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Everything About Online Bingo Cards And Calls

Last updated: 14.11.2025
Emily Thompson
Published by:Emily Thompson
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Bingo remains one of the most celebrated games globally, and for a good reason. Playing bingo naturally involves using cards, and in the online realm, you can use digital bingo cards or even generate your own with a free bingo card generator. Navigating virtual bingo cards is a breeze, as the platform guides you every step of the way when you create your card.

Another aspect that sparks interest are the bingo numbers, often referred to as bingo calls or lingo. You might have come across terms like "lucky bingo numbers," "winning bingo numbers," or "bingo game numbers." These all point to the extensive list of bingo calls that we'll delve into shortly in this article.

Understanding Bingo Cards

Bingo cards are essentially the tickets you use to play online bingo. There are fundamentally two main types of cards you'll encounter. One is the 5x5 grid, a staple for 75-ball bingo, widely popular in countries like the United States. The other features a 9x3 grid, commonly used for 90-ball bingo, often known as "Housie" in the UK.

75-Ball Bingo Cards

For 75-ball bingo, players use cards with five columns and five squares each. The central square is typically a free space, while the other squares are filled with numbers. These numbers are organized under specific letters:

  • B: Numbers 1 through 15
  • I: Numbers 16 through 30
  • N: Numbers 31 through 45
  • G: Numbers 46 through 60
  • O: Numbers 61 through 75

90-Ball Bingo Cards in Nigeria

In Nigeria, and indeed in many parts of the world, cards for 90-ball bingo are often called "tickets." These tickets are typically laid out in three rows and nine columns. Each row contains five numbers and four empty spaces arranged randomly. The numbers are distributed across the columns as follows: 1-9, 10-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, and 80-90.

Nigerian Bingo Calls: The Lingo You Need to Know

Bingo calls, also known as bingo numbers or bingo lingo, add a unique flavour to the game! Many players find the sheer volume of 90 bingo calls fascinating. We'll break down some of the most common Nigeria-specific bingo calls and their origins. You'll find a comprehensive list below, making it easier to follow along and feel like a pro player.

  1. Kelly’s eye: A classic bingo call. While it might have roots in Australian folklore or military slang, it's universally recognised for the number 1.
  2. One little duck: The number 2, looking like a lone duck. Visualising the shape helps players remember this call.
  3. Cup of tea: This is a simple and popular rhyme for the number 3.
  4. Knock at the door: Inspired by nursery rhymes and possibly even pop culture like the Freddy Krueger films, this call represents the number 4.
  5. Man alive: A popular bingo call, often linked to a famous 1950s BBC documentary, meaning the number 5.
  6. Tom Mix / Half a dozen: This refers to number 6. It can be linked to the silent film cowboy star Tom Mix, famous for his stunts.
  7. Lucky seven: A number universally considered lucky in gambling circles, representing 7.
  8. Garden gate: This rhyming call for the number 8 is a common one in bingo rooms.
  9. Doctor’s orders: A historical reference to number 9, often associated with a potent remedy.
  10. Prime Minister’s den: This iconic call signifies number 10, referencing prominent addresses.
  11. Legs eleven: With the number 11 visually resembling a pair of legs, this is a very popular and often whistled call in bingo halls.
  12. One Dozen: A straightforward call for the number 12.
  13. Unlucky for some: While 13 is considered unlucky in many Western cultures, it's a common bingo call.
  14. Valentine’s Day: A romantic rhyme for the number 14.
  15. Young and keen: This call represents number 15. Alternatively, "Rugby Team" could be used.
  16. Sweet 16: A significant birthday milestone, denoting the number 16.
  17. Dancing Queen: A lively call for number 17, inspired by the famous ABBA song. Guaranteed to get you grooving!
  18. Coming of age: This phrase, representing number 18, signifies reaching adulthood.
  19. Goodbye teens: The final call before the twenties, this marks number 19.
  20. One score: A score traditionally means 20. This call might reference historical speeches, like Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.
  21. Royal salute / Key of the door: A celebratory call for number 21, often linked to military or royal traditions.
  22. Two little ducks: Completing the pair, this call for number 22 follows "one little duck."
  23. Thee and me: A simple rhyming call for the number 33.
  24. Two dozen.
  25. Duck and dive: This is simple to acquire if the number 2 is represented by a duck and the number 5 follows as a snake. A snake would make a duck dive for cover.
  26. Pick and mix.
  27. Gateway to heaven.
  28. In a state/Overweight.
  29. Rise and shine.
  30. Dirty Gertie: Also Known as Dirty Gertie from Bizerte, this World War II song has endured ages to be played in bingo parlors all around the world.
  31. Get up and run.
  32. Buckle my shoe: This bingo call is an extension of the children's rhyme from number four. Jimmy Choo is a well-known shoe designer.
  33. Dirty knee/All the threes/Fish, chips & peas.
  34. Ask for more: Oliver Twist reference.
  35. Jump and jive.
  36. Three dozen.
  37. More than eleven.
  38. Christmas cake.
  39. 39 steps: The Hitchcock picture The 39 Steps, from 1935, is being seen today.
  40. Life begins: Another bingo call honoring a significant birthday when things start to get wicked.
  41. Time for fun: Life has started.
  42. Winnie the Pooh: This bingo call honors A. A. Milne, the creator of the honey bear fable and enduring favorite of British childhood, Winnie the Pooh.
  43. Down on your knees.
  44. Droopy drawers.
  45. Halfway there.
  46. Up to tricks.
  47. Four and seven.
  48. Four dozen.
  49. PC: This bingo call is in reference to the 1946-53 show centered on the exploits of an unorthodox copper who invented the term "rise and shine." The Adventures of P.C. 49 are still being used as bingo calls years after they originally aired.
  50. Half a century.
  51. Tweak of the thumb: I love my Mum
  52. Danny La Rue: a bingo call that pays homage to the Irish musician known for his passion for cross-dressing, Danny La Rue.
  53. Here comes Herbie/Stuck in a tree.
  54. Clean the floor.
  55. Snakes alive: Linked to the Number Shape: Fifty-Five (and mentioned in 25, duck and dive).
  56. Shotts Bus: Was She Worth It?
  57. Heinz's varieties: Despite having many more recipes, Mr. Heinz chose to stop developing variants of his favorite number, 57, so that Heinz baked beans would only be sold in 57 different cans.
  58. Make them wait.
  59. Brighton Line.
  60. Five dozen.
  61. Baker’s bun.
  62. Turn the screw/Tickety-boo: Often known as tickety-boo in bingo, it is army slang for everything being alright.
  63. Tickle me 63.
  64. Redraw.
  65. Old age pension: This bingo call shows the customary retirement age in the United Kingdom.
  66. Clickety click.
  67. Stairway to heaven.
  68. Saving Grace.
  69. Favorite of mine/either way up: If players look at the numbers from the bottom up, they signify the opposite. This is also referred to as "Meal for Two," and order number 69 on a takeout or restaurant menu designates it as such.
  70. Three scores and ten.
  71. Bang on the drum.
  72. Six dozen.
  73. Queen bee.
  74. Hit the floor.
  75. Strive and strive.
  76. Trombones.
  77. Sunset Strip: This bingo call is based on an American detective series produced by Warner Brothers between 1958 and 1964, which was shown in prime-time on Saturday nights in the UK.
  78. 39 more steps.
  79. One more time.
  80. Eight and blank: This one is straightforward to find, but you can also see it referred to as "Gandhi's Breakfast", since the number 8 is meant to symbolize a cross-legged, sitting Gandhi.
  81. Stop and run.
  82. Straight on through: Related to journeying, but also known as a "fat lady with a duck," which refers to the pictures the numerals may and have portrayed before.
  83. Time for tea.
  84. Seven dozen.
  85. Staying alive: The Bee Gees' 1977 global smash that was featured in the motion picture Saturday Night Fever.
  86. Between the sticks: Goalkeeper lingo used in football.
  87. Torquay in Devon.
  88. Two fat ladies: Two Fat Women Returning to the graphics, the number 88 resembles the curves of two curvaceous women.
  89. Nearly there.
  90. Top of the shop.

These are all the bingo numbers, so players can read them once and get to know about the origin. However, some calls are just simple, so there’s no explanation for them.

Learning Bingo Calls

Bingo calls can be easily learned as players can just learn them online by taking quizzes. Just google “bingo call quiz”, and that’s how players will be able to test their knowledge. If they can’t remember every single one, then by taking quizzes, players will be able to learn them much more effectively.

Bingo Calls Chart

It's simple to use the chart to discover the names of the bingo number calls and their origins; all you have to do is click on the numbered ball you want to learn about, and an Answer Box will appear with the information. Afterward, you can either click anywhere outside the Answer Box to get back to the main chart, or use the next and previous arrows inside the answer box to go through each number call explanation one at a time.

Conclusion

Bingo is one of the most played games worldwide, and bingo cards are used to play this game at top online casinos. Players can also generate online bingo cards with a free bingo card generator, as it is not hard at all. In the article, players will find a huge list of bingo calls that are difficult to memorize, but they can take quizzes to learn them.

FAQ

Do all bingo cards need to have unique combinations?

While each bingo card has a unique combination of numbers, multiple cards can still be winners in the same game. It's all about the luck of the draw!

How many bingo cards do I need to play?

Typically, you'll need at least one entry packet of cards to participate. These packets usually contain between six and twelve cards for each regular game, and sometimes for special games too. The price and contents of these entry packages vary from one bingo hall to another.

Are the numbers on bingo cards truly random?

Yes, the numbers on bingo cards are generated randomly. With so many possible combinations (around 5.5x1026), each card has a unique chance of winning.

Can I generate my own bingo cards?

Absolutely! There are many online bingo card generators available. A popular choice is Canva's bingo card generator, which is free and allows you to create as many cards as you need. Remember to gamble responsibly.

What's the origin of bingo numbers?

Bingo's roots can be traced back to the 1770s in France, where a Frenchman developed a variation of the game. He created cards with numbers 1 through 90 arranged randomly in three rows and nine columns.

How many numbers are used in a game of bingo?

A standard bingo game uses the numbers 1 through 75. The five columns on the card are labeled B, I, N, G, and O from left to right. The center square is usually a free space, marked as such.

How can I generate a random bingo number?

Many online tools offer a "Select a Bingo Ball" feature. Simply click it, and a random number will be displayed. Remember to play responsibly and within your budget.

Are some bingo numbers called more often than others?

Statistically, some studies suggest that the numbers 6 and 4 are called slightly more frequently. Other numbers like 42, 62, 72, 51, 64, 81, 47, and 57 have also been observed to appear more often than average. However, bingo is ultimately a game of chance.

Is there a luckiest number in bingo?

While bingo is primarily a game of chance, some believe that the number 6 is the "luckiest" number, as it appears to be called more often than others. Remember, luck is just one part of the game!

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