Most sites offer a free play where if you register, your account will be typically credited with £5 to play any Bingo game. There is also a facility called sandbox play. This enables the player to enjoy the bingo game and get the hang of the system without a cash investment, but obviously any winnings will not be gained.

Some sites require players to download free software to play their games. Other sites use Java or Flash based games that allow you to play immediately once you have registered and set up your account.

There are many types of online bingo game variations. When playing bingo online, most sites use a feature called auto-daub, this automatically marks off the numbers on the cards for you. There are games where you have to tick off the numbers yourself and there is normally around a 10 second delay between numbers.

Traditional bingo is normally played with 90 balls. Each card has three horizontal lines and nine columns. Each line contains five numbers, meaning each card has 15 numbers. The first column contains numbers from 1-9, the second column contains numbers from 10-19, the third column contains numbers from 20-29, all the way through to the final column which contains numbers from 80-90. In 90 Ball bingo you have 3 chances to win, when you complete line 1, line 2 or the full house. A "Full House" means all the numbers marked off on one card (all 15 numbers). The prize differs for each stage of the game. The Full House is always the largest prize in any one game.

There is also 75 ball bingo. Each card has 25 numbers set out in 5 rows and 5 columns. The numbers normally correspond to the letters B I N G O with the B row having a column of numbers from 1-15, the I row, 16-30, the N row, 31-45, the G row, 46-60 and the O row, 61-75. A different pattern for each bingo game is displayed, and in order to win the jackpot you must complete the game pattern on the card. Speed Bingo is a variation played exactly the same, but the numbers are simply called much faster.

There is also chat functionality. This is great as it gives players a chance to interact which also forms a sense of community. This brings a different dimension to gaming and the chat rooms are becoming increasingly popular for bingo players. Click here for a complete guide to chat room lingo.