What Is a Full House in Bingo?
This is an independent, informational guide for UK readers and is not affiliated with the organisations mentioned. It is provided for general information only.
A full house in bingo means you have marked off every number on your ticket. It is normally the biggest prize in a game: in 90-ball bingo that is all fifteen numbers on the ticket, and it is the third and largest of the game's three prizes.
What a full house means
A full house is when you have marked off every number on your ticket. It is normally the biggest prize in a game, which is why players watch for it so keenly.
In 90-ball bingo a full house means all 15 numbers on a ticket; in 75-ball bingo it is sometimes called a "blackout" or "coverall", meaning every square on the card.
Where it fits in a game
In a 90-ball game the full house is the third and largest of the three prizes, played for after one line and two lines have been won.
Because it needs every number, a full house usually takes most of the game to complete, building the tension towards the end.
Claiming a full house
In a hall you call out — "house!" — to claim, and your ticket is checked before the prize is paid. Online, the game claims it for you the moment your last number is called.
If two players complete a full house on the same call, the prize is normally shared between them.
When two players win at once
If more than one player completes a full house on the same called number, the prize for that game is normally shared equally between them.
This is decided by the rules of the room, which are set out before you play.
A full house is also why bingo builds to a natural climax: the one-line and two-line prizes go early, and the room's attention turns to who needs the fewest numbers for the house. Online, the software tracks how close each player is, which is where terms like "one to go" come from.
How many numbers are in a full house?
In 90-ball bingo, all 15 numbers on the ticket. In 75-ball, every square on the card.
Is a full house the biggest prize?
Usually yes — it is normally the largest of the prizes in a bingo game.
What do you shout for a full house?
Traditionally "house" or "bingo"; online the win is claimed for you automatically.
What happens if two people get a full house together?
The full house prize is normally split equally between the players who complete it on the same call.
Related guides: How to play bingo, 90-ball bingo explained, Bingo lingo glossary
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