Bingo Winning Lines: Diagonally, Vertically or Horizontally?
Bingo has long been a popular choice for those who enjoy games of chance, whether that is in a hall with friends or through an online site.
If you are new to bingo, you might have seen a card filled with rows and columns and wondered what counts as a winning line. The way these winning lines are made can seem a bit confusing at first.
Different bingo games can have their own rules for paying out. It might help to know how diagonal, vertical and horizontal lines are treated before you consider getting started. Read on to learn more.
How Do Winning Lines Work in Bingo?
In the UK, most players will come across 90-ball bingo. A 90-ball ticket has three rows and nine columns. Each row contains five numbers and four blanks, so you are working with 15 numbers in total.
A winning line means completing every number in a single line that the game recognises for a prize. In many 90-ball games that means horizontal rows only. Some variants also allow vertical or diagonal lines, but that depends on the rules shown for that specific game. It might be worth checking the information panel or paytable so you know exactly what counts.
Numbers are drawn at random, either by a caller in a hall or by a certified digital system online. Each game is independent, so the chance of completing a line in one round is not affected by what happened before. If you do decide to try your hand at bingo, remember to do so responsibly and within your means; never wager more than you can afford to lose.
Can You Win Bingo Diagonally?
In UK bingo, diagonal wins are not the standard, though they do appear in certain formats. Classic 90-ball games focus on straight rows across the ticket for one line, two lines and the full house.
Some online variants add extra patterns, including diagonals, crosses or other shapes. These games always show the required pattern before tickets are sold, so you can see at a glance whether diagonals are in play for that round.
You may also see 75-ball bingo online. These cards use a 5×5 grid, which makes diagonal wins possible in many versions. As ever, the rules on the game screen confirm which lines or shapes will pay.
Can You Win Bingo Vertically?
Vertical wins depend on the version you are playing. In traditional 90-ball bingo, prizes are almost always based on completing horizontal rows rather than columns.
That said, some special formats do include vertical lines as eligible patterns. When they do, the game will make this clear before it begins, usually in the rules or info panel.
Vertical lines are more common in 75-ball bingo, where a full column on the 5×5 grid can count as a win in many games. The easiest way to be sure is to check the pattern preview before you buy.
Can You Win Bingo Horizontally?
Yes. In the UK, horizontal lines are the most common way to win. On a 90-ball ticket you will usually see prizes for the first player to complete one row, then two rows, and finally every number on the ticket for the full house. This simple structure keeps the action clear and easy to follow.
Many 75-ball games also pay for any complete horizontal line across the 5×5 grid. The rules shown in the lobby or game screen tell you which lines count in that specific round. With lines covered, the top prize is the full house.
What Counts as a Full House in Bingo?
A full house is when every number on your ticket is marked off within a single game. In 90-ball bingo that means all 15 numbers across the three rows.
It is usually the final and highest prize of the round, awarded to the first player to finish their ticket. In 75-ball bingo the full house covers all 25 squares on the 5×5 card. Each game’s instructions confirm exactly what is required.
If the format looks unfamiliar, a quick look at the lobby or paytable may tell you what you potentially need for a full house before you join.
How Are Winning Patterns Decided in Online Bingo?
Online bingo sets the win pattern before each game starts, and it is displayed on the game page or ticket screen. Some rounds keep to simple lines and full houses. Others introduce shapes such as corners, crosses or letters.
Behind the scenes, numbers are generated by Random Number Generators (RNGs). On UK Gambling Commission (UKGC)-licensed sites these systems are independently tested, so results are random and cannot be influenced by players or operators.
Because each provider can configure its own rooms, rules, ticket layouts and prize tables can vary.
Understanding Payouts for Different Winning Lines
Payouts depend on the pattern required and how the game has been set up. In most 90-ball rooms you will find three main prizes: one for a single line, another for two lines and a final one for the full house.
Prize values are often linked to ticket sales and the size of the prize pot. The first player to complete the required pattern, whether horizontal, vertical or diagonal in games that allow them, receives the amount shown on the paytable.
Many sites display prize breakdowns before the game begins. Some rooms use fixed sums, while others pay a percentage of total ticket sales. If more than one player finishes the same pattern on the same call, the prize is usually shared.
Special formats can add jackpots or extra awards, and these may have different conditions. Checking the rules and paytable in advance could be a handy tool to show how a room pays and help you choose the games that suit how you like to play. Once you understand which lines count and how prizes work, following a game from first call to full house may feel more straightforward. Always keep responsible gambling practises in mind.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.
*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.