Quick answer
Blackout bingo, also called coverall, is a pattern where you must mark every number on your card — all 24 numbers plus the free space. It is the hardest standard pattern to complete, typically taking 55 to 65 calls in a busy hall and about 73 calls for a single card, which is why blackout games usually carry the biggest jackpots in US bingo halls.
How the blackout pattern works
In a blackout game you win only when every square on your card is marked. On a US 75-ball card that’s 24 numbers plus the free space in the middle of the N column. No single line, corner or shape counts — the whole card has to be covered.
Because of that, blackout is normally the last and biggest game of a bingo session. Many halls run it as a progressive jackpot: if a player covers their card within a set number of calls (for example 50 or fewer), they win the jackpot. If not, a smaller consolation prize is paid and the jackpot grows for next time.
How many calls does a blackout take?
A blackout can’t happen before the 24th call, and in practice it takes much longer. The exact number depends mostly on how many cards are in play:
| Cards in play | Typical first blackout |
|---|---|
| 1 card | Call 74 (average 73) |
| 50 cards | Call 65 |
| 500 cards | Call 60 |
| 5,000 cards | Call 56 |
These are the median call numbers for 75-ball bingo — half of games finish sooner, half later — calculated exactly from the 24 numbers a card needs. Run your own numbers with our bingo odds calculator.
Tips for playing blackout
- Play more cards if the rules allow it. Every card is an independent chance. Blackout is the one game where an extra card noticeably improves your odds.
- Use a dauber with a big tip. Blackout games go deep into the numbers, and late calls come fast.
- Watch for jackpot call limits. Know the call number the jackpot closes at so you know whether you’re playing for the big prize or the consolation.
Blackout vs. other coverall games
Some halls play variations such as “Blackout in X numbers” (a fixed call limit) or “Double Bingo then Blackout”, where the same card plays for a smaller pattern first and then continues to coverall. The rules are always announced before the game starts.
Frequently asked questions
What is a blackout in bingo?
A blackout is a bingo game where you need to mark every square on your card to win. On a standard US 75-ball card, that means all 24 numbers plus the free center space.
How many numbers does it take to get a blackout?
A single 75-ball card needs about 73 calls on average to black out. In a hall with hundreds of cards in play, the first blackout usually comes around the 56th to 65th call. The more cards in the room, the sooner someone gets it.
Is blackout the same as coverall?
Yes. Blackout, coverall, full card and full house (the UK term) all mean the same thing: covering every number on your card.
Why do blackout games have bigger prizes?
Blackout takes far more calls to complete than a line or four corners, so games run longer and fewer players are close to winning at once. Halls use that to build progressive jackpots that are only paid if someone covers their card within a set number of calls.
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