What is Tambola? How to Play Tambola Rules, Strategy & More
Worried about boring house parties? Or get together??
Don’t be….
You know what can save you…. It’s your favourite and fun game Tambola…
Tambola, known as Housie or Bingo in some places, is a popular numbers game often played at social gatherings, parties, and in homes for entertainment. The game is played with a board marked with numbers, usually from 1 to 90, and players are given tickets or cards with a random selection of these numbers. This is a loved game and is played with a bunch of people, where some of them are there just to cheer you. In the game, after each draw, the announcer declares the number and notes it on the board. The goal is to mark off or strike through all the numbers on the player’s ticket. The first player to complete the winning pattern and have their numbers verified by the dealer is declared the winner. If a player claims the wrong winning pattern, they cannot use the same ticket again during the game. The game typically concludes either after all 90 numbers have been drawn or when a player declares the winning pattern, whichever happens first.
How to Play Tambola:
1. How to Setup Tambola Game:
Each player purchases one or more tickets or cards. These tickets have a grid of numbers on them, typically arranged in rows and columns.
2. What is a Caller in Tambola Game:
A designated person, called the caller, randomly picks numbers from a container or shuffles them and calls them out loud.
For example, “Number 22” or “Two Little Ducks, 22”.
3. Marking Numbers in Tambola:
As the numbers are called out, players mark the corresponding numbers on their tickets. The goal is to complete a specific pattern or achieve a full house, depending on the rules set before the game starts.
4. Patterns to Observe in Tambola:
The game can have various winning patterns, such as a single line (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal), two lines, a full house (all numbers on the ticket marked), or special patterns like corners or houses.
5. Winning the Tambola Game:
The first player(s) to complete the required pattern or achieve a full house shouts “Tambola” or “Housie,” depending on the local terminology, to indicate they’ve won that round.
6. Verification of Tambola Numbers:
After a claim of winning, the caller verifies the numbers on the winning ticket against the called numbers to confirm the win.
7. Prizes of Tambola:
Prizes are awarded to the winners based on the rules established before the game. These prizes can vary from small items to cash prizes, depending on the setting and the agreement among players.
Tambola Game Rules:
- Each player is given a ticket or card with numbers printed on it in a grid format. The numbers on the tickets are typically arranged in rows and columns.
- A designated person called the caller, is responsible for randomly selecting numbers and calling them out during the game.
- The caller randomly picks numbers from a container or shuffles numbered tokens. As each number is drawn, the caller announces it to the players.
- Players mark the called numbers on their tickets. This is usually done by crossing out or covering the numbers with a token or marker.
- The game can have various winning patterns, such as:
- Single Line
- Two Lines
- Full House
- Special Patterns
- When a player completes the required pattern on their ticket, they shout “Tambola” or “Housie” to indicate they’ve won that round.
- After a player claims a win, the caller verifies the numbers on the winning ticket against the called numbers to confirm the win.
- Prizes are awarded to the winners based on the rules established before the game. Prizes can vary from small items to cash prizes, depending on the agreement among players.
- The game typically continues with multiple rounds, allowing different players to win different patterns in each round.
- The game ends either after a certain number of rounds or when players decide to conclude the game. The player with the most wins or the highest prize value at the end of the game is considered the overall winner.
Tambola Winning Patterns:
Early Five:
This means when you have started playing and after a few calls you already have the first five numbers called got dabbed or striked. This is the fastest winning pattern. The player who marks off any five numbers on their ticket first is the winner. This is usually the quickest pattern to complete.
Top Line:
The ticket with all the numbers of the top row dabbed fastest. There’s always an amount of competition on who is going to win the top line. The player who marks off all the numbers in the top row of their ticket first (numbers 1 to 9) is the winner.
Middle Line:
The ticket with all the numbers of the middle row dabbed fastest. The player who marks off all the numbers in the middle row of their ticket first (numbers 10 to 19) is the winner. This is a considerate one as already two people have won but still you got the chance to win.
Bottom Line:
The ticket with the numbers of the bottom row dabbed fasted. The player who marks off all the numbers in the bottom row of their ticket first (numbers 20 to 27) is the winner. Here the competition is tough as already few people have won and less players are on this level.
Four Corners:
The ticket with all four corners marked first i.e. 1st and last numbers of top and bottom rows. The player who marks off all four corner numbers of their ticket first (1, 9, 19, and 27) is the winner. This is a tricky way to win but you still have a chance to win.
Full House:
The ticket with all 15 numbers is marked first. The player who marks off all the numbers on their ticket first is the winner. This is often considered the main or final winning pattern. This is the last pattern where all your numbers are struck off from the ticket.
Tambola Game Online
While this happening game is loved to be played offline with friends at parties wait you can also play it online with random people. Isn’t it amazing?
Where to Play Tambola Online:
There are various websites and mobile apps that offer online Tambola. Choose a platform that suits your preferences.
Signup:
Sign up or log in to the chosen platform. Put up your information and create a username.
Join the Game:
Once logged in, find a Tambola game to join your table. Some platforms may have different variations of the game, so choose the one you prefer.
Buy Tickets:
Players buy tickets that have a grid of numbers on them. Each number corresponds to a call that will be announced during the game. Purchase the desired number of tickets for the game and play with them.
Know the Rules:
Understand the rules of the Tambola game you’re playing. Rules may vary, but the basic concept involves marking off numbers on your ticket as they are called.
Tambola Game FAQ
1. What is Tambola?
Tambola, also known as Housie or Bingo, is a popular numbers game played with tickets or cards containing random numbers. Players mark off numbers as they are called out, aiming to complete specific patterns or achieve a full house to win prizes.
2. How many players can participate in Tambola?
Tambola can be played with a small group of friends or a larger gathering. There’s no strict limit on the number of players, but typically, it works well with 10 to 20 players or more.
3. What are the different winning patterns in Tambola?
Common winning patterns in Tambola include single lines (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal), two lines (any two lines on the ticket), full house (all numbers on the ticket marked), and special patterns like corners, houses, or other shapes as per the game’s rules.
4. Can players have multiple tickets in Tambola?
Yes, players can purchase and play with multiple tickets to increase their chances of winning. However, players need to manage all their tickets simultaneously during the game.
5. How are Tambola tickets priced?
The price of Tambola tickets can vary depending on the setting. In social gatherings or parties, tickets may be sold at a nominal price per ticket, or players may receive tickets as part of their participation. Prizes are often determined based on the total ticket sales.
6. What happens if multiple players complete a winning pattern simultaneously?
In the event that multiple players complete a winning pattern at the same time and shout “Tambola” or “Housie,” the prize may be shared equally among the winners, or the game may continue for a tiebreaker round to determine the ultimate winner.
7. Are there any age restrictions for playing Tambola?
Tambola is a family-friendly game suitable for players of all ages. However, younger children may need assistance in understanding the rules and managing their tickets during the game.
8. Can Tambola be played online or virtually?
Yes, Tambola can be adapted for online play through virtual platforms and apps. Virtual Tambola retains the same rules and gameplay mechanics but allows players to participate remotely, making it convenient for friends and family separated by distance to enjoy the game together.
