Bonanza Bingo: How the Pre-Drawn Coverall Game Works

How does a bonanza bingo game work?

Bonanza is a coverall game played in two stages. Most of the numbers are drawn first, then the game is finished later with a handful of extra calls. It’s popular in US charity and VFW halls because it gives players something to follow all session long.

1. The pre-draw. At the start of the session (or during it), the caller draws a set of numbers, commonly 48, and posts them on the board.
2. Sealed cards go on sale. Players buy bonanza cards, which come sealed, usually for a small extra cost on top of the regular pack.
3. Players mark the posted numbers. Open your sealed card and daub every pre-drawn number on it, plus the free space.
4. The finish. Near the end of the session, the caller draws more balls, one at a time: the 49th, 50th, 51st and so on.
5. First coverall wins. The first player to cover all 24 numbers on their card wins. Ties are usually split.

Some halls add a twist, such as a bigger prize if someone covers their card within one or two extra calls, or a progressive jackpot that grows each session it isn’t hit.

Why are bonanza cards sealed?

Sealed cards keep the game fair. If players could see a card before buying it, they could pick the cards that already match most of the posted numbers. Oregon’s bingo rules, for example, say bonanza cards must remain sealed until sold, the advance balls must be drawn during a session in front of players, and the number of balls drawn in advance must be fewer than would likely produce an instant winner for the expected crowd. Rules in other states differ, so halls post their own bonanza rules.

What are the odds in bonanza bingo?

Bonanza is a blackout game, so it’s hard to win on any single card. We calculated the chance that a single 75-ball card is fully covered after a given number of calls (24 numbers on the card, plus the free space):

Each extra ball roughly doubles a card’s chances early on. Across a whole room, the odds look different. Here’s the approximate chance that at least one card in play is covered:

So a typical bonanza game needs well more than a few extra balls before anyone covers their card. The fuller the room, the sooner it ends. For comparison, a regular blackout game with 500 cards in play is usually won around call 60. Try other scenarios with our bingo odds calculator.

Tips for playing bonanza bingo

• Know the call limit. If there’s a jackpot for winning within a set number of calls, know where it stops.
• Check your card carefully. Daub every posted number, not just the ones you notice first. A missed number can cost you the game.
• Keep your card until the game is over. Don’t throw it away just because you’re several numbers short. Bonanza finishes can surprise you.
• Budget for extras. Bonanza cards are cheap, but session add-ons add up. Set a limit and stick to it.

Bonanza vs. other bingo games

See how U-Pick-Em bingo works, or learn the basics of the 75-ball game that bonanza is built on.

Is bonanza bingo legal?

Bonanza is a variation of regular bingo, so it’s legal wherever charitable or tribal bingo is legal, subject to state rules like Oregon’s on sealed cards and pre-drawn numbers. Check what’s allowed where you live on our state bingo laws pages, and if you play for money, keep it fun with our responsible gaming tips.