Bingo Glossary

The following definitions will help you understand some of the terms used in our bingo guide:

Bingo – The name of the game / the winning shout

Blackout game – Bingo game where all numbers are covered

Blower – The air pump used to circulate the balls

Cage – Hand operated wire enclosure used to mix up the balls

Caller - The bingo official who draws and calls the number of the balls

Checker – Bingo official who verifies winning tickets

Dob cards – Bingo cards printed on paper that are designed to be discard after use. Also known as thruways or paper specials

Early bird – Games played before the regular session is played

Fingertip card – Plastic or metal bingo card where called numbers can be tracked by closing the appropriate shutter

Free space - The middle square of the bingo card that is automatically counted as a hit for the player

Game board - A large electronic board that displays the numbers that have been called

Hard card – A reusable solid bingo card

Jackpot – The big prize for hitting a special bingo

Late bird – Bingo games played after the regular session

Masterboard – The rack where played bingo balls are placed after being drawn

Pushout card - A bingo card where die-cut circles that can be pushed out by the player as winning numbers are drawn

Sleeper – Player who suddenly realises they had a winning bingo on a previous game

Soft card – Disposable paper cards

Super jackpot – If you are lucky enough to hit one you’ll soon know what it means