The Bingo Language Part III

Sometimes it is uncomfortable to play online bingo because of the unfamiliar words they are using. UK bingo also has a unique set of Bingo Language that is not different from other countries in essence.


• Lucky Jar or Cookie Jar
A container containing cash wherein the contents are of the jar is given if you bingo on the lucky number. The lucky number being the first number called at the start of a session. Every time the lucky number is called or every time the caller makes a mistake in announcing the game, money is being added. The lucky jar is normally won on a regular game since there is no lucky number in special throw-away games.

• Minimum Buy-In
This is the smallest amount you must spend to qualify for the prizes.

• Money Ball
This is a number being drawn before the game which will double up a player's prize money whenever bingo is hit on that number.

• Moonlight Bingo
A bingo game session that starts late at night usually around 10:00 pm.



• Multiple Winners
More than one players declaring bingo at the same time. The prize is usually divided evenly among the winners. For example, if there are eight winners on an $800 winning game, each winner receives $100.

• Nicknames
It’s a caller’s technique of announcing and reiterating the numbers in an amusing way. The caller calls it this way it because it makes it easier to confirm the number despite a crowded and noisy room. This unique and funny way of playing bingo using nicknames continued in British Bingo halls but was soon diminished when quicker computer draws replaced air-blown balls.

• On The Way
The game played on the way to the blackout game. It is played prior to the blackout on the same card. The preliminary games are played first and then more numbers are called until there is a blackout.

• On
A player is said to be “on” when one or more cards they are playing lacks only one number to declare bingo.

• Pattern
It is the shape or form you need to mark on your card with the numbers being called out. In order to win the game, you only need to have that form of the pattern. The most popular pattern is the "blackout" or "coverall" where you have to cover the whole card to win. The basic patterns are straight lines in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal direction.

• Payout
The percentage of sales paid out by the House. The average payout among all bingo halls is approximately 75%. This matches up to the payout of nearly 45% on state lottery games.

• Postage Stamp Pattern
A pattern wherein you need to match four numbers to form a postage stamp in any of the four corners, usually a 2 x 2 grid.

• Progressive Jackpot
A kind of Jackpot where the prize increases until it is won. This usually builds up daily, weekly, or monthly if the prize is not won and the consolation prize of lesser dollar amounts is paid if there is no winner in a specific number of calls. Variations of progressive games would add dollars or numbers, or both, to the jackpot and buy-ins for Progressive Jackpot games are separate.

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