Online bingo is an easy game to learn—honestly, in the digital age, you don't need to know anything at all. Just let the balls roll randomly, and your cards will be marked automatically! If you're curious where to begin, there are plenty of bingo games online that make it simple to get started.
But can you actually influence your chances of winning? Is bingo purely a game of luck, or is there some room for strategy?
Well, when it comes to influencing which balls come out, the answer is obvious. But regular bingo players often disagree on whether skill plays a role in winning more often online, so we decided to take a closer look.
Popular Bingo Strategies
Several "bingo strategies"—a term used loosely—have been developed over the years, but their effectiveness is questionable! The Granville Strategy, for example, was created by a mathematician known for successfully predicting financial market movements.
Joseph Granville analyzed the randomness of bingo calls and applied his financial market insights to the game. His idea was to select bingo cards with as much numerical variation as possible, which would theoretically lead to a higher chance of winning. The issue is, we can’t control what numbers are given to us.
Tippett’s Strategy, on the other hand, suggested that the longer a game went on, the more likely the called numbers would trend toward the average. So in a 90-ball game, that number would be 45, and in a 75-ball game, it would be 38.
Again, this isn't especially useful for online bingo, and we should also remember that the longer a game lasts, the more it could cost us—or give someone else a better chance to win.
Practical Tips for Online Bingo
To be honest, THERE IS NO WAY to increase your chances of having your numbers called before others. In reality, any so-called "strategy" for bingo is more about common sense. Since we can't control the balls, try these ideas to give yourself a better shot in the long run:
Choose the Right Time to Play
Early mornings—if you're free—are usually very quiet. If there are fewer players in the room and the prize is fixed, surely you’ve got a better shot at winning that prize?
Makes sense to us!
If there are 50 players in a room and the prize is $400, why take the risk when there are $200 prizes in rooms with fewer than 10 players? Just play the numbers game, not the ball game—the rest is up to the random number generator.
Buy More Tickets
Be sure to stick to your budget (more on that below), but if possible, buying more tickets always helps. Again, this makes perfect sense—we’re playing a numbers game, not a skill game.
Sure, you might get lucky and win with one bingo card, but buying 2, 10, 20, or even 100 can significantly improve your odds.
Spread Out Your Numbers
This isn’t quite Granville’s strategy, but it has some similar logic. Some games with certain operators do let you choose your own numbers, so when you have the chance, spread them out as much as possible.
Don’t be tempted to pick “lucky” numbers or birthdays—just select numbers from across the full range, because over time the computer will draw balls from across that range too.
Play 1TG and 2TG Games
A general rule of thumb is to avoid games that reward only a single winner. Where’s the fun in that? Instead, opt for games with multiple winners, and the best are those offering 1TG (1 To Go) or 2TG (2 To Go) prizes.
That way, when you’re just one or two numbers away from a win, you still get rewarded even if someone else takes the main prize. This naturally increases your chances of winning—especially when combined with something like choosing a quiet room.
Join Chat Games and Claim Bonuses
Of course, always be aware of any wagering requirements, but make sure to claim your bingo bonuses when available. Beyond that, join the chat and play any side games that are offered. These are often free and give you extra chances to win some bonus cash.
Stick to Your Budget
Whether it's daily, weekly, or monthly, sticking to a bingo budget is absolutely crucial. If you win, set that money aside as profit—don’t raise your stake. If you lose your budget, take a break from playing. This really helps you in the long run.