Search

Home / Bingo / Patterns

Bingo Patterns

16 patternsFree printable chart

Announce the pattern before each round to keep bingo fresh. Here are 16 popular winning patterns, from a quick straight line to a full blackout, plus a one-page chart to print and hold up for the players.

Download the pattern chart (PDF)
Any lineFive in a row across, down or corner to corner.
Four cornersJust the four corner squares.
Letter XBoth diagonals, crossing at the free square.
Plus signThe middle row and middle column.
Picture frameEvery square around the outside edge.
Small frameThe eight squares around the free space.
Postage stampA 2 × 2 block in any corner.
Letter TThe top row and the middle column.
Letter LThe left column and the bottom row.
Letter HBoth outside columns and the middle row.
DiamondA diamond around the free square.
Two linesAny two complete lines.
Six packA block two columns wide and three rows tall.
ArrowAn arrow pointing to the top right corner.
KiteA postage stamp plus a diagonal tail.
BlackoutCover every square on the card.

Tips for callers

Start with a single line for a fast first round, then move to shapes such as four corners, an X or a picture frame. Save the blackout, where every square is covered, for the last game: it takes the longest and builds the most suspense. The free center square counts as covered in every pattern that uses it.

If you are playing with a big group, two winners at once happen often with short patterns. Have small extra prizes ready, or let tied players draw one more number or word to break the tie.

Questions

Does the free space count?

Yes, the center square is treated as already covered, so patterns through the middle (a line, an X or a plus sign) need one fewer call.

Which pattern takes the longest?

Blackout, where every square must be covered. With 75 numbers it usually takes 50 or more calls.

Printable bingo cards