Bingo Lingo: Definitions of Terms Heard at a Bingo Hall

Going to a bingo hall is a fun way to spend an evening. If you haven't thought about it lately, consider these reasons to go:
Playing bingo costs about the same as going to a movie ($10 each), but with bingo you actually have the chance of winning money!

The refreshments at the bingo hall are a lot cheaper than at the movie theater.

Most bingo halls allow children 10 and older to play.

If you have older kids, bingo makes a great family night!

Like all recreational activities, bingo has it's own set of terminology. Before you go to a bingo hall, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with "bingo lingo." Here are definitions of commonly heard phrases at a Bingo Hall:

3-on. 3-on means that there are three sets of bingo numbers on one paper. Admission is usually 3-on.

15-on. 15-on means that there are fifteen sets of bingo numbers on one piece of paper. There are also 9-on and 12-ons, but it's most common to see either 3-on or 15-on.

Admission. Admission is the minimum amount that you must pay to sit at a table in the bingo hall. Admission does not include split-pots, splits, or specials; and is typically a 3-on. You'll have the option to purchase more.

Ball. The bingo numbers are each printed on a ball. The balls are drawn, then "called".

Big board. The big board shows you which numbers have been called. It also tells you how many balls have been called and has a picture of what a good bingo looks like.

Bingo. When a player wins the game, the player shouts, "Bingo!" and play is ceased.

Called. When a bingo number is announced, it's been called. For example, "Did she call B14?"

Caller. The caller is the person who announces the numbers that are drawn. The caller will also explain the rules at the beginning of the session and read the disclaimers.

Dauber. The special marker that makes a round mark is called a dauber. You don't need one to play bingo, but it makes it a lot easier. They can be purchased at the bingo hall for under a dollar.

Good bingo. When a bingo is verified the caller announces, "That's a good bingo." Conversely, if a player is mistaken, the caller announces, "That's not a good bingo."

In the monitor. The monitors are TV screens positioned throughout the bingo hall. As soon as a ball is drawn, it appears in the monitor. You may play ahead by marking that number, even though it hasn't been called. If the number in the monitor will give you a bingo, you must wait until it's called before yelling, "Bingo!"

Regular bingo. Regular bingo is five in a row. Most games of bingo aren't regular bingo. Examples of variations are: postage stamp, full board, round robin, little junior, nine pack, lucky 7, the letter P, jail house, layer cake, and Indian star, to name a few. Each bingo hall has their own favorites, and will have pictures that explain each variation.

Specials. Specials are not included in admission. People will walk around the tables calling out, "Specials!" to indicate that they're selling them. Specials are usually split-pots, but can also be a warm-up game with a set prize amount. Specials can also be purchased at the door.

Split-pots (or splits). Split-pots (or splits) are not included in the price of admission. Typically, 75% of the money raised on the sale of split-pots is paid out and 25% is kept for the organization. Splits can be purchased at the door or from someone selling them at the tables.

Waiting. A person who is waiting needs only one number to win. If someone needs only one number, and five numbers are called in the meanwhile, she'll say, "I 'waited' for five numbers," even though she needed one, not five, numbers to win.