Letter P Bingo Pattern: Rules, Odds & Tips

Which squares make the letter P?

A tall spine with a loop on top:

• Spine: the whole B column, B1–B5
• Top of loop: I1, N1, G1, O1
• Side of loop: O2
• Bottom of loop: I3, free space, G3, O3

14 squares, 13 numbers. Rows 4 and 5 only need the B square. You’ll need all five B numbers, three from O, two each from I and G, and one from N (N1), since N3 is the free space.

Letter P odds by call

Exact single-card figures:

Half of single cards finish by call 72. Our simulation puts the first P in a room around call 57 with 50 cards and call 49 with 500 cards. A crazy P (loop in any corner) lifts the single-card chance at call 60 to 13% and brings the 500-card figure to about call 44.

Tips for players

• The top half is where the action is. Eleven of your 13 numbers are in rows 1 to 3.
• Watch the O column. O1, O2 and O3 close the loop. O4 and O5 don’t count.
• Look at it as two lines plus extras. The top row and middle row are two lines; add B2, O2, B4 and B5 and you have your P.

Tips for callers and hosts

The P is a good stepping stone: show players the P, then later in the session the letter B, which adds a second loop. At 13 numbers it’s a mid-to-late game for a medium prize.

Letter games also work well for themed events: a P can open a “PARTY” or “PRIZE” spelling series, or anchor a fundraiser for a group whose name starts with P. Show the board, since some halls draw the loop narrower.

Variations

• Crazy P: the loop in any of the four corners.
• Narrow-loop P: a loop that closes at the G column instead of the O column.
• Letter B: a P with a second loop. See the letter B.