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How many bingo cards do you need?
Running out of cards halfway through the night is stressful, and printing ten times too many wastes paper and money. The right number comes down to three things: how many people are coming, how many cards each person plays, and whether your cards are reusable.
The quick answer
Reusable cards (chips or erasable markers):
players × cards per player + 10% spare
Paper cards (thrown away after each game):
players × cards per player × number of games + 10% spare
For most casual events, plan on one to three cards per player. Beginners, kids, and seniors usually do best with one. Regular players often like three, and experienced hall players may handle many more, but that is rare at a fundraiser or party.
Quick reference table
These numbers include 10% spare and assume two cards per player and 10 games, which is a typical two-hour night.
| Players | Reusable cards | Paper cards (10 games) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 44 | 440 |
| 35 | 77 | 770 |
| 50 | 110 | 1,100 |
| 75 | 165 | 1,650 |
| 100 | 220 | 2,200 |
If players will buy extra cards for special games, add those on top. If you're not sure how many people are coming, plan for the number who said yes plus a quarter.
Reusable or paper?
- Reusable cards (hard cards with chips, or laminated cards with dry-erase markers) are cheapest over time. Players clear the card between games. You only need enough for one game.
- Paper cards marked with daubers are faster to play and easier to check, but every game uses a fresh card. They suit fundraisers where each game is sold separately.
- A mix works too: reusable cards for regular games, paper for a special jackpot or blackout game.
Printing your own is the cheapest option. The free BingoBoardTV card generator prints 1, 2, 4, or 6 unique cards per page, so 110 cards at 4 per page is about 28 sheets of paper.
More cards means faster games and more ties
Every card in play is another chance for someone to finish the pattern. With 20 cards in the room, a single-line game runs a good while. With 200 cards, someone usually wins after only a handful of calls. More cards also make it more likely that two people win on the same number.
Decide your tie rule before the night starts and announce it. The usual approach is to split the prize between everyone who won on the same call. Our guide to running a bingo night covers announcing rules and paying out.
Will you run out of unique cards?
No. A 75-ball card has five columns: B uses 1–15, I uses 16–30, N uses 31–45 with a free center square, G uses 46–60, and O uses 61–75. Counting only which numbers are in each column, there are 111,007,923,832,370,565 possible cards. If the order within each column counts, it's about 552 septillion.
What you do need to avoid is printing the same card twice in one event, which happens if you photocopy a sheet. Duplicate cards mean duplicate winners. Generating each batch from a code avoids that, and it also lets you verify a winner's card in seconds.
Pricing cards for a fundraiser
If you're selling cards, packs are simpler than single cards: for example, one card for one price and a three-card pack for a little less per card. Keep the math easy so volunteers can make change quickly. Charity bingo for money is regulated in many states, so check the rules before you sell; see do you need a license for bingo?
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Frequently asked questions
How many bingo cards should each player get?
One to three cards per player per game is right for most casual events. First-timers, kids, and seniors usually do best with one. Regular players often like three.
How many bingo cards do I need for 50 people?
With reusable cards and two cards each, about 110 cards (100 plus 10% spare). With paper cards thrown away after each game, multiply by the number of games: two cards each for 10 games is about 1,100 cards.
How many different 75-ball bingo cards are possible?
About 111 quadrillion distinct cards if you ignore the order of numbers within each column (111,007,923,832,370,565), and about 552 septillion if order matters. You will never run out.
Do more cards make the game end faster?
Yes. The more cards in play, the sooner someone completes the pattern, and the more likely two players win on the same number. Plan for ties.
More guides: How to run a bingo night · What equipment do you need? · Bingo fundraiser ideas · How to verify a winner