Introduction
Gone were the days where we gathered in bingo halls, the game of bingo has evolved with the time and now anyone can play it online at any time they want. The essence of the game still remains the same even in the virtual form, but now with the addition of chat rooms along with more accessibility and availability.
Though some may associate bingo with casino table games since both games entered the realm of the internet recently, they each have different instructions to apply for their game site. Continue reading to learn more about the key aspects to look out for in a bingo site to find the perfect site for you to begin your online bingo journey!
1. Online chat rooms
Having a friendly community is essential when playing bingo virtually. Unlike physical bingo, online bingo tends to lack the human element so chat groups are here to replace it by offering a space for social interaction. When you enter a chat room, pay attention to its functionality and how user-friendly it is. We encourage choosing top UK regulated operators that allow smooth and easy messaging functions that offer features such as private messaging or even a wide array of emojis to use. Additionally, it is good to check if the site’s administrator regularly monitors the chat and sanctions users who display poor behaviour. This is crucial because it directly impacts your playing experience on the site.
2. Prizes
Prize collection on a bingo site is now slightly more complicated than its physical counterpart where you can walk to the counter immediately after the round to collect it. Online sites tend to pool the players’ entry fees and the total lump sum is awarded to the bingo winner. There are also occasions where there is no winner, so the pooled funds are rolled over to the subsequent games and the prize money simply accumulates until someone wins. Depending on the type of game, you can even win something small even if you did not strike off all the numbers.
3. Bonus and promotions
Aside from the prizes, the next thing to look out for is the type of bonuses and promotions. A good site should provide users with exclusive bonuses and attractive promotions. Major bingo sites often entice users with a welcome bonus, where they match the user’s first deposit (with a capped amount). There are sites that provide no deposit bonuses too, allowing users to register for an account and receive credits even before they make an initial deposit. However, this bonus often comes with terms and conditions that restrict the user from withdrawing the payout until they hit the minimum play quota.
As for promotions, winning boosters are gaining popularity from bingo sites. These boosters multiply one’s winnings by a fixed factor. So if the winning booster is set at 10, your initial profit of $100 will be multiplied by 10 and you receive a total sum of $1000.
If you intend to invite your friends to play bingo together, we recommend finding a bingo site that has a referral programme. Though this type of programme is not a bonus nor a promotion per se, getting incentivised for every friend you invite is a great way to earn some extra cash.
For users who play bingo frequently, do keep a lookout for bingo sites that offer generous daily rewards as they can accumulate into a substantial amount over time.
4. Variety
Did you know there are more versions of bingo aside from the traditional 75-ball or 90-ball games? Unlike physical halls, online bingo sites tend to offer most versions of bingo games that are known to mankind. Do look out for bingo sites that boast a wide range of bingo games so you can find out which game style fits you the best! Online sites also have additional interesting elements such as special bonus balls and cool themes that enhance the gaming experience for players.
5. Player modes
One of the key features of online bingo is its flexibility. You are free to choose if you want to play the game by yourself or play it with others.
A. Single mode
This is for those who want to go solo or are not interested in the bingo chat rooms. During single-player mode, users will play on their own against the bingo bot. Naturally, the prize does not come from the pooled funds but you still can win prizes during this mode too.
For beginners, we suggest you start with the single-player mode and move on to the hybrid mode.
B. Hybrid mode
Once you feel more comfortable playing, consider playing the hybrid mode! Since you are playing other players, the prize comes from the pooled funds – so you can win bigger!
Although bingo is known to be a social game, you can actually determine the level of desired interaction based on the choice of the bingo room.
6. Software providers
Most online bingo sites do not build original software for virtual bingo. Instead, they hire an external software provider to top it up with the site’s branding, offering and rules. So the core element of the said software tends to be retained in these online bingo sites. Furthermore, many of these sites often used the same software provider so it was important to research the bingo site’s provider before registering.
Software providers that enable a painless user experience, minimal lag, zero glitches, and clean messaging functions are something that users look for. However, in this generation where technology is so advanced, most major bingo sites are already using reliable software. Just for your additional knowledge, software providers such as Virtue Fusion and Jumpman Gaming are the big players in this industry.
Conclusion
With online bingo gaining significant traction from the younger generation at a fast pace, there might be a day where traditional bingo halls go extinct and the game of bingo moves entirely online. If you are an avid bingo player who has yet to try online bingo or just someone who is interested in this addictive game, we suggest you look out for the features mentioned in this article to find an online bingo site suitable for you.