how to play
BINGO, IT’S EASY – WHEN YOU KNOW HOW!
A STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO HELP YOU ON YOUR WAY…
On each visit to the club you need swipe your membership card. Swiping your card couldn’t be easier, with the “BARCODE” showing place the barcode under the scanner where the red cross meets when it “beeps” check the screen to ensure your visit has been registered.
If you forget your card call first at the Membership Desk and ask for a Temporary card. If you have lost the card ask for a Replacement.
Guests over the age of eighteen may be signed in, this should also be done at the Membership Desk.
If you have never played bingo before you are not alone!!! Ask at the Membership or Admissions desk and one of our team will be delighted to show you the ropes.
Behind the admissions desk there is a counter from where you will be able to buy your bingo books or electronic bingo bee for the afternoon or evening sessions. This is referred to as the Book Counter or Book Sales.
There is the Early Session and the Main Session to purchase books/bees for.
On paper, on a set of SIX tickets you will have every number from 1 to 90 that may be called. On the National Game paper ticket you get a strip of five tickets.
Each ticket contains a selection of numbers (usually 15) within the range 1-90. Single numbers appear in the first column, 10s in the second column etc.
Please be aware that there are a number of games for sale each session. Some are single ticket “flyers”, others are a number of games joined together in “books”. These may be sold by more than one person so please be careful to stop at each selling point on the side of the book counter you attend.
You can also purchase and play bingo on the very latest Electronic Bingo Bees. On these electronic devices you can play all the various styles of Bingo played throughout the session and you can even let the device mark off the numbers for you – all you need to do is shout “Winner” when your lucky numbers come out!
When you have bought your bingo its time to find a seat, perhaps buy a snack or drink from the bar and prepare for the chance to win big at BINGO!
Now, how do you play bingo?
A session of BINGO is usually introduced by a loud burst of music – it’s time to take the top off your DABBER or pen and get ready for the FUN TO BEGIN!
The caller will announce before each page the name of the ticket or book and the colour of the first page. The caller will also state whether you are playing for ONE LINE ACROSS OR TWO LINES ACROSS OR A FULL HOUSE.
When the game starts, as a number is called, you need to mark it off your ticket. (or mark on your bee) Remember you will have all the numbers called ONLY if you have a set of SIXES.
The first person to mark off all the numbers required for the type of game being played must Shout out LOUD AND CLEAR to STOP the game.
EXAMPLE
The caller announces that we are playing for A LINE, as soon as the caller announces the fifth number that you are waiting for RAISE YOUR HAND AND SHOUT!
WHAT DO YOU SHOUT?
Popular cries are : “HOUSE” “LINE” “BINGO” “RIGHT”
It’s up to you so long as it’s polite and loud!
BEWARE! – If the caller does not hear you or if they starts to call the next number before they do hear you it’s too late – your chance to claim has become a false call and the game will continue. The LAST NUMBER CALLED MUST BE ON THE WINNING CLAIM OF ANY GAME unless otherwise indicated.
When you have shouted and made sure you have been seen your claim will be checked and if you have a valid claim you should receive your winnings at your table. If not, take your winning book to the booksales counter.
Prizes vary but will be displayed and announced by the caller and if you share with another member your prize will be split equally.
In between sessions of BINGO we play other games of bingo referred to as “mini bingo”. These games are normally played on the boards kept at the side of most seating positions.
The caller will announce the price of each game and the type. Some games are for “full houses” others are for “any line or four corners”. A line can be diagonal, across or down.
On all normal games the top red square is a FREE SQUARE so keep this covered up.
Coins may be put in the slot that has the same number as the board allocated to your table. There is a red board and a blue board for each slot.
The red board will always be the board in play if you insert the correct amount of money and the coins are accepted. The red board “in play” indicator light must be lit to be in play. If it isn’t, press the white coin reject button (where fitted).
Tip: Insert one coin at a time to avoid coin jam.
To play the blue board, insert the stake required and press the red claim button to bring the blue board into play. The blue board “in play” indicator light must be lit for the blue board to be in play.
On these games when the caller announces a number that is on your board he/she will also state the colour.
When you have marked off the required winning combination press the claim button and if you prefer shout house!
Ask a member of staff if you need assistance.
BIG MONEY!:
In some games of bingo we join other clubs to play for bigger prize money. Special rules may apply to these games that differ from normal in house rules.
This game is played with many other bingo clubs across the country.
Every day there are two chances to win up to £50,000! Indeed many Cosmo members have won big on this game!
Make sure you have your National Game ticket – it could change your bank balance!
The game is a straight full house.
On most sessions a live link game is played in a number of clubs again for a decent amount of prize money. Most games are treble chance. That’s one line then two lines and then on for the full house.
