There are many different ways an online bingo game can shape up. Depending on which bingo site you play with, there are choices of 75, 80 and 90 ball games. Each of the 75, 80 and 90 ball games offer players a different experience entirely; here we look at what each type of game involves.

75-ball bingo

75-ball bingo is the most popular version of bingo across the Atlantic, with shorter games and different patterns to follow in every game. Each card in the 75-ball game is divided into 5 columns where each column represents a letter in the word 'bingo'.
 
Patterns played can be as diverse as a simple row, a diagonal shape to follow or simply four corners to black out. Patterns work their way right through the card ultimately to a “coverall”, where players have to daub every number on their card to win. Each pattern is determined at the beginning of play, and players can either follow the shape or call bingo within the stated 'balls to bingo' number.

80-ball bingo

80-ball bingo is the perfect compromise between the two popular games of 75 and 90-ball bingo. Neither too short or too long, 80-ball bingo has been traditionally played in live bingo halls on plastic shutter boards.  Each of these shutter boards is divided into 16 squares. Squares of 4 across and 4 down are divided into coloured columns with a 'free' square in the middle of each board. This game is currently not as widely available in the world of Internet bingo as it is in bingo halls. You can, however, find choices of sites that do offer this new to online bingo game by visiting one of the many bingo portals available such as Bingo Hideout and searching out 80-ball games.

90-ball bingo

90-ball bingo has its roots in live bingo play and remains today the most popular choice of bingo game in the UK. As a result, online bingo sites offer up a huge range of choice when it comes to this game, with the most competitive jackpots and prizes usually found on larger online bingo sites such as Mecca or Foxy in the 90-Ball games.

90-ball bingo is popular due to the longer length of the game. There are three chances to win in every game, meaning that the game stays interesting throughout play, no matter which lines have already been called. Each individual game is also long enough for any newbies in play to get to grips with the rules, making it a more accessible version of play.

Cards bought for 90-ball games consist of 9 columns and 3 lines, and players can win across a Single Line Across, Two Lines and a Full House. Players are not limited as to how many cards they can buy, thus increasing their chances of winning. Prize sizes increase as players cover more numbers on the card – however - if more than one player bingos at the same time it is commonplace for the prize to be shared.

Online bingo has become immensely popular since its launch, and with more and more people joining in the fun all the time, let's take a closer look at the benefits of playing online.

Taking up any Sign Up bonuses offered is an excellent way to get to know any UK online bingo site if you haven't played there before or if you’re totally new to the game, with most offering free money or cards to get you started. Whereas live gaming might offer free play once in a while or as part of a “buy one get one free” offer, bingo sites welcome new members into the fold with huge bonuses and with huge enthusiasm so that any newbie can find their way around and start enjoying the game straight away.

In fact, Internet bingo is all about playing your favourite game in a friendly, community style atmosphere. Playing bingo online differs from playing live in as much as chat is positively promoted among players and is an integral part of the game. Live chat is used as a tool to play games within games for extra bonuses as well as ongoing tourneys. It also functions as a superb way to get to know those around you. Bingo chat differs from site to site with phrases specific to each as with bingo calls, but there are plenty of pages dedicated to deciphering the most popular of these so you need not be intimidated by the use of unfamiliar acronyms or phrases.

One of the massive appeals of online bingo is the huge jackpots you can regularly play for from the comfort of your own home. Depending on which site you choose to sign up with these can range from smaller guaranteed jackpots to ever increasing progressive jackpots to play for.

Larger Internet Bingo names such as Mecca also set up huge monthly promotions to keep players interested in play. These tourneys are designed for regular players and often come with the largest payouts. Join in with the race during your sites next monthly promotion and you can be in the running for prizes, bonus points or cash prizes that outstrip daily play.

Most sites will also reward players for submitting a player profile for their gallery as this serves to further promote the sense of community throughout the site. Player profiles are a useful way of getting to know a site before registering. Prospective members will always look at the type of person already on board to get a sense of whether this site is for the right crowd for them. Internet sites know this and recognise that the more people who have a profile the more effective their number retention will be. Submit your profile once you have signed up and you'll be amazed at how many roomies recognise you and how friendly they'll be toward you just by simply being able to put a face to the name.