Bingo Newbie Tips

If your new to online gambling then you're in the right section.  This section will provide you with terms and definition which will help you understand the other sections like the site reviews.  Terminology isn't explained in the sections since it's written with the assumption that you have basic knowledge of online gambling and terminology.  If you don't reading this section first will be of great help in navigating the other sections of our site.

Introduction

There are hundreds of bingo halls out there but once you have the grasp of online bingo you shouldn't have any problems trying out all the different sites out there.  Online Bingo players are more loyal then Casino and Poker players but the average bingo player lifetime at one site is approximate three months.  Unlike Casino and Poker players, the Bingo player is more interested in the community and meeting new friends or "roomies" (in Online Bingo slang "roomies" are your friends you meet in the Bingo Room chat section). 

If you're already an offline bingo player then you know already know the basics of bingo.  As explained by Wikipedia: Bingo is a game of chance where randomly-selected numbers are drawn and players match those numbers to those appearing on 5x5 matrices which are printed or electronically represented and are known as "cards." The first person to have a card where the drawn numbers form a specified pattern is the winner and calls out "Bingo!" to alert others to the win.  It's the same concept online just that you have the numbers called by a software program.  You still need other players to have any fun that's why it's important that the Online Bingo Hall you choose has a vibrant bingo community. 

Playing Online Bingo

Playing online bingo is simple. The online bingo sites use software that provides players with a bingo hall atmosphere. The graphics and sound effects are astounding. You still get the fun huge light-up boards that will ultimately determine your fate for the evening when the numbers are called.

There are key points to know about online bingo before you are allowed to play. You must be 18 years of age or older and must also have a means to verify their account and banking information. (For pay-out bingo) Some sites may also require proof of age such as a driver’s license.  You have a bingo card or cards (depending on how adventurous you are) and when the caller yells out a letter/number combination you check your card(s) to see if you have it.   If you do, you mark it with your dauber.  You will actually here the numbers being called and you will need to click with your mouse to mark your card.  Your mouse becomes your dauber online.  When you finally get a line or pattern on your card that is for that particular game play, you call out BINGO.  When playing online bingo, bingo cards are selected randomly for the player.  Most sites give you three or four cards at once, but some sites do offer more cards to players.  Each and every online bingo site has a caller or a display board to help you up to date with what combinations have been named.  Online bingo is fast paced compared to bingo hall games, with numbers announced quickly, about 10 seconds apart. Some sites offer auto-daubers, which automatically mark the numbers for you, but also offer manual marking.  The play is continuous until one or more players’ clicks bingo.  Most sites automate this process as well.  Once the bingo is verified, the game is over.  The winner's cards are then checked, a prize is awarded, and a new game begins.  In the case of two or more winners, the prize is split evenly.

Safety Concerns

I have heard from many offline bingo players that they would like to try online bingo but they’re scared.  These are the same fears that prevent people from ordering books from Amazon, purchasing that new dress from Target online or bidding on that rare first edition Beanie Baby on eBay.  In time most take the plunge because we know that the Internet is a wonderful place when we used correctly.  Top-notch companies like Amazon, Target, and eBay are safe bets but even smaller sites can offer wonderful items so you check them out.  You Google them and you ensure that they’re ordering site has the proper encryption (the soothing look of https on your browser and the little lock on your tool bar reassuring you all is well).  Perhaps you visit the wonderful forums out there to seek the opinion of customers.  Once you’re at ease with the site you go for it!  Plus you have a trump card.  The most powerful ally in the retail world your credit card company.  Be it Visa, MasterCard, Discover, whomever they are your stand up person!  By Federal law credit card companies cannot hold you responsible for fraudulent charges exceeding $50.00.  And if you’re a credit card member in good standing your credit card company won’t even hold you responsible for the $50.00 because they know you get about 100 letters from their competitors a day offering you their credit cards!  Therefore you’re protected against the sinister thieves that lurk offline and online. 

Visiting forums and bingo directory sites like here at Bingo-Casino-Poker.com is a great place to start.  We review sites and offer recommendations of where to play.  Beware banner farm type sites who just provide banners for you to click on so they can get a commissions.  Yes we also have banners and our affiliates to these sites you fine here but we do take the time to research these sites and only list them on Bingo-Casino-Poker.com because we've checked them out and we feel comfortable in recommending them to you.  It's a win-win relationship for you the consumer because you're playing safe, for us the affiliate, and the casino. 

Getting Started

Registering to most sites is free and most good sites offer you $5, $10, $20 to try them out for FREE.  It's a simple process.  Check out our banking section regarding how to deposit funds into your account and cashing out your winnings.

The Rules

Know the rules!  Every online bingo sites has very detailed rules about playing on their site.  At all sites you will have to be at least 18-years old to play.  All bingo sites offer first deposit and reload bonuses but there are wagering rules you need to learn before you deposit.  The rules will vary but the play through concept will be the same at all sites.  The concept of play through is simple once you draw it out. For example if a site has a play through rate of 12 based on the initial deposit and any bonuses awarded after making the initial deposit.  So let’s say you make a deposit of $50.00. You then start playing blackjack and you get hot and you win $50, so now you’re up $100! Plus the site is awarding you bonuses for playing so you have $50 in bonus money. Now you’re ready to cash out with your $150 winnings.  Well, not so fast. Have you met your play through requirement you need in order to cash out? At a play through rate of 12 you would need to have played through (hence the name) $1,200 BEFORE your request for a withdrawal is accepted. On most sites the play through rate is your DEPOSIT + BONUS X 12 = PLAY-THRU RATE. So in my example $50 (your initial deposit) + $50 (free bonus given to you by the site) X 12 (the play thru rate) = $1,200 (your play thru rate).   Here at Bingo-Casino-Poker.com we list the play through rate of each site in our directory.  Most bingo sites won't let you cash out bonus money only what's known as "real" money which means them money you deposited.  You will also see sites where you must play a percent of your deposit before you can cash out (usually around 95%).

Check out the areas of the site such as “banking”, “withdrawal”, “FAQ”, “rules”, etc. where you will find their polices.  You should check out those sections of the site BEFORE you deposit.  All the reputable sites offer customer service via IM, email, even a toll free number and some even on a 24/7 bases so ask if you’re confused.  If you're at a site that doesn't have their rules spelled out leave that site and do not deposit!  They're many reputable bingo sites out there so don't get ripped off!  Check out our directory of sites.  There are enough sites listed to keep you playing and having fun for months.  Our directory is ever-growing so check back often.

Other Newbie Links

Bingo Terminology

Caller Slang

Bingo from Wikipedia