Back in the swinging sixties, there was only one form of bingo in the UK and that was 90-ball bingo. It was played mostly by women in large halls or community centres and attracted a large and loyal following. These days bingo is more commonly played online and other games exist alongside the original 90-ball game. One of the most popular ‘new’ games is not actually new at all. 75-ball bingo has been played in the US for decades but it has only crossed the pond with the advent of the Internet.
The differences between the two games offer variety to regular bingo players and another way new players can get involved. Just as with 90-ball bingo, 75-ball bingo is fun to play and is actually easy to master than 90-ball bingo. Here are the main differences between the two games.
90-ball bingo
The name offers a major clue about how this game is played. The game is played with 90 balls number from one to ninety. Players each have a card containing 15 numbers. These numbers are spread along three rows and in nine columns. There are five numbers per row. The aim of the game is to mark all 15 numbers on your card, achieving a full house. However, you can also win bonuses for completing one and two lines. 90-ball bingo games tend to offer the biggest bonuses. 90-ball bingo bonuses at Costa Bingo are in the thousands, including a free bingo 90-ball game every Friday with a £10,000 jackpot. Because there are three chances to win, bingo bonuses at CostaBingo for 90-ball games tend to be larger overall.
75-ball bingo
This American version of bingo is played with 75 balls number one to 75. A player has a 5×5 card completely filled out with numbers except the central square, so 24 numbers in total. Rather than completing lines or marking off all 24 numbers, players have to complete a pattern as the numbers are called. Therefore there is only one way to win: to be the first player to complete the designated pattern, such as a diamond or heart shape. Because there is just one way to win the total prize purse is lower, however winning jackpots can be higher. But because this game is generally viewed as easier, jackpots aren’t usually as high for 75-ball bingo as they are for 90-ball bingo.
