If you have been playing in online casinos over the last few years then you may have noticed a rise in the numbers of ‘live casinos’. These offer an approximation of the real casino experience by offering games in real time, with a real life caller or dealer running the games. With the advances in technology recently, it is now possible for punters to experience all the thrills of a live casino from the comfort of their home.
If you’re an online bingo fan, though, you’ll have already been experiencing a taste of what this experience is like. While playing bingo online, punters are engaging in real time with the game, much like players at a live casino. Increasingly too, many more traditional bingo venues, such as clubs and even pubs, are offering people the chance to play bingo live online with a real caller reading out the numbers.
Want to know how to play bingo live? We’ll tell you all about it next!
How to Play Online Bingo
Bingo is a very simple game, whether you are playing online or in a bingo hall. To start a game, you need to purchase a ticket, which is sometimes referred to as a card. On this card there will be a grid of numbers. As the game progresses, numbers are called out and you need to cross them off the card. If you are playing online then this process is handled automatically. If you’re playing a bingo live game in a real life venue, though, you need to pay close attention to the caller and cross the numbers off yourself.
You can win a game of bingo by crossing off all the numbers on one line of your card, or by achieving a ‘full house’ and crossing off all the numbers on the card. The prizes that you can win vary according to whether you have crossed off lines or have managed to get a full house. It really is as simple as that. Bingo is not a complicated game to play, like poker, and you do not require the detailed knowledge of sports you would need for successful online betting. That’s the beauty of bingo.
There are different types of bingo that you can play, but they all stick the same basic template. The simplicity and accessibility of bingo is a major reason behind its enduring popularity, both online and in real life bingo halls. The different types of game are usually labelled with the number of balls that they use. So you will see 90-ball bingo or 75-ball bingo on the site that you use. Many sites also offer variants that use fewer balls than that.
There are some differences between playing a bingo live game in a real life venue and playing online. Those differences are largely superficial, at least in terms of game rules, but there are some differences of which you need to be aware. We’ll look at those next.
Offline Bingo versus Online Bingo
So what are the main differences between playing a game in a bingo hall with a live caller and playing bingo online? We’ll answer that question for you now.
The main difference between online bingo and live bingo in a real life venue is the caller. During a game of real life bingo, the caller will actually pick up the balls as they come out of the bingo machine, and read the numbers on them. The players in the hall must listen attentively and cross off the numbers on their cards accurately if they want to win. This creates an atmosphere of tense, though fun, excitement.
Playing bingo in a real life venue is usually more expensive than playing online too. A ticket might cost as much as £5 in a bingo hall while a typical price for an online ticket is £1. When you combine that price reduction with the convenience of being able to play from the comfort of your own home then it is clear why the popularity of online bingo is soaring.
So, now you know about how to play bingo and some of the differences between online bingo and playing a bingo live game in a real venue. Now it’s time to give you some tips on how to find the best possible online bingo site.
5 Tips for Finding a Good Online Bingo Site
Here are some things to watch for when choosing a bingo site. If you follow these tips then your selection should be a good one.
- Does the site have a good reputation?:
Always make sure that the site is well-established and has a licence from the UK Gambling Commission, as this guarantees standards of fairness and security. You can also check social media and gambling sites for reviews and comments that should give you a good idea of the site’s overall reputation with customers. You should also check out our bingo reviews here at Betting.co.uk.
- Is there a good social scene?:
One of the real plus points about playing bingo live online is the way that the players can socialise with each other using the site’s chat function. This is one of the most appealing features of online bingo, with many people making new friends thanks to their love of the game. Always make sure that there is a thriving social scene at a bingo site before you sign up.
- What is the welcome bonus like?:
Everyone likes a gift or two, especially if it’s some bonus games or a nice chunk of bonus credit. If a
bingo deposit bonus
is generous then it certainly makes a bingo site more appealing. You do need to remember when checking the
best online casino welcome offers, though, that gambling operators like bingo sites rarely give anything away for free. So always check the terms and conditions of an offer carefully, especially when it comes to wagering requirements. If you’re wondering what wagering requirements are then read our article on bingo bonuses and you should get a clear idea of what we mean.
- Is there a wide variety of bingo games?:
A bingo site should offer more than just one or two types of bingo. The best sites provide players with the chance to sample different varieties of bingo, whether 90-ball, 75-ball or any other variant of the game. Some sites also offer other subtle variations that may be branded by a TV show or similar. Don’t get stuck in a rut with your bingo – it can be fun to sample the different kinds on offer.
- Are there any additional extras, like a casino?:
Everyone likes a bit of variety in life and playing games other than bingo can sometimes make for an entertaining change. When browsing through bingo sites always look to see whether you can play other games, such as keno, or whether or not there is a casino section to the site offering slots and other games. This kind of variety will always make a bingo site more appealing.
If you want Betting.co.uk to make you a recommendation for a good bingo site, then we’ll oblige. In fact, we’ll offer you two recommendations. Here at Betting.co.uk we like Sun Bingo and William Hill bingo. Both of these sites offer great variety, a thriving social scene and great customer service. You can also pick up some great bonus offers from them. If you’re looking for top entertainment as you play bingo live online then both of those sites deliver.
Shaping a Successful Bingo Live Game Strategy
While playing a bingo live game does mean that you are at the mercy of chance, there are certain things that you can do to improve your chances of success. Most online bingo games are controlled by random number generators. In a live bingo environment where the balls are selected by a caller, that randomness is still present. You need to know that fortune and luck will always play a part in playing bingo. Having said, you can move the odds slightly into your favour if you follow these tips.
Play at quieter times of day
If you’re playing bingo online then you have the option of playing the game at times of day when fewer people are online. Fewer people in a game can improve your chances of winning as there are not as many competitors. The prizes may well be somewhat smaller in quieter games, but your chances of winning are slightly better.
Buying more than one ticket
Buying one ticket for a game is fine for some fun, but if you are serious about taking home some prizes it is a good idea to buy more than one for each game. Obviously, having more than one ticket in play increases the amount of numbers available to you, and means that you can potentially cross off more lines. It is not an infallible way of ensuring success but it certainly boosts your chances.
Talking to other players
Other players can also be a source of good tips and hints. The great thing about good online bingo sites is that they will have a lively social scene that makes it easy for players to share hints and other advice about strategy. There will often be quirks on a site that an experienced player might be able to spot. It is a good idea to throw yourself into the social side of things if you want to fine-tune your strategy.
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How to Stay Safe When Playing Bingo Live Online
Security is a really important consideration when you are enjoying any kind of online gambling, and the same is true for
bingo online UK. You should always make a point of checking the security credentials of any bingo site that are you are thinking about using. Always make sure that their transactions are protected using SSL encryption or similar. If you have any doubts about the security of a bingo site, it is a good idea to contact their customer service team for clarification.
Another important thing to always remember about playing bingo, whether online or in a bingo hall, is that it is a form of gambling. Gambling can be addictive. It is really important to remember too that gambling should be entertainment, and not a means of making a living, solving financial problems or paying off debts. If you become frustrated or angry when playing bingo live online then it is time to stop.
A good bingo site will always have links to organisations such as Gamblers Anonymous who can provide you with advice if you suspect that your gambling is becoming a problem. There should also be the facility on the site for you to set limits that can help you control your finances and the time that you spend gambling. It is really important that bingo is fun and does not add stress to your life.
Conclusion
Playing bingo live online can be a really entertaining and fun way to pass the time. We hope that now you have read this article you’ve got a good idea of the rules of the game, as well as the differences between online bingo and its real-life equivalent. You should also have a pretty good idea about how you can improve your chances of winning when playing, and how to find the best possible bingo site for you. We hope we’ve helped fill in a few details about online live bingo for you.
But our advice doesn’t end there! We have a wide selection of bingo articles here at Betting.co.uk that you can use to improve your bingo strategy or to help you find
bingo online for free
or even the
best bingo app UK. If you’re a fan of playing bingo online then make sure that you bookmark Betting.co.uk and we look forward to seeing you come back here again and again!
