How does Bar Beats Bingo work?
It's just like regular bingo, but with great tunes instead of numbers. Quick fire games are short, fast and easy to fit into any night.
- 4 games per pack
- Run one game, or run all four in a night.
- 7 to 27 minutes each
- Each song clip is 25 seconds, so games move fast.
- One fast way to win
- One winning pattern per game, then optional Blackout.
Winning patterns
Each quick fire game has one fast way of winning, then the option to play on to Blackout. Times are to the first winner with 10 to 30 cards in play: more cards, faster winners.
- 1 lineAny one full lineAbout 7 to 12 min
- 2 linesAny two full linesAbout 17 to 19 min
- 3 linesAny three full linesAbout 20 to 22 min
- The XBoth diagonalsAbout 18 to 22 min
- BlackoutThe whole cardAbout 25 to 27 min
Automatically validated. Our Game Validation Engine checks every game for these five patterns. Other patterns, such as four corners, are welcome too, but they aren't automatically validated. If you use one, check off the songs on your call list as they play so you can confirm a winner.
1Hand out scorecards
Print the scorecards. Each A4 sheet holds two A5 cards, so cut them down the middle. Every card is different, so luck plays a part. Hand out one per player or pair, with a pen or marker.
2Name the way to win, then press play
Choose your game, audio or video, and tell the room the winning pattern, like 1 line or the X, and whether you're playing on to Blackout. Then press play and sing along. It's half the fun.
3Cross off the songs
Each song plays for 25 seconds. When players hear a song that's on their card, they cross it off. Games move fast: a quick fire game runs 7 to 27 minutes, depending on the pattern and how many cards are in play.
4Someone yells BINGO!
Pause the game and look up their card number on the answer key: it shows the exact song that completes each pattern on that card. Read their songs out on the microphone so the whole room is in on it. If the card checks out, hand over the prize. See checking a winner below.
5End it there, or play on
Finish at the first prize, or press play again and carry on to Blackout for a second prize. You choose the prizes. Keep it simple or go big: the reveal matters more than the value.
Need inspiration? See our prize ideas.
6Take a break, then the next game
Every game pack has four quick fire games. Between games, give people time to order food and drinks, and run a crowd game for a bonus prize. Start the next game when everyone's set.
Is it really Bingo?
Our Game Validation Engine does the hard work before the night starts. For every scorecard, it works out the exact song that completes each pattern, so checking a winner takes seconds. You get two sheets: the call list (every song, numbered 1 to 75 in the order it plays, with its play time) and the answer key (every card number, with the song number that completes each pattern on that card).
Step 1: Pause and note the song
Pause the game, find the song that just played on the call list and note its number.
Step 2: Get the card number
Ask for the scorecard and read the card number printed on it.
Step 3: Find it on the answer key
Find that card number, then read across to the column for the pattern you're playing.
Step 4: Compare the two numbers
If the answer key number is the same as or lower than the song you're up to, it's a winner. If it's higher, the card isn't there yet, so resume the game.
Call list. Song 16 has just played.
| No. | Time | Song |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | 5:06 | Just Like Jesse James · Cher |
| 14 | 5:29 | Birds Of A Feather · Billie Eilish |
| 15 | 5:52 | Green Green Grass · George Ezra |
| 16 | 6:15 | Little Red Corvette · Prince |
| 17 | 6:38 | Baby Got Back · Sir Mix a Lot |
Answer key. Cards 040 and 041 both call Bingo.
| Card | 1 Line | 2 Lines | 3 Lines | X | Blackout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 039 | 50 | 64 | 67 | 74 | 74 |
| 040 | 15 | 58 | 62 | 74 | 74 |
| 041 | 37 | 52 | 67 | 67 | 75 |
| 042 | 36 | 65 | 66 | 75 | 75 |
Card 040, winner. The answer key says 15. That's lower than 16, so the card completed its line on song 15, Green Green Grass. Award the prize.
Card 041, not yet. The answer key says 37. That's higher than 16, so this card needs another 21 songs. Have a laugh with them and resume.
What you need
- A laptop or Orange Door system, plus speakers
- TVs, if you're running the video version
- Printed scorecards, with a few spares
- The printed call list and answer key
- Pens or markers that work
- Prizes for your winners
- A microphone, and a big smile
Running it on the night? See the step-by-step host guides for Orange Door, the video game and the audio game.
Ready to bring the beats?
Get in touch to organise a trial with one of our team, or log in to download this week's games.