The bingo world has changed dramatically over the last few decades. Since the game’s inception, only one major change took place between the 18th and 20th centuries. Even though it was still evolving over the centuries, the major shift occurred when it reached North America and Edward S. Lowe in the 1930s.

Wanting a way to formalise the game, Lowe enlisted the help of a maths professor. From there, 75-ball bingo started to take shape. At a similar point in time, a 90-ball variant was making waves across the Atlantic. As European players enjoyed one type of bingo and Americans another, things gradually merged.

By the 1960s, both 75-ball and 90-ball bingo were played around the world. This dynamic largely remained in place until the internet came. Although there had been attempts to bring new twists to the mix before that, it wasn’t until online bingo reinvigorated the industry that new games truly took hold.

Today, thanks to a combination of innovation and demand, developers have had to put new spins on the game. For you as a player, that’s fantastic news as it means the top online bingo sites now feature much more than “the classics”. In the rest of this guide, we’ll run through the main types of online bingo games and how they can enhance your overall experience.

The Classics

This is where you’ll find traditional variants such as 75-ball and 90-ball bingo. In terms of the former, the game is played on a 5X5 grid and the letters B I N G O are written above each column. Another defining feature of 75-ball online bingo games is that the central square is blank. The aim is to complete a line (vertically, horizontally or diagonally).

In the bingo world, 90-ball is considered the original format. Unsurprisingly, the numbers run from 1 to 90 and a standard game card features 27 squares and 15 numbers. To win, players need to complete a line, two lines or full house (i.e. all 15 numbers).

The Speed Era

As the demographics of bingo have changed, so too have certain playing preferences. In recent years, speed has become a key component of the game. Indeed, with the internet essentially speeding up everything, bingo developers have embraced the change. Today, our selection of online bingo games includes speed variants.

In general, the aim of each game is the same. After someone completes a line, a prize is awarded. From there, a predefined pattern or a completed card will win the final prize. However, the reason these games typically take less time is because they contain fewer balls. Indeed, the average 30-ball bingo games can be over in less than three minutes simply because the number of potential picks is greatly reduced.

The Innovative

Perhaps the greatest contribution the internet has made to bingo is creativity. As well as bingo promotions providing new ways for players to make money, developers have found ways to add something extra to their products. Arguably the standout inventions of recent times are progressive jackpots. Borrowing a dynamic from the slots world, jackpot bingo games allow you to compete for ever-increasing prizepools.

Although each jackpot bingo room will have its own rules, the main way you can win one of these payouts is to mark your card in the fewest calls possible. Put simply, if you complete a pattern/achieve a full house in a set number of calls or fewer, you’ll scoop the progressive jackpot. Anything above the limit and you’ll simply win the standard payouts.

Alongside jackpot offerings, our online bingo games also include novel options such as 52-ball NS Hi 5 (five-line bingo) . The latter aligns with our bingo promotions and gives you the chance to play for real-money prizes when you complete certain tasks (e.g. make a deposit, earn loyalty points etc).

The Others

In tandem with online bingo games, you’ll also find a healthy selection of slots here at Wink. These games can be played as an alternative to bingo or, something we love, as an addition. By using screen-in-screen technology, our bingo slots can run alongside other games. Therefore, you can load up one of our bingo rooms and spin the reels of Pets Go Wild et al while you wait for the next call.

Whichever way you slice it; online bingo now offers a complete gaming experience for players of all persuasions. Regardless of your tastes, budget or the time you’ve got spare, there’s an option to suit. To complement this dynamic, our bingo promotions are also varied. Designed to cover all variants and bankrolls, these offers are not only an ideal way to get more value but improve your overall experience. So, if you’re looking to enjoy bingo to its fullest, make sure you create your first account with us and start playing today!