Quick answer
The diamond bingo pattern is an outline of 8 squares shaped like a diamond, touching the middle of each edge of the card: the top and bottom of the N column, the middle of the B and O columns, and the four squares between. The free space sits inside the diamond but isn't part of it, so you need all 8 numbers. One card has a 3.2% chance by call 50.
Which squares make the diamond?
Start at the top of the N column and trace a diamond around the free space:
- N1 (top middle) and N5 (bottom middle)
- B3 and O3 (middle of the outer columns)
- I2, G2, I4, G4 (the four squares on the slants)
That’s 8 squares, all needing numbers. Every column is involved: one B, two I, two N, two G and one O. The free space sits empty in the middle of the shape, so it gives you no help here.
Diamond odds by call
Exact figures for one 75-ball card:
| Calls made | Chance one card has the diamond |
|---|---|
| 30 | 0.03% |
| 40 | 0.46% |
| 50 | 3.2% |
| 60 | 15% |
Those single-card odds look slim, but a hall has many cards. Our simulation puts the first diamond around call 46 with 50 cards in play and call 36 with 500 cards. Any 8-number pattern, including the inside square and letter X, runs to about the same length.
Tips for players
- Count your column needs. With two numbers each from I, N and G, those calls matter most.
- Watch the far points. N1, N5, B3 and O3 are spread out, so it’s easy to miss a mark at the edge of the card.
- Use a light dauber touch. A diamond on a crowded card can be hard to read at a glance. Clean marks help the checker too.
Tips for callers and hosts
The diamond is a solid mid-session game. It runs noticeably longer than lines and corners, so it can carry a mid-sized prize. It’s also visually distinct, which helps when you show it on a board or screen, and players rarely confuse it with other patterns.
Hosts running a jewelry or “diamonds” themed night, or a ladies’ night, sometimes feature it as a showcase game.
Variations
- Filled diamond: the outline plus the small diamond inside, which adds the free space and 4 more numbers.
- Diamond with corners: adds the four corners, a 12-number game.
- Kite: a stamp and a tail on the diagonal, sometimes drawn as a tilted diamond. See the kite pattern.
Frequently asked questions
Does the free space count in a diamond pattern?
No. The free space is inside the diamond, but the pattern is only the outline, so all 8 squares need called numbers.
How long does a diamond bingo game take?
On a single card it's slow; half of cards finish only by call 70. In a hall with 500 cards in play, the first diamond usually appears around call 36.
What is the difference between a diamond and a small diamond?
The diamond touches the middle of all four card edges and needs 8 numbers. The small diamond is just the four squares around the free space and needs 4 numbers.
Keep reading
Small Diamond Bingo Pattern: Rules, Odds & Tips
The small diamond bingo pattern is the four squares touching the free space. See which numbers count, the exact odds by call, and how it compares.
Inside Square Bingo Pattern (Small Picture Frame): Rules & Odds
The inside square, or small picture frame, is the ring of 8 squares around the free space. See which numbers count, exact odds by call, and host tips.
Kite Bingo Pattern: Rules, Odds & Tips
The kite bingo pattern is a postage stamp in one corner with a diagonal tail through the free space: 7 squares, 6 numbers. See exact odds and crazy kite.
Bingo Odds Calculator
Work out your chance of winning a bingo game based on cards and players.