specialising in online bingo reviews and content. With several years of experience in the online gambling industry, she offers a fresh perspective and insight. Her admirable work, a testament to her deep understanding of the industry, is often showcased on popular industry websites.
She offers professional opinions and tips on how to improve players' games, make the right decisions, and prevent overspending in bingo games. Her motivational, direct, and simple tone and writing style help readers understand even the most complex topics in bingo.
