Home / Guides / Bingo Calls – The Complete List of Funny Bingo Nicknames

Bingo Calls – The Complete List of Funny Bingo Nicknames

By Joy, Updated: January 14, 2024

Learn about the different phrases that have been used to replace the numbers on bingo balls

Bingo calls are the main part of any bingo game. No matter what version of the game players has chosen to play, the numbers will be called by the caller. There are some locations where callers use different terminology, so it is important for any players to become familiar with bingo lingo so they have a complete understanding of the game when they play.

The bingo calls that are used will often be determined by location as many different countries will have different terms that are used when playing the game. Not all bingo calls will be a local variation, which is why it is essential for players to know different terms so that they can enjoy playing the game. Bingo calls are not often used online, though there may be a few sites that make use of the phrases to provide a more entertaining game.

History of Bingo Calls

Most of the bingo calls that are used today originated in the United Kingdom and UK players will be very familiar with these. However, calls have been adopted all over the world and are part of the game in many locations. Many countries will use similar calls and game callers have embraced these terms. Bingo calls replace the standard number calling, so instead of announcing the number that has been drawn, the caller will use a phrase or a word to stand for that number.

Bingo calls first started to be used in live bingo halls because of the noise level and the constant talking between players. The phrases were designed to grab the attention of players. Bingo calls are still used inland locations but are seldom used online where players are often playing in a quiet environment at home.

These calls were first used back in the 1950s and over the years, new bingo calls have emerged. In 2003, some newer calls were introduced to the gem to provide new interest, such as Gareth Gates for the number 8 and J Lo’s Bum for the number 71.

General Bingo Calls

There rephrases that have remained in place over the years and these general calls represent a set of numbers. The term on its own will refer to a single digit number in the game. Numbers that end in zero will be called as blind 20, 30, 40 and so on. When numbers have two of the same digits, callers will often say all threes for 33 or all fours for 44. All of the remaining numbers in the game will be announced as individual numbers, such as two and six for 26 or four and nine for 49.

Bingo Call Charts

To help players learn the different bingo calls, there are charts that can be accessed and memorised. These charts contain the names for all numbers in the game, from 1 to 90. Knowing these terms can make for a more enjoyable bingo experience and the calls bring a little more fun to the game than when callers simply call out the numbers. Below, players can see the full list of bingo calls that are most commonly used and these can be heard in bingo rooms within the US and the UK as well as many other countries.
Bingo Calls

  1. Kelly’s eye, Little Jimmy, First on the board
  2. Little duck, Me and you, Home alone, Peek a boo
  3. One little flea, Cup of tea, Monkey on the tree
  4. The one next door, On the floor, Shut the door
  5. One little snake, Man alive
  6. Chopsticks, Tom’s tricks, In a Fix
  7. Hockey stick, Crutch, Lucky seven, God’s in heaven, David Beckham
  8. One fat lady, At the gate
  9. Doctor’s orders
  10. Downing Street, Big fat hen, Cock and hen, Uncle Ben
  11. Legs, Chicken Legs, Skinny legs
  12. One dozen, One doz’ if one can
  13. Unlucky for some, Bakers’ Dozen
  14. Valentine’s day
  15. Rugby team
  16. Sweet sixteen, Never been kissed
  17. Dancing queen, Posh and Becks
  18. Key of the door, Coming of Age
  19. Goodbye teens
  20. Blind 20, One score
  21. Royal salute, Key of the door
  22. Two little ducks
  23. A duck and a flea, The Lord’s my shepherd
  24. Two dozen
  25. Duck and dive
  26. Bed and breakfast
  27. Gateway to Heaven, Little duck with a crutch
  28. Duck and its mate
  29. Rise and shine
  30. Dirty Gertie, Speed limit
  31. Get up and run
  32. Buckle my Shoe
  33. Two little fleas, Sherwood Forest
  34. Ask for more
  35. Jump and jive, Flirty wives
  36. Three dozen
  37. A flea in heaven
  38. Christmas cake
  39. All the steps, Jack Benny
  40. Two Score, Life begins at, Naughty 40
  41. Life’s begun, Time for fun
  42. Whinny the Poo
  43. Down on your knees
  44. All the fours
  45. Halfway House, Halfway there
  46. Up to tricks
  47. Four and seven
  48. Four dozen
  49. PC, Copper
  50. Bulls eye, Half a century, Hawaii Five O
  51. I love my mum
  52. Weeks in a year, Pack ‘o cards
  53. Stuck in the tree, The Joker
  54. Clean the floor
  55. Snakes alive, All the fives
  56. Was she worth it?
  57. Heinz varieties, All the beans
  58. Make them wait, Choo Choo Thomas
  59. Brighton line
  60. Three Score, Five dozen
  61. Bakers bun
  62. Tickety boo, Turn on the screw
  63. Tickle me
  64. The Beatles number, Red raw
  65. Old age pension
  66. Clickety click, All the sixes
  67. Made in heaven
  68. Saving grace
  69. Either way up, The French Connection
  70. Three Score and Ten
  71. Bang on the Drum, Lucky one
  72. A crutch and a duck, Par for the course
  73. Crutch with a flea, Lucky three
  74. Candy store, Grandmamma of Bingo, Lucky four
  75. Granddaddy of Bingo, Lucky Five
  76. Trombones, Lucky six
  77. All the sevens, Two little crutches, The double hockey stick, Lucky Seven
  78. Heaven’s Gate, Lucky eight
  79. Lucky Nine
  80. Gandhi’s breakfast, Eight and blank
  81. Fat lady and a little wee, Stop and run
  82. Fat lady with a duck, Straight on through
  83. Fat lady with a flea, Time for tea, Ethel’s Ear
  84. Seven dozen
  85. Staying alive
  86. Between the sticks
  87. Fat lady with a crutch
  88. Two fat ladies, Wobbly wobbly, All the Eights
  89. Nearly there, All but one
  90. Top of the Shop, Top of the House, End of the line
Notifications
Exclusive Offer
Mecca Bingo Review 4.9 / 5 Deposit £10, Get Up To £120 Bonus
Get Offer

Country Restrictions Apply. NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. DEPOSIT AND STAKE £10 ON BINGO TO QUALIFY WITHIN 7 DAYS OF INITIAL DEPOSIT. SOME PRIZES HAVE WAGERING REQUIREMENTS AND EXPIRY DATES. SEE FULL T&CS FOR MORE DETAIL.

Free Spins Offer
MrQ Bingo Review 4.9 / 5 Get 30 Free Spins, Use Code: BASSM30
Get Offer

18+. New players only. First deposit only. Min deposit & spend £10. Max 30 spins on VALHALLA at 25p per spin. Spins credited upon spend of £10. Full T&Cs apply.

Free Spins No Wagering
Betfred Bingo Review 4.9 / 5 Get £10 Bingo Bonus + 100 FREE Spins
Get Offer

New customers only. Register with promo code BINGO100. Minimum deposit and stake £10 on Bingo Tickets within 14 days to qualify. £10 Bingo Bonus must be wagered through once. 14-day expiry. Bonus Balance is used prior to Cash Balance. 100 Free Spins on selected Slots credited within 48 hours of qualification. Free Spins expire after 7 days. E-Wallet & Prepaid Card restrictions apply. SMS validation may be required. Full T&Cs apply.

Free Play Bonus
Heart Bingo Review 4.8 / 5 Get £30 Bingo Bonus + 100 Free Spins
Get Offer

18+ New customers. Opt In, Deposit & play £10 on Bingo or Slot Games within 7 days. Deposits made by Paypal are excluded from this promotion. Get £30 on Bingo + 100 Free Spins on Make Me a Millionaire Slot Game. Click for T&Cs | begambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly

Scroll to Top