Bingo Words and Terms

Caller: The person who calls out the bingo numbers as they tumble from the holder.

Coverall / Blackout: A bingo pattern where you must cover all numbers on the card to win.

Dauber: A foam-tipped bottle/pen filled with ink used to mark the numbers called. Available in fun colors and shapes. Daubers are the only acceptable method of marking paper cards in bingo halls.

Free Space: The center square of the bingo card. Its a freebie, and it counts toward your winning bingo pattern.

Game Board: The display board that show the bingo balls in play. Can also show the pattern-type of game being played.

Game Variations: Different ways that a game can be played, such as Double bingo, Triple bingo, Coverall, Progressives and Hardway. Each variation has specific rules, which are listed in your game program.

Hall Ball: First number drawn at the beginning of the bingo session.

Hardway bingo: bingo in a straight line without using the free space.

Double Hardway: bingo in two straight lines on the same card without using the free space.

Jackpot: A big prize usually awarded by winning on a difficult pattern, such as the blackout, in a specific number of balls.

Progressive Jackpot: A jackpot that grows until it is won and requires a separate buy-in.

Minimum Buy-In: The minimum dollar amount you must spend to be eligible for prizes.

Money Ball: A number drawn before the game that doubles your winnings if bingo is called on that number.

Pattern bingo: A specified pattern you need to cover on the bingo card in order to win the game, such as Letter X, Letter T, or Blackout.

Rainbow Pack: Packet of assorted-colored bingo cards that allow players to play for more than one prize denomination at once. Blue cards are the least expensive, then red, green and tan - which pays the top bucks.

Outside Square: A large-square bingo pattern. Player must mark all numbers in the B row and O row, and the top and bottom lines on the same card in order to win.

Inside Square: A small-square bingo pattern. Player must mark all the numbers surrounding the free space in the I, N and G columns.

Validation: After a called bingo to determine players eligibility for the jackpot award.

Wild Number: The wild number is determined by the first number called in a game. For example, if the first number called is G47, then all numbers ending in 7 will qualify as a wild number and should be daubed on all bingo cards. Wild numbers are often used when playing double bingo, where a player must bingo twice on the same card to win.