Online Bingo - The Rules

Participating in online bingo can be hugely entertaining and is usually very straightforward, but for any online bingo newcomers, it might help to briefly explore the rules.

The rules for online bingo are very much the same as those of land based bingo whether you are playing 75 or 90 ball games. Virtual bingo cards are displayed in much the same manner as traditional cards with grid of squares housing the numbers. One major difference however is that online bingo sites provide an ‘auto-daub’ option which will automatically mark the numbers on your online card, so you need never be concerned about overlooking a call.

Most online bingo sites require players to form specific patterns on their cards in order to win, with the first player completing the necessary pattern being the winner. The major virtual bingo operators offer progressive jackpots where the winner is the player who successfully completes the required card pattern within a specified number of balls being drawn. If this isn't achieved in the initial game then the prize is increased and carried forward to the next game. Every player in every game has the same chance of winning as any other player, and jackpots can grow to substantial levels with thousands of pounds frequently offered!

Just as you might favour a friendly conversation between games in a land based bingo hall, internet based bingo provides you with the opportunity to interact with other players online. These exchanges take place in bingo 'chat rooms' and are monitored closely by the site operators. Any player considered to be behaving inappropriately runs the risk of being ejected from the chat room and banned from the site.

The above regulations are relevant to players, but online bingo operators are also obliged to adhere to certain practices. The most important being that credit or debit card payments are required to be processed by a professionally licensed company nominated by the bingo operator. The majority employ an independently licensed card administration company to carry out deposits and withdrawals, with the name of this company appearing on your bank or credit card statements.

20th June 2008