UK Bingo Game Types - Snowballs, Jackpots And More - Part 1

The average night of Bingo at your local club can present a number of different game types during the evening. If you're new to the game, this little guide is an overview to some of the game related styles you could face during the night.

Author: David Lloyd

Bingo Sessions And Intervals

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A Bingo Book If you're new to Bingo, then it's important to understand sessions and intervals as the structure to the night and the games. Arriving at the club can be bewildering enough, without the added panic of not knowing what sessions are.

Basically, the evening will be split up into sessions and intervals. The main stage Bingo is played in the sessions, the party and prize bingo is played in the intervals. Your average evening will consist of 3 or 4 sessions depending on your club and time of arrival. A session is a block of games where the club sits to play the main big money Bingo.

Teaser And Early Session

A typical night might see a 'teaser' session around 18:00 which is jut 3 or 4 games which would finish very quickly, not all clubs do a teaser though. Around 18:45 there's another short session, generally called The Early Session. This is typically around 5 or 6 games. Both these short sessions are optional. You could arrive after them or during them. You don't have to play them if you don't wish, but note, you will need to remain quiet whilst others do.

The Main Session

The main event of the night is unsurprisingly called The Main Session. This will start around 19:30ish and consist of anywhere between 12 and 20 games. Some clubs will have an interval midway through the main session, some don't - ask someone if you're not sure. Everyone plays the main session (you can opt-out, but that defeats the point of playing!) and there will be both a main book and a collection of various flyers, more on which later. The main session generally takes around an hour to play, and is followed by the final interval of the evening.

The Late Session

Often many members will leave after the main session, and you're welcome to do so if you wish. The evening of Bingo ends with The Late Session, which is generally 5 or 6 games with the remaining players at the club - and starts around 21:00. Once again, this is one of the optional sessions. Some clubs will play more party and prize Bingo after the late session, but generally that's you're Bingo for the night.

Party And Prize Bingo

Party Bingo Board - The Interval Bingo Game During the intervals, people mill about the club, hit the bar, play the bandits or chat. Many will play the Party and Prize Bingo games in the interval (also know as 4 Square Bingo). You'll notice some stand alone Bingo boards with set numbers and sliding doors - this is the interval Bingo game.

Unlike the main stage game, you can talk whilst the numbers are being called. Depending on whether it's called Party, Prize or Four Square, the interval games are played more like the American version of the game with patterns and free squares. The games will either be played for cash (Party Bingo) or prize vouchers and goodies (Prize Bingo).

You put your money in the appropriate slot for each game you want to play, and always have the same set of numbers each game. This is how many of the regulars manage to keep up with the games. If your new to it, be prepared, those numbers fly past!

Continue to Part 2: Individual Games And Tickets >>

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