90 ball bingo is the game most familiar to those outside of the US. It is played in countries ranging from Britain to Australia, New Zealand, and even South America. Whilst the basic idea is very similar to that of the 75 ball bingo played in the US, there is enough that is different to make it feel like a completely new game.

As you might expect from the name, this game has more numbers to draw from - and also more squares marked off on your bingo card. Any number from 1 to 90 can be called on each draw, whether that's a real draw from bingo bowl or a computer-generated draw in an on-line game.

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Rather than the typical 5x5 grid seen in 75 ball the bingo cards here aren't symmetrical; instead they consist of 3 long rows of 9 columns, for a total of 27 squares. This arrangement is preferred because rather than completing patterns, players are looking for straight rows.

90 ball also differs in that not all of the squares are filled with numbers - usually only 5 per row are actually used. So with a 90 ball draw, and only 15 numbered squares per slot, that means the chance of having that first draw on your card is only 1 in 6. That compares to 75 ball, where the chance is closer to 1 in 3 (24 numbers against 75 in the pot).

This makes keeping track of cards potentially easier - and games longer. But to keep bingo players on their toes, the position of the blank and numbered squares in each row is different for each card. That makes finding the number a little trickier. However, you will notice that the columns of 3 rows will each only have numbers from their own set of 9 or 10 numbers.

That means the first column could have any numbers from 1 to 9; all the way up to the last column, which could have picked from 80 to 90. That grouping helps players find the called numbers more quickly. Winning occurs when the first player or players get a row – that earns the lowest prize. Then, when another player, or players, gets 2 rows, another prize is awarded. The top prize is awarded for the player of players who get all 3 rows- what is known as a full house.

If the win is claimed by several players, it is split between them. Many on-line games also have progressive jackpots, which builds up the final jackpot available. This is won if you manage to get a full house within a small number of draws - and prizes of thousands, or tens of thousands of dollars, can really make it worth playing long.

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