Quick answer
Two lines bingo, often called double bingo, is won by the first card with two complete lines. Any two of the 12 lines count: rows, columns or diagonals, and they may cross. It takes 8 to 10 numbers depending on the lines. One card has about a 51% chance by call 50, and with 500 cards in play the first double usually lands around call 24.
How two lines bingo works
The game keeps going past the first line. You win when one card shows two complete lines. The diagram above shows one example, the top two rows, but any pair of the 12 standard lines counts:
- two rows, two columns, or a row and a column
- a diagonal plus any row or column
- both diagonals (which is also the letter X)
Some halls play it as a follow-on: the first line wins a small prize, and the same game continues for the double.
How many numbers does a double take?
It depends on the lines you finish:
| Line pair | Numbers needed |
|---|---|
| Two lines crossing at the free space (e.g. middle row + N column) | 8 |
| A row and column crossing elsewhere | 9 |
| Two parallel lines, one through the center | 9 |
| Two parallel edge lines (e.g. top and bottom rows) | 10 |
So lines through the free space are still your best friends.
Two lines odds by call
These figures are exact for one card and count every possible pair of lines:
| Calls made | Chance one card has two lines |
|---|---|
| 30 | 1.2% |
| 40 | 13% |
| 50 | 51% |
| 60 | 92% |
That puts the single-card halfway point at call 50, eight calls later than a single line. Across a room it’s quicker: our simulation puts the first double at about call 31 with 50 cards and call 24 with 500 cards.
Tips for players
- Once you have one line, look for the cheapest second line. A line that crosses your first one shares a square, so it needs one fewer number.
- Don’t shout on one line unless the caller has said a single line pays in this game.
- Mark carefully. Doubles often come mid-game when calls are coming quickly and it’s easy to miss one.
Tips for callers and hosts
Two lines is a good step up after a few single-line games. It roughly doubles the playing time of a line game without dragging, so it suits a mid-session prize a notch above your line games. Announce clearly whether diagonals count and whether crossing lines are allowed, since that’s where most disputes come from. For a fixed version, try railroad tracks (two set columns) or step up to layer cake.
Variations
- Two lines, no diagonals: only rows and columns count.
- Two parallel lines: the lines may not cross.
- Triple bingo: three lines on one card, used as a longer game before a blackout.
Frequently asked questions
What is a double bingo?
A double bingo means completing two separate lines on the same card. In US halls the lines can usually be any combination of rows, columns and diagonals, and they are allowed to cross.
Can the two lines cross each other?
In most halls, yes. A row and a column that cross share one square, and two lines that cross at the free space share it too, so crossing lines can need as few as 8 called numbers.
Do two lines on different cards count?
No. Both lines must be on the same card. Two single lines on two different cards are two separate single-line bingos, not a double.
Keep reading
Single Line Bingo Pattern: Rules, Odds & Tips
Single line bingo means five in a row across, down or diagonally. See all 12 winning lines, how the free space helps, and the real odds by call.
Layer Cake Bingo Pattern: Rules, Odds & Tips
Layer cake bingo covers the top, middle and bottom rows of the card: 15 squares, 14 numbers. See the exact odds by call and how hosts use it.
Railroad Tracks Bingo Pattern: Rules, Odds & Tips
Railroad tracks bingo covers the full I and G columns: two parallel lines and 10 numbers. See exact odds by call, crazy versions, and host tips.
Bingo Odds Calculator
Work out your chance of winning a bingo game based on cards and players.