Online Bingo Calls Guide
All of our online bingo players who are regulars in our 90 ball, 75 ball or Speed Bingo rooms will have heard the dulcet tones of a bingo announcer saying some well-known phrases that are associated with many of the numbers that are called.
If you’re new to the world of online bingo, or making the trip to one of our rooms after browsing through our collection of online slots, then you may be slightly confused about the sayings you’re most likely to hear when marking your bingo card, or in the case of Crown Bingo as it’s being automatically marked for you.
Before we dive headfirst into our complete list of calls, we thought we’d offer some insight as to where many of these calls originate. Many come from East London, where rhymes were often used by people to communicate with one another. But as the game of bingo became even more widespread, some of the calls began to take on regional connotations, with others also referencing popular culture.
Rhyming Bingo Calls
There are a total of 90 bingo numbers which players may hear when playing a game of online bingo, and we’ve listed some of the most well-known calls based on rhymes below, to give all our 90 ball bingo a helping hand.
17 - Dancing Queen
For those Abba fans among our players of 75 ball or Speed Bingo then the meaning behind linking the number 17 to their hit song should be self-explanatory. But for those players who’ve failed to make the connection, have a listen to the song and pay close attention when the chorus kicks in, as you’ll hear the line ‘You are the Dancing Queen, young and sweet, only 17’.
52 - Danny La Rue
Another popular culture reference that can be heard in bingo halls relates to the 1960s comic and Irish singer Danny La Rue. Known for his cross-dressing act within the theatre and across television, this call can also be used for some other numbers ending in the number 2.
Bingo Calls Based on the Shape of the Numbers
Although there are many calls which take their connotations from rhyming, some take their name from the shape of the numbers in question. More commonly seen if the numbers are doubles such as 33 or 77, there are some which are more well-known than others.
11 - Legs Eleven
Surely this call should be self-explanatory whether a player is familiar with the game of bingo or a complete novice. The number 11 is often accompanied by the phrase “legs 11” due to the fact the number looks like a pair of legs.
22 - Two Little Ducks
Often called with a rendition of “Quack Quack” to accompany the call, this number is so-called because the numbers have a similar shape to ducks.
88 - Two Fat Ladies
Probably one of the most common bingo calls that most people will have heard, regardless of whether they’re familiar with the game of online bingo or not, this call is based on the shape of the two numbers. We don't think there is a need for a further explanation.
Historical Bingo Calls
1 - Kelly's Eye
Are you familiar with your Australian history, Crown Bingo players? Well, this bingo call comes from the name of a 19th Century outlaw and gang leader Ned Kelly, who managed to avoid capture for two years and is most well-known for wearing bulletproof armour in his final meeting with police before his death in 1880.
10 - Boris’ Den
While most bingo players will be familiar with this rhyme, they’ll also know that depending on who is the current prime minister of the UK the call will change accordingly. Previously known as Cameron’s Den and Maggie’s Den in the 1980s, it will change following the election of a new leader.
76 - Trombones
Do you know ‘The Music Man’ online bingo players? And we’re not talking about the song that rose to fame in the 1980s, as this call actually refers to the 1972 movie of the same name. A musical film, the most well-known song features the lyrics “76 trombones in the big parade”! Don’t believe us - then watch the movie for yourself.
Other Classic Bingo Calls
Alongside the numbers which take calls from famous movies, their shape, or moments in history, some numbers already have meaning associated with them. Many of our online bingo players will probably already be familiar with most of them, but we’ve listed some of the most common just to be sure.
13 - Unlucky for Some
Often considered unlucky in the world of online bingo due to the connotations associated with the number itself, 13 is often followed by the phrase “unlucky for some” if it comes into play during a game of online bingo. There are many reasons it’s been given negative press including references to The Last Supper and Friday the 13th being an unlucky day.
65 - Old Age Pension
Commonly in the UK, this represents the age when many people retire and can start collecting their pension.
Royal Review of Bingo Calls
Well there we have it folks, we could go on and on in our explanation of bingo calls, listing those which go alongside every number from 1-90 but hopefully these few quirky calls above will help you get used to the format, if you’re new to online bingo.
Remember, as well as our collection of online bingo games, we have a huge collection for online casino slots for all our players to enjoy including Centurion slot where players can take a look at the Colosseum in Ancient Rome or Rainbow Riches where the Emerald Isle is your destination.
Complete List of Bingo Calls
- Kelly’s Eye
- One Little Duck
- Cup of Tea
- Knock on the Door
- Man Alive
- Tom Mix
- Lucky Seven
- Garden Gate
- Doctor’s Orders
- Maggies Den (or the current prime minister of the UK)
- Legs 11
- One Dozen
- Unlucky for Some
- Valentine’s Day
- Young and Keen
- Sweet 16
- Dancing Queen
- Coming of Age
- Goodbye Teens
- One Score
- Royal Salute
- Two Little Ducks
- Thee and Me
- Two Dozen
- Duck and Dive
- Pick and Mix
- Stairway to Heaven
- Overweight
- Rise and Shine
- Dirty Gertie
- Get Up and Run
- Buckle My Shoe
- Dirty Knee
- Ask for More
- Jump and Jive
- Three Dozen
- More Than 11
- Christmas Cake
- Steps
- Naughty 40
- Time for Fun
- Winnie the Pooh
- Down your Knees
- Droopy Draws
- Halfway There
- Up to Tricks
- Four and Seven
- Four Dozen
- PC
- Half a Century
- Tweak of the Thumb 52 . Danny La Rue
- Stuck in a Tree
- Clean the Floor
- Snakes Alive
- Was She Worth It?
- Heinz Varieties
- Make Them Wait
- Brighton Line
- Five Dozen
- Bakers Bun
- Turn the Screw
- Tickle Me
- Red Raw
- Old Age Pension
- Clickety Click
- Made in Heaven
- Saving Grace
- Either Way Up
- Three Score and 10
- Bang on the Drum
- Six Dozen
- Queen B
- Candy Store
- Strive and Strive
- Trombones
- Sunset Strip
- Heaven’s Gate
- One More Time
- Eight and Blank
- Stop and Run
- Straight on Through
- Time for Tea
- Seven Dozen
- Staying Alive
- Between the Sticks
- Torquay in Devon
- Two Fat Ladies
- Nearly There
- Top of the Shop