How to Play Tambola? – A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Written by: Kaushik Jethva

Last Updated: May 25, 2023

how to play tambola or bingo
How to play Tambola or Bingo

Tambola, also known as Bingo or Housie, is a popular game of chance that has been enjoyed for decades in India and many other countries. The game involves players marking off numbers on a card as they are called out, and the first player to complete a winning pattern on their card wins the game. In this blog, we will discuss the Tambola rules and how to play Tambola.

1 Tambola Rules

Before we start, let’s look at the Tambola rules.

  1. The game is played with a ticket that contains 15 numbers arranged in a 3×9 grid. The first column contains numbers between 1-9. The second column contains numbers between 10-19, and so on. The last column contains numbers between 80-90.
  2. The game is played with a caller who picks a number at random and announces it to the players. The players then mark the number on their ticket if it appears on it. The objective of the game is to mark all the numbers on your ticket in a specific pattern.
  3. There are different patterns that can be played in Tambola, and the most common ones are:
  • Early Five: The first player to mark any five numbers in a row (horizontal, vertical or diagonal) wins.
  • Four Corners: The first player to mark all 4 corners of the ticket wins.
  • Full House: The first player to mark all 15 numbers on their ticket wins.
  • Top Line: The first player to mark all the numbers in the top row wins.
  • Middle Line: The first player to mark all the numbers in the middle row wins.
  • Bottom Line: The first player to mark all the numbers in the bottom row wins.
  1. The game can be played with any number of players, but it is recommended to have at least three or four players to make it more interesting.
  2. The game is usually played in rounds, with each round having a different winning pattern. The host calls out numbers randomly from a bag or a container, and players mark off the called numbers on their tickets.
  3. The first player to complete the winning pattern calls out “Tambola” or “Bingo” to indicate that they have won.
  4. The host verifies the winning ticket and declares the winner. If there is more than one winner, the prize money is divided equally among the winners.

2 How to Play Tambola

Now that we know the Tambola rules let’s see how to play the game. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Get the tickets

The first step is to get the tickets. Each player needs a ticket to play the game. You can either buy the tickets from a local store or make them at home. If you make the tickets at home, make sure they follow the Tambola rules mentioned above.

Step 2: Choose a caller

The next step is to choose a caller who will pick the numbers and announce them to the players. The caller can be one of the players or someone who is not playing the game. The caller should have a set of numbers or a deck of cards with the numbers written on them.

Step 3: Start the game

The game starts when the caller picks a number at random and announces it to the players. For example, if the caller picks the number 23, they would say, “Two and three, 23”. The players then mark the number on their ticket if it appears on it.

Step 4: Keep playing

The game continues with the caller picking numbers and announcing them to the players. The players mark the numbers on their tickets if they appear on them. The game continues until a player wins.

Step 5: Declare the winner

The winner is the first player who marks all the numbers in a specific pattern. The pattern can be any of the ones mentioned above, such as early five, full house, or any other pattern that the players agree on. The winner should call out “Tambola” or “Bingo” to declare that they have won.

3 Tips for playing Tambola

Here are some tips for playing Tambola:

  1. Stay alert: It’s important to stay alert and keep track of the numbers that are called out. Missing a number could mean missing out on a win.
  2. Be organised: Keep your tickets organised and marked clearly so that you can easily see which numbers you have marked and which ones are left.
  3. Have fun: Tambola is a game that is meant to be enjoyed with family and friends. So, don’t take it too seriously and have fun while playing.
  4. Play with a group: Tambola is more fun when played with a group of people. So, invite your friends and family over and make it a fun night.
  5. Use markers: Use markers that are easy to see and don’t smudge easily. This will make it easier for you to keep track of the numbers on your ticket.
  6. Make sure the tickets are fair: If you are making the tickets at home, make sure they are fair and follow the Tambola rules mentioned above. This will ensure that everyone has an equal chance of winning.
  7. Have a prize: To make the game more exciting, have a prize for the winner. It can be something small like candy or something big like a gift card.

4 Wrapping Up

Playing games like UNO Cards and Tambola is fun and easy that can be enjoyed with family and friends. It is a game of chance so that anyone can win. By following the Tambola rules and tips mentioned above, you can have a fun and exciting game night. So, gather your friends and family, get your tickets ready, and start playing Tambola. Who knows, you might just be the next winner!

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About This Article

Kaushik Jethva
Written by: Kaushik Jethva author

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Updated: May 25, 2023
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