There is one phrase that every player associates with bingo, that being someone shouting out ‘Full House’! Whether this be in a busy bingo hall or on an online site, achieving a Full House is usually the conclusion of a game in most formats.
A Full house in bingo means you have marked off every number on your bingo card. It is the most complete winning pattern available in standard bingo games, and once all the required numbers have been formed, you can claim the Full House prize. This pattern tends to have the biggest prize pool in the game compared to standard lines or other patterns.
In a physical game of bingo, you would usually call out ‘Bingo’ to claim you have completed your card. If it is an online game, however, the game system usually detects the Full House automatically and proceeds to flash a message on your screen should this occur.
What counts as all the numbers being called depends on the format of bingo being played. There are many popular versions of the game in which this rule differs, all of which are worth understanding if addressing the question of what a Full House in bingo is.
Achieving a Full House in 90-ball bingo
90-ball card layout recap: Beginning with 90-ball bingo, this is the most popular format across the UK and Europe. Each bingo card in this variant includes three rows and 9 columns, creating a 3x9 grid. However, across this, only 15 random numbers appear on each ticket, with 5 numbers being in each row and the rest of the four spaces being left blank.
How to get a full house in 90-ball
In 90-ball bingo, a Full House means that you have marked all 15 numbers on your card. The game itself usually has three stages, which are progressed through. The first player to mark any full horizontal row of 5 numbers claims the One Line prize. The first player to mark two full rows of 5 on the same card claims the Two Lines prize. The first player to mark all 15 numbers from a single bingo card wins the Full House prize in play.
Achieving a Full House in 75-ball bingo
75-ball card layout recap: When it comes to 75-ball bingo, this tends to be the most common version played in the US and Canada. This uses a 5x5 grid which contains 24 numbers and a centre square that is usually marked as ‘FREE’. The latter is automatically considered filled and could potentially help form lines.
How to get a full house in 75-ball
To potentially achieve a Full House in 75-ball bingo, players need to mark all the 24 numbered spaces on their card. The ‘FREE’ space automatically contributes to this, essentially filling out this section. This version of a Full House is sometimes referred to as a ‘coverall’ since players cover the entire grid.
Unlike 90-ball bingo, where a Full House comes after line-based wins, 75-ball bingo often features a single pattern-based prize. It is worth comparing these two different rule sets when addressing what is a full house in bingo.
Why the full house is the big prize
It is important to understand why it is often the largest valued prize in this game. No matter if you are marking off 15 numbers in 90-ball bingo or all 24 in the 75-ball variant, reaching a full house tends to take more time and requires more luck than any other type of pattern.
In multi-level games like 90-ball bingo, the Full House is the final stage of the round, with players waiting for that last number to potentially call ‘Bingo’. Because this is the most difficult to achieve, the Full House typically offers the highest value prize, whether that be a jackpot or a share of a larger prize pool.
What to do when you hit a full house
If you meet the specified criteria for a full house, calling this differs from physical games to digital ones.
If playing in a live bingo hall, and you manage to complete your card, players should shout ‘Bingo’ loud and clear for the caller or any staff to hear. This will see the game temporarily be paused whilst a runner comes to verify your card. Once all numbers have been confirmed, players could be awarded their prize. However, it's worth noting that timing matters, as if another player calls out at the same time, they could see the prize pool shared or split.
In online games, on the other hand, the process is done automatically. The system will detect a Full House immediately once the numbers have been marked off, and a message such as ‘Full House’ will appear on screen. Following this, any prize will automatically be credited to your account. It is thanks to this automated process that online bingo is especially popular due to its faster-paced gameplay and overall accessibility.
FAQs
What exactly does "Full House" mean in bingo?
In bingo, a "Full House" means that you have successfully marked off every possible number on your bingo card. It is typically the highest winning pattern in a game.
How many numbers do I need to mark for a Full House in 90-ball bingo?
In 90-ball bingo, a Full House means you have marked off all 15 numbers on your 3x9 bingo card.
How many numbers do I need to mark for a Full House in 75-ball bingo?
In 75-ball bingo, a Full House means you have marked off all 24 numbered squares on your 5x5 card. The central "FREE" space is typically pre-marked and counts towards your full card.
Is a Full House always the biggest prize in bingo?
Yes, in most standard bingo games, the Full House is awarded the largest prize or jackpot because it is the most difficult winning pattern to achieve, requiring more numbers to be called than any other win.
What should I do if I get a Full House in online bingo?
In online bingo, the system usually detects your win automatically. You'll often see a notification flash on your screen (e.g., "FULL HOUSE!" or "BINGO!") and your winnings will be credited to your account without you needing to shout or click anything.
