Letter Z Bingo Pattern: Rules, Odds & Tips

Which squares make the letter Z?

Two flat bars joined by a slash:

• Top bar: B1, I1, N1, G1, O1
• Diagonal: G2, free space, I4
• Bottom bar: B5, I5, N5, G5, O5

13 squares, 12 numbers. By column, that’s 2 from B, 3 from I, 2 from N, 3 from G and 2 from O.

The diagonal runs from the top right to the bottom left. A diagonal the other way makes a backwards Z (an S-like shape), which only counts if the caller says so.

Letter Z odds by call

Exact single-card figures:

Half of single cards finish by call 72. In a room, our simulation puts the first Z at about call 55 with 50 cards and call 46 with 500 cards.

A crazy Z also accepts the sideways version, which is the letter N. That doubles the ways to win, giving one card a 10% chance by call 60 and a 500-card room a first winner near call 44.

Compared with the letter I, the Z swaps the I’s N-column stem (N2 and N4) for the diagonal squares G2 and I4. Both need 12 numbers, so they play to almost the same length.

Tips for players

• Two full rows carry the Z. Ten of your 12 numbers are in the top and bottom rows.
• Learn your two diagonal numbers. G2 and I4 are the only middle-of-card squares that matter.
• Check the slant. It’s the most common reason a Z claim gets rejected.

Tips for callers and hosts

The Z is a medium-length letter, a good mid-session game for a medium prize. As the last letter of the alphabet, it makes a fun closer for an alphabet-themed night or a classroom letters game.

It also pairs nicely with the letter I, which shares the same top and bottom rows: a card that’s close on one is often close on the other.

Variations

• Crazy Z: Z or N.
• Backwards Z: the diagonal from top left to bottom right.
• Letter I: the rows joined by the N column instead. See the letter I.