This bingo version is more popular over in the USA, although UK players are certainly warming to its appeal – mainly due to the exposure it has been given from the online bingo craze. As the name suggests, this game is played with 75 balls numbered from 1 to 75.
Tickets
The bingo tickets in 75 ball bingo consist of a 5 by 5 grid – making 25 squares in total. All of the squares contain a number, except for the middle square which is a ‘freebie’ and contains a star. This means that there are 24 playable numbers per ticket.
As with the other bingo types, the numbers are marked off and prizes claimed automatically by the bingo software.
Game Types
There are actually two different types of 75 ball bingo – a ‘straight up’ line and house version, and a quirkier ‘pattern’ game. Both games play the same, but which numbers you’re trying to match differs between the types. Normally each 75 ball bingo room will only offer one type or the other, but there are usually at least one room of each type running at all times.
75 Ball Line Bingo
The first type of 75 ball bingo we’re going to look at is the simpler version. In this format, the requirements are the same for each game, and there are five prizes:
- 1 Line – The first prize is for matching any line. This line can be horizontal, vertical or diagonal and can use the free center square, but doesn’t have too.
- 2 Lines / 3 Lines / 4 Lines – The second, third and fourth prizes are for getting 2, 3 and 4 lines, respectively. For these prizes, only horizontal lines count. Vertical and diagonal lines can only be used to claim the 1-line prize.
- 5 Lines / Full House – The final, and largest prize is for 5 lines – which makes a full house.
75 Ball Pattern Bingo
With the pattern bingo game, your aim is to make a specific pattern. These patterns change each game, and what you’re trying to achieve will be clearly stated in the games info window. It is important to note that in all pattern games, it does not matter if you have matched numbers that are outside of the pattern – so long as you have the numbers in the pattern, you can win the prize (even if the additional matched squares make your ticket look nothing like the pattern).
On the Virtue Fusion network there are two types of pattern game:
- Line : Pattern : Coverall – Here you have three prizes up for grabs. The first is for making a line, which can be horizontal, vertical or diagonal. The second prize is for making a specific pattern such as a kite or butterfly. There are three types of pattern:
- ‘Static’ patterns – which must be matched in the exact position that they are shown.
- ‘Crazy’ patterns – which can be rotated on the ticket.
- ‘Wild’ Patterns – which cannot be rotated, but can be won in any position.
The final prize in this game is awarded to the first player to match all of their squares (aka a coverall or full house).
- Sub Pattern : Pattern : Coverall – Again there are three prizes up for grabs in this game. The game revolves around a pattern that is split into two sections – such as a coffee mug or basket. Each section is known as a ‘Sub Pattern’ which come together to form the pattern. The first prize goes to the player who is the first to complete one of the sub patterns – although it does not matter which sub pattern it is. The second prize goes to the first player who completes the full pattern, and the final prize goes to the first player to complete their entire ticket.
